Speedometer bouncing under 35mph
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Speedometer bouncing under 35mph
I have a 1968 f100 with a 360ci. My speedometer is bouncing until i reach about 35mph. I only have a basic understanding of how the system works. I Believe the coil is catching, then releasing on the wheel until higher speeds when it smooths out. If this is the case, should I just lubricate the whole system or replace everything?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Possible maladies:
- Worn odometer/speedo gear in the instrument cluster
- A speedo cable that is not fully seated and threaded into the back of the cluster
- Worn/missing teeth on either the drive gear in the trans or driven gear on the speedo cable.
- Speedo cable is unraveling in its jacket until it binds to provide a steady reading.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
2X. Only make it something thin like 3-N-1 household oil. Or I know Harley Davidson has a real good cable lube. Pricey though.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Inside the speedo cable housing is a woven steel core that is supposed to be lubed every so often, but most people are unaware.
When the lube dries out, the woven steel core binds up inside the housing, eventually snaps. Auto parts stores sell a universal woven steel core kit. Cut it to length, install in the housing.
Originally, Ford recommended white lithium grease for the core, but today...most people use graphite as it doesn't attract dust like grease does.
When the lube dries out, the woven steel core binds up inside the housing, eventually snaps. Auto parts stores sell a universal woven steel core kit. Cut it to length, install in the housing.
Originally, Ford recommended white lithium grease for the core, but today...most people use graphite as it doesn't attract dust like grease does.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
[QUOTE=NumberDummy;15251176]Inside the speedo cable housing is a woven steel core that is supposed to be lubed every so often, but most people are unaware.
When the lube dries out, the woven steel core binds up inside the housing, eventually snaps. Auto parts stores sell a universal woven steel core kit. Cut it to length, install in the housing.
QUOTE]
Yep. Or a cut to fit 17262 cable kit. The reason I didn't mention it is because here in AZ I've found that most times the inner cable core wears in to the woven steel core that Bill mentioned. Lubing it doesn't help so therefore a new cable core won't either. I'd try lubing it 1st. Maybe OP will get lucky and it's only the dried up grease like in Cali. But you're prolly going to end up buying a new speedo cable assembly like I've ran across here.
When the lube dries out, the woven steel core binds up inside the housing, eventually snaps. Auto parts stores sell a universal woven steel core kit. Cut it to length, install in the housing.
QUOTE]
Yep. Or a cut to fit 17262 cable kit. The reason I didn't mention it is because here in AZ I've found that most times the inner cable core wears in to the woven steel core that Bill mentioned. Lubing it doesn't help so therefore a new cable core won't either. I'd try lubing it 1st. Maybe OP will get lucky and it's only the dried up grease like in Cali. But you're prolly going to end up buying a new speedo cable assembly like I've ran across here.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Inside the speedo cable housing is a woven steel core that is supposed to be lubed every so often, but most people are unaware.
When the lube dries out, the woven steel core binds up inside the housing, eventually snaps. Auto parts stores sell a universal woven steel core kit. Cut it to length, install in the housing.
When the lube dries out, the woven steel core binds up inside the housing, eventually snaps. Auto parts stores sell a universal woven steel core kit. Cut it to length, install in the housing.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
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From: Phoenix, Az.
C5AZ17262B, .13 core diameter...135" long.
B9T17262E, .15 core diameter....175" long.
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Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Their advertising catch phrase: No Bull!
My sister bought a new '75 LTD Country Squire there, it was the first wagon I ever saw with cloth seats.
My sister bought a new '75 LTD Country Squire there, it was the first wagon I ever saw with cloth seats.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
Ha-ha! You are correct. The reason he said that is because it had it's **ts cut. It was then a "steer" he was sitting on.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
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From: **** hole San Jose ca.
A bent out of shape bend in the cable housing can cause it to bounce around low speeds..
You figure the yrs of use the cable has gone through.
A few days ago saw a nos speedometer replacement on ebay But ,I'd start by installing a new cable and housing, then replace speedometer itself if needed.
A lot of us just built are own custom dash with aftermarket electronic gauges.
Orich
You figure the yrs of use the cable has gone through.
A few days ago saw a nos speedometer replacement on ebay But ,I'd start by installing a new cable and housing, then replace speedometer itself if needed.
A lot of us just built are own custom dash with aftermarket electronic gauges.
Orich
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