Speedometer noise question
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 102
Likes: 5
Speedometer noise question
I have noticed that in cold (25 or below) my speedometer needle would behave erratically, bouncing up and down, then would settle down, presumably after the cable and head had warmed up.. I could live with that. But last Thursday it started to bounce. then began to sound like a can full of ball bearings bouncing around. Placing my hand on the face I could feel the vibrations, but on the panel I could barely feel it, hence I think it is in the head. When slowing down the noise would slow, going away below about 5 mph. This is a simple round speedometer/ odometer on my 66 P100. It's supposed to warm up this week, I'm going to disconnect the cable to try to isolate the problem. I lubed the cable a few months ago, any suggestions as far as the head goes? The odometer function did not seem to be affected, just the speedo needle and the unbearable noise. Thanks for any ideas you may have.
John
John
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 340
Likes: 21
From: Weaverville NC
Hi John,
I have a '65 F-100. My speedo used to bounce too . The odometer worked fine too (like yours is). The bouncing was so much...I did not know what my speed was.
I saw someone here who spoke of the same troubles you & I were having with the speedometer. Someone else said there is a shop in Pontiac Mi. that fixes speedos.
So I contacted them. I asked for a quote. I don't remember the cost now. They did a jam up job. Even made a new cable. The one that goes from transm. to speedo.
Now my red needle is sure & steady. I know my mph.
The shop contact info...Scott Speedometer Service Corp.
196-198 W. Walton Blvd.
Pontiac Mi.48340
248-338-4148
scottspeedometer.com
PS, As I recall, Mr Scott said to use white lithium grease every 10 yrs in the cable. Want to end by saying...they treated me highly, sent the reworked head I sent them back in a sturdy box, even painted the red needle darker, could not be more pleased.
Hope this helps, Pete
I have a '65 F-100. My speedo used to bounce too . The odometer worked fine too (like yours is). The bouncing was so much...I did not know what my speed was.
I saw someone here who spoke of the same troubles you & I were having with the speedometer. Someone else said there is a shop in Pontiac Mi. that fixes speedos.
So I contacted them. I asked for a quote. I don't remember the cost now. They did a jam up job. Even made a new cable. The one that goes from transm. to speedo.
Now my red needle is sure & steady. I know my mph.
The shop contact info...Scott Speedometer Service Corp.
196-198 W. Walton Blvd.
Pontiac Mi.48340
248-338-4148
scottspeedometer.com
PS, As I recall, Mr Scott said to use white lithium grease every 10 yrs in the cable. Want to end by saying...they treated me highly, sent the reworked head I sent them back in a sturdy box, even painted the red needle darker, could not be more pleased.
Hope this helps, Pete
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 16
From: Hesperia CA
FWIW, I've been inside the instruments on my old Yamaha, and while I'm still not sure how they work, here's what I found. The cable turns a drum and inside the drum is a very close fitting piece that the needle pivots on. I dunno if it's air pressure, static electricity, FM, or what ... but as the drum spins it somehow drags the needle around.
The fail mode is when the pivot gets loose and starts kissing the drum. Flip goes the needle ......
The fail mode is when the pivot gets loose and starts kissing the drum. Flip goes the needle ......
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 102
Likes: 5
Thanks for the replies. It warmed up enough that I was able to disconnect the cable. I drove it about 15 miles with the cable off, no noise. I may try a shot of white lithium, if that doesn't help I'll weigh repair vs. replacement.
John
John
More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 554
Likes: 13
When you say you lubed the cable, did you clean it with a chemical cleaner that will break down grease such as brake clean, snd then put new lithium grease on?
did you clean the housing also? Both need to be very clean, soaking them is best I found. I fought the same issue with mine until I soaked it and made sure it was extra clean. Just a thought.
did you clean the housing also? Both need to be very clean, soaking them is best I found. I fought the same issue with mine until I soaked it and made sure it was extra clean. Just a thought.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 102
Likes: 5
I can't remember now if I used brake clean or carb cleaner, whichever one was handy! I used graphite and several drops of 3 in 1, I may pull it out, clean it again and use white grease tomorrow and see what happens, I haven't touched it today like I planned.
John
John
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 52
Likes: 3
My 1953 Ford Customline started doing this in winter 2020, a few months after I bought it. It sounded like a grinder behind the speedometer and it was unbearable. I found the little hole on top of the cable and dropped some oil in there and it hasn't done it since.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
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The old-time mechanics had a special tool to oil the speedometer shaft. It screwed on the back of the speedo like the cable does and, when pressed, would insert just a little oil around the bushing. It might be worth it, as Columbus stated above, to see if you can get a little oil in the shaft hole on top of the speedometer inlet, or onto the small bushing at the inlet, where it spins. I would also suggest Tri-flow for something like that, as it has a very good tendency to wick into tight spaces and find its way in. As well, Tri-Flow only takes a tiny bit to help a lot.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2020
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I didn't get a chance yesterday to do anything and the snow storm today kind of discouraged me from standing in the driveway messing with anything. reonateur reminded me that I have seen that tool back when I was a youngun! There were several mechanics that could have helped me out, unfortunately they are no longer with us, kinda makes me feel old!
John
John
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 60
From: Hemet ca.
I didn't get a chance yesterday to do anything and the snow storm today kind of discouraged me from standing in the driveway messing with anything. reonateur reminded me that I have seen that tool back when I was a youngun! There were several mechanics that could have helped me out, unfortunately they are no longer with us, kinda makes me feel old!
John
John
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