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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Bumpsides Ford Truck

Lube for Speedometer?

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Old Dec 20, 2016 | 06:17 PM
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Lube for Speedometer?

What have you found that is best for lubing the speedo cable? I thought I broke my cable today cuz I looked down and it wasnt working. Pulled my cable and it looks good so I pulled the speedo gear from the t-case and its good and the nylon gear inside the t-case looks good also. Not sure if the something grenaded inside the cluster or what. I want to lube the cable before I put it back in but wasnt sure what would be best for lube. Also, any idea what might of happened? Ive never had a problem with the cluster part of the speedo.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2016 | 06:26 PM
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What yr & model it your truck f100 or f250
My 71 f250 with np24 had a steel TFC gear
Orich
 
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Old Dec 20, 2016 | 06:41 PM
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Truck is a 67 f250 highboy but I swapped in the NP205 which uses a nylon gear that the speedometer cable gear runs on. Both look great. The gear inside the tcase and the speedo gear. Thats why I'm thinking something quit inside the cluster.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2016 | 06:51 PM
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They sell it at any hardware store, it's basically graphite in some carrier solvent like Kero. Don't spill any, it's worse than Anti-sieze for getting in or on everything you don't want.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2016 | 06:55 PM
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I think ford could have made the cable a couple inches longer, It kind of sags an cause the cable to be bouncy. when straighten it up it stopped a lot of the erratic movement.
But the cable has a memory to return to a bend at the TFC was what, I found happening.
Orich
 
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Old Dec 20, 2016 | 11:14 PM
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Originally Posted by KsHighboy
What have you found that is best for lubing the speedo cable? I thought I broke my cable today cuz I looked down and it wasnt working. Pulled my cable and it looks good so I pulled the speedo gear from the t-case and its good and the nylon gear inside the t-case looks good also. Not sure if the something grenaded inside the cluster or what. I want to lube the cable before I put it back in but wasnt sure what would be best for lube. Also, any idea what might of happened? Ive never had a problem with the cluster part of the speedo.
Here is this link scroll down to #4 and read, hope this helps
Tasboj...........................
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...l#post13886166
 
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Old Dec 21, 2016 | 12:37 AM
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2x Tedster9, comments. Graphite, in a spray, is what I found works well. Don't try to use grease! You'll end up having to take the speedo case off and waste a lot of time cleaning out the greasy goo. I'm sure that there is a light weight synthrtic oil that would work out there somewhere. But I don't know what it is, does anyone else?
 
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Old Dec 21, 2016 | 07:52 AM
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I also used a old can of some Military spec dry spray of Graphite on then added wd-40.

But have since gone with a electronic pick up a just a short length of about 10" cable extension cause the pickup unit was was just a little to tight of area to get the locking fingers bolt tighten down so just used a extension to make it all workable.
Orich
 
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Old Dec 21, 2016 | 09:18 AM
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I use the spray white lithium grease , it comes out as a liquid then solidifies.
Most motorcycle shops sell it .
 
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 11:22 AM
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I just ran across Ford's PTFE lubricant for driveshaft slip yoke splines is also recommended by them to lube speedo cables. It's still available from your local Ford Dealer.
Ford Motorcraft part number XG8A is a 1 lb. container.
Ford Motorcraft part number XG8 is a 3 oz. tube.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 03:19 PM
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Thank you Jeff. I ended up using a dry graphite spray. Worked good. But I may check into the motorcraft ptfe.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 03:25 PM
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Originally Posted by KsHighboy
Thank you Jeff. I ended up using a dry graphite spray. Worked good. But I may check into the motorcraft ptfe.
You're welcome. Mainly I was telling ours and other boards. I know we have had a few people build threads asking what to use to lubricate their speedo cables.
Ford says it is also good for squeaks between plastic parts. Bet it would also be good for squeaky door hinges in one's house also. I think next time I buy something here at my work I'll buy one of these 3 oz. tubes for my house and trucks.
 
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Old Jan 26, 2017 | 08:23 PM
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My speedometer used to read all over the place or sometimes not work at all. did the cable thing and still no difference. So I took out the whole cluster, took off the back to expose the inner workings, then gently cleaned every visible part with air. i then used a light spray of wd40 on the same parts. I also noted that the spring that puts tension on the needle was now clean ,when before was all dusty and dirty. Put it all back together and it's been working fine ever since. Note: go lightly on the wd40 or you will stain your speedometer face.
 
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