Bouncy speedometer??
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
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Bouncy speedometer??
Is there a fix for a speedometer that has a bounce or wobble?
When driving between 35-50mph my speedo likes to bounce from 35-50. I have no idea how it works in there but my dash is apart and nows a good time to try a fix.
When driving between 35-50mph my speedo likes to bounce from 35-50. I have no idea how it works in there but my dash is apart and nows a good time to try a fix.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Inside the speedometer cable's housing is a woven steel core that is supposed to be lubed every so often, but many people are unaware.
When the lube dries out, the speedo's needle bounces, and...sooner or later...the steel core binds up inside the housing...and snaps.
Autoparts stores sell a 'universal' woven steel core kit. You cut it to length, coat it with a fine film of white lithium grease or graphite, install in the housing.
When the lube dries out, the speedo's needle bounces, and...sooner or later...the steel core binds up inside the housing...and snaps.
Autoparts stores sell a 'universal' woven steel core kit. You cut it to length, coat it with a fine film of white lithium grease or graphite, install in the housing.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,396
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From: Cupertino
Bill, after you cut the cable to length, don't you need to make the round ends square to engage the speedo and trans? How do you do it? With a hammer? I have the same problem, grease doesn't fix.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
The cable just pulls out of the tube. I pull mine out and add about 1 oz of Ford moly grease into the tube with a grease gun and a needle.Then slide the cable in and slide it back and forth to get the grease through all parts of the tube.
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This thread is making me curious-er and curious-er. Good info, but I haven't crawled under the 69 F250 to have a look...so it's hard for me to visualize. I can pull the speed cable at the gauge and at the tranny...pull the cable out, smear it with white grease...and then put it back, right? Or do I have to deal with special cable ends at both places? I know there's a speedo gear in the C6, but I've never seen how/where the cable connects to the gauge. Can someone set me straight?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The cable ends will be on the original woven steel core you remove from the housing.
If the woven steel core has snapped, the autoparts store woven steel core kit includes 2 cable ends.
Since the kit is a universal fitz-all, the cable has to be cut to length...then the cable ends are installed.
C6: The replaceable speedo DRIVEN gear is at the end of the cable. The speedo DRIVE gear is made as part of the output shaft, cannot be replaced by itself.
If the woven steel core has snapped, the autoparts store woven steel core kit includes 2 cable ends.
Since the kit is a universal fitz-all, the cable has to be cut to length...then the cable ends are installed.
C6: The replaceable speedo DRIVEN gear is at the end of the cable. The speedo DRIVE gear is made as part of the output shaft, cannot be replaced by itself.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The autoparts store universal 'fitz-all' kit is just the woven steel core and the cable ends, does not include the housing. This kit fits myriad different vehicles, not just Fords.
The woven steel core is removed from the housing to lubricate it, removed if it has snapped in two. The last time I removed the core from the housing, Nixon was prez, so I'm a little foggy on which end it comes out.
And since it was a 1939 Packard I was working on, if I guessed which way...Ford may be different.
The woven steel core is removed from the housing to lubricate it, removed if it has snapped in two. The last time I removed the core from the housing, Nixon was prez, so I'm a little foggy on which end it comes out.
And since it was a 1939 Packard I was working on, if I guessed which way...Ford may be different.
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 13
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From: Fountain Inn SC
speedo still bouncing
I replaced the cable and it still bounces like it did before. Mine is a 91 Ford F150 4x4 with a 302. It has the aod transmission. Could it be the cluster..also my tach needles stays at 4000 all the time..thanks..Joe