Speedometer Needle Bouncing
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From: Anacortes
Speedometer Needle Bouncing
My spedometer gauge works but when I hit bumps the needle tends to bounce back and forth a lot. Is there a fix for this or should I plan on getting a new gauge?
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From: Anacortes
Oh is the cable easy to replace? I know it unplugs fairly easy on the cluster, not sure about the other end or exactly where it goes. It runs off the vacuum doesn't it?
I did put a new gasket in the cluster when I cleaned up the cluster.
I did put a new gasket in the cluster when I cleaned up the cluster.
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From: Pa.
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From: Anacortes
If you've mastered plugging and unplugging the cable from the speedometer then the hardest part is over IMHO, Fishing it through the cab and unbolting it from the trans and your there taking note of the gear on the trans end by taking a picture . Before you replace the cable make sure you've got the cable mated well at both ends and snug things down but only about 15ft. lbs. on the cable to tans bolt with a bit of locktite so she doesn't come lose on you. That's it
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From: Pa.
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From: Anacortes
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From: Pa.
The only vacuum control on the trans is the vacuum modulator in the case of an auto trans.and it's on the passenger side of the tranny.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: New Hampshire
Read this for my adventures in resolving a bouncing speedo cable.
Tbruz
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-resolved.html
Tbruz
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-resolved.html
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arlington,Wa
It's possible to remove the cable from the outer jacket. I had the same issue on my 79. At the speedo end I noticed there was a small obstruction interfering with how the cable spun so I removed the cable, took a drill bit that was just a little bigger in diameter and cleaned it up. Shot some white lithium down into the outer jacket and reinstalled the cable and buttoned it up. No more bouncy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Pelham Alabama
79F-150 has the idea.
Somo of the older cars and trucks you could disc. the spedo from the trans, then pull the cabel out twisting as it comes out.
Clean it off real good put a little grease all the way up.
Then push the cable in by twisting and pushing at the same time as the cable reached the spedo twist slowly until the square end slips into the spedo.
Not sure about these trucks because I have not had a reason to try to remove it.
Somo of the older cars and trucks you could disc. the spedo from the trans, then pull the cabel out twisting as it comes out.
Clean it off real good put a little grease all the way up.
Then push the cable in by twisting and pushing at the same time as the cable reached the spedo twist slowly until the square end slips into the spedo.
Not sure about these trucks because I have not had a reason to try to remove it.
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From: San Jose, CA
All this talk of cables causing the problem is probably the most common reason, but the OP says his needle bounces when he hits a bump. Is that also potentially cable related?
Or is that just an undamped needle mechanism? Maybe a worn out gauge instead of the cable?
Or is that just an undamped needle mechanism? Maybe a worn out gauge instead of the cable?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
All this talk of cables causing the problem is probably the most common reason, but the OP says his needle bounces when he hits a bump. Is that also potentially cable related?
Or is that just an undamped needle mechanism? Maybe a worn out gauge instead of the cable?
Or is that just an undamped needle mechanism? Maybe a worn out gauge instead of the cable?
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Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
When I added the Advance Adapter over drive that pushed the transmission back 7.5 inches.
This was enough to make the bend into the transmission a little tighter and that made the needle bounce just about all the time.
I can see if cable is not susported and hit a bump and the cable moves and the issues starts.
If it is the speedo end how would you fix it?
Cant really use oil as that would gum up over time.
Maybe it has dirt on the pivot that needs to be cleaned off?
Dave ----
This was enough to make the bend into the transmission a little tighter and that made the needle bounce just about all the time.
I can see if cable is not susported and hit a bump and the cable moves and the issues starts.
If it is the speedo end how would you fix it?
Cant really use oil as that would gum up over time.
Maybe it has dirt on the pivot that needs to be cleaned off?
Dave ----
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From: Anacortes
All this talk of cables causing the problem is probably the most common reason, but the OP says his needle bounces when he hits a bump. Is that also potentially cable related?
Or is that just an undamped needle mechanism? Maybe a worn out gauge instead of the cable?
Or is that just an undamped needle mechanism? Maybe a worn out gauge instead of the cable?
I know the price and availbilty of the gauge, if the problem is with the gauge and fixable I would, I don't know how easy it is to pull those apart and if its worth my time. Internal parts may be worn down and who knows if they are somethinfmg you could find easy. I imaginge its probably 2 or 3 plastic gears and maybe a clock spring in there.
Helped take one apart off an '85 suburban once and that didn't go well.