Speedometer Cable Lube? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bfr57 · 05-12-2008, 07:20 PM

My 71's speedometer really chirps and makes alot of noise on cold mornings. The needle will also jump around as much as 10 mph gaps. Once everything warms up, everything goes back to normal. I'm afraid it's going to break one of these mornings. I've taken the cable off the back of instrument panel and tried different types of lubes from WD-40 to oil, but nothing works. Anybody know of something that'll work?

Longhorn Man · 05-12-2008, 07:33 PM

I would pull the cable out, clean it with brak clean, then also clean the cable housing with brake clean... just unplug both ends and hose it out with the stuff, then after an hr or so to dry, I would get some liquid graphite spraty, and spray a bunch in there till it starts pouring out the other end. then slide the cable in and call it good. You'll also want to make sure the cable isn't too short (engine and tranny swaps will cause this if not the same set up as original) and make the bends easy and not tight.

71 super · 05-12-2008, 07:51 PM

Yuo can also get powered graphite lube, mix w/ rubbing alcohol and spray it in using squirt bottle if you can't find graphite in solution already. The alcohl will evaporate and leave the suspended graphite in place - instant cable lube, also works for sticky locks etc that are hard to get at.

**Stocker** · 05-12-2008, 08:03 PM

I'll agree graphite is probably the best -- but I used white lithium grease (maybe 25 years ago?) and have not had a problem since.

Longhorn Man · 05-12-2008, 08:26 PM

white lithium grease can be kinda thick if you are in a colder reigon

PanelDeland · 05-13-2008, 12:40 AM

Lock Eaze,It's a mixture of graphite and something liquid for a carrier.It is great for locks and works well for speedo cables also.I agree with LHM clean everything up good first.

**Stocker** · 05-13-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

white lithium grease can be kinda thick if you are in a colder reigon

I hadn't really considered that. Coldest I've seen here is zero, and it doesn't usually get below about 15 very often...

jimfulco · 05-13-2008, 03:36 AM

I've pulled a couple out and lubed them with wheel bearing grease with no further problems, but it rarely gets below ~10*F here, either.

I'd be hesitant to use rubbing alcohol because it's usually only 70% alcohol, and when that evaporates, the leftover 30% becomes 100% water, which might cause corrosion.

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-13-2008, 03:49 AM

1969 Service manual says 90 wt gear lube for the tach cable,so I think that would be about right for the speedo too.

bfr57 · 05-13-2008, 05:53 AM

So, you can pull the guts out of the exterior sheath and leave that in place? The gear oil idea sounds good, but you know how that stuff smells!

**WorkinLonghorn** · 05-13-2008, 06:25 AM

I use it for cologne. No seriously,yeah,the cable pulls out of the sheath which stays in place. Some of the posts above about cleaning etc. might be good advice.I'd try just oil first though.Always worked for me on trucks cars and bikes.

05-12-2008, 07:20 PM	#1
bfr57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 106	Speedometer Cable Lube? My 71's speedometer really chirps and makes alot of noise on cold mornings. The needle will also jump around as much as 10 mph gaps. Once everything warms up, everything goes back to normal. I'm afraid it's going to break one of these mornings. I've taken the cable off the back of instrument panel and tried different types of lubes from WD-40 to oil, but nothing works. Anybody know of something that'll work?

05-12-2008, 07:33 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? I would pull the cable out, clean it with brak clean, then also clean the cable housing with brake clean... just unplug both ends and hose it out with the stuff, then after an hr or so to dry, I would get some liquid graphite spraty, and spray a bunch in there till it starts pouring out the other end. then slide the cable in and call it good. You'll also want to make sure the cable isn't too short (engine and tranny swaps will cause this if not the same set up as original) and make the bends easy and not tight.

05-12-2008, 07:51 PM	#3
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,079	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? Yuo can also get powered graphite lube, mix w/ rubbing alcohol and spray it in using squirt bottle if you can't find graphite in solution already. The alcohl will evaporate and leave the suspended graphite in place - instant cable lube, also works for sticky locks etc that are hard to get at.

05-12-2008, 08:03 PM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,622	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? I'll agree graphite is probably the best -- but I used white lithium grease (maybe 25 years ago?) and have not had a problem since. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

05-12-2008, 08:26 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? white lithium grease can be kinda thick if you are in a colder reigon

05-13-2008, 12:40 AM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? Lock Eaze,It's a mixture of graphite and something liquid for a carrier.It is great for locks and works well for speedo cables also.I agree with LHM clean everything up good first. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

05-13-2008, 03:36 AM	#8
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? I've pulled a couple out and lubed them with wheel bearing grease with no further problems, but it rarely gets below ~10F here, either. I'd be hesitant to use rubbing alcohol because it's usually only 70% alcohol, and when that evaporates, the leftover 30% becomes 100% water, which might cause corrosion. Last edited by jimfulco; 05-13-2008 at 03:38 AM.*

05-13-2008, 03:49 AM	#9
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,865	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? 1969 Service manual says 90 wt gear lube for the tach cable,so I think that would be about right for the speedo too. __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.

05-13-2008, 05:53 AM	#10
bfr57 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 106	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? So, you can pull the guts out of the exterior sheath and leave that in place? The gear oil idea sounds good, but you know how that stuff smells!

05-13-2008, 06:25 AM	#11
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,865	Re: Speedometer Cable Lube? I use it for cologne. No seriously,yeah,the cable pulls out of the sheath which stays in place. Some of the posts above about cleaning etc. might be good advice.I'd try just oil first though.Always worked for me on trucks cars and bikes. __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. Best $300 I ever spent.



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