Bouncy Speedometer
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Nelson, BC
Bouncy Speedometer
Hey there,
I did some searching around this forum but didn't find anything in regards to bouncing speedometer needles. I did google and find some info. It seems like the cables in some vehicles run out of lube. It seems like a relube could be in my future.
Do Bullnose Fords often suffer from this? Has anyone ever fixed it by lubing the cable? What lube did you use?
Thanks!
I did some searching around this forum but didn't find anything in regards to bouncing speedometer needles. I did google and find some info. It seems like the cables in some vehicles run out of lube. It seems like a relube could be in my future.
Do Bullnose Fords often suffer from this? Has anyone ever fixed it by lubing the cable? What lube did you use?
Thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 991
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio, Texas
I've never tried any kind of lube in my experience, but on any mechanical speedo vehicle I've ever had, I've simply replaced the cable since it was pretty cheap to get.
Not sure how things are on the bullnose front! Usually for things like these I use white lithium grease and call it a day.
Not sure how things are on the bullnose front! Usually for things like these I use white lithium grease and call it a day.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5,958
Likes: 105
From: Houston
There is speedo graphite its a graphite oil I used on mine it helped quite a bit but cooler weather it still bounces on me up to about 20 - 30 mph. Problem for me is I am going to replace my cable but I have two cables as I have factory cruise. I am personally sourcing a NOS unit via part numbers on ebay to replace mine.
Tuned
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 396
Likes: 5
From: Ottawa, Canada
Don't know if our trucks have it as a common problem.
Lubing it is easy. Take the necessary screws out to take your gauge panel out. You can reach in behind the gauges and unclip the connector with all the wires. I think you push in the cable housing and turn it to pop it off the speedo. Take the bolt off the tranny/transfer case and slide it out of there. Take the clip off the gear, you can now pull the cable out of the tube from the cab.
I used just a thick multipurpose grease (for bearings etc.) about 2 years ago and daily driven with no issues yet. I just ran the cable through the bucket of grease, took 30 sec and began reinstalling. Any thick grease that won't run I'm sure would be fine. You just don't want it to run down or dry up, and the cable doesn't spin that fast.
Slide the cable down the tube, put the gear and clip on, bolt it into the tranny/transfer case. Put the dash back together.
It's an easy task, and you get to have a look at the gears to see if they are getting worn out.
Lubing it is easy. Take the necessary screws out to take your gauge panel out. You can reach in behind the gauges and unclip the connector with all the wires. I think you push in the cable housing and turn it to pop it off the speedo. Take the bolt off the tranny/transfer case and slide it out of there. Take the clip off the gear, you can now pull the cable out of the tube from the cab.
I used just a thick multipurpose grease (for bearings etc.) about 2 years ago and daily driven with no issues yet. I just ran the cable through the bucket of grease, took 30 sec and began reinstalling. Any thick grease that won't run I'm sure would be fine. You just don't want it to run down or dry up, and the cable doesn't spin that fast.
Slide the cable down the tube, put the gear and clip on, bolt it into the tranny/transfer case. Put the dash back together.
It's an easy task, and you get to have a look at the gears to see if they are getting worn out.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 7,178
Likes: 1,174
Here's the only gotcha: How to disconnect the cable from the back of the speedometer. Once you know the trick, it's easy. Not so much when working by Braille and trying to figure it out the first time.
This video shows a '73-79 Ford truck, but Ford used the same style connector for many years. You have to push the outer collar sideways to unlock, then pull the whole cable assembly straight out:
Don't forget if you have factory speed control, you'll have a 2-piece cable with a speed sensor in the middle. It's usually the top half that need lube. Gear oil from the transmission tends to seep into the lower half and keep it lubed.
This video shows a '73-79 Ford truck, but Ford used the same style connector for many years. You have to push the outer collar sideways to unlock, then pull the whole cable assembly straight out:
Don't forget if you have factory speed control, you'll have a 2-piece cable with a speed sensor in the middle. It's usually the top half that need lube. Gear oil from the transmission tends to seep into the lower half and keep it lubed.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
barked-knuckles
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
May 27, 2009 08:45 PM
64fordf100292
Y-Block V8 (239, 272, 292, 312, 317, 341, 368)
2
Sep 16, 2007 07:20 AM
XLT79Ranger
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Aug 13, 2002 10:15 PM
