Speedometer issues.

[mrmopar340]

Hey everyone. Looking for some help on a speedometer issue. Recently replaced my speedometer cable. Driving down the road and heard a sound that I thought was a transmission noise. I stopped and the noise stopped. Since I couldn't figure the noise out I fired it back up and was heading home ASAP to try and figure it out. I didn't drive more than a mile and heard a pop and the needle on my speedometer broke off. I'm wondering what may have caused this and what I can do in the future to avoid this. I also wonder what caused this. Cable improperly lubed? Issue with the speedometer itself. Repops are expensive and I dont want to do it twice. I will be replacing both items and any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[S Vicious]

I fired it back up and was heading home ASAP

How fast were you going!...LOL

 

[mrmopar340]

About 50 or so. Ive pushed above the century mark but not at that particular time.

 

[Deathproofcuda]

I experienced a similar issue a few years back. Driving down the road, speedometer was making a growling noise and top 2/3 of the needle broke off. I read a bunch of posts online and did the following:

1. Used a small diameter sewing needle and a few drops of super glue to splint the broken needle.
2. Took the speedometer cable apart for cleaning and re-lubed it.

After the repairs, I tested the speedo by spinning the cable with an electric drill. It was better than before, but still jumped around within certain speed ranges.

So, I sent the speedo to Redline Gauge Works and had it rebuilt. They pointed out that the extra weight of the sewing needle on my pointer was not ideal, so they also replaced that.

I haven't put a ton of miles on the car since the speedo rebuild, but everything seems to be working as it should now. I'm still using my original speedo cable.

Good luck with it!

 

[mrmopar340]

I experienced a similar issue a few years back. Driving down the road, speedometer was making a growling noise and top 2/3 of the needle broke off. I read a bunch of posts online and did the following:

1. Used a small diameter sewing needle and a few drops of super glue to splint the broken needle.
2. Took the speedometer cable apart for cleaning and re-lubed it.

After the repairs, I tested the speedo by spinning the cable with an electric drill. It was better than before, but still jumped around within certain speed ranges.

So, I sent the speedo to Redline Gauge Works and had it rebuilt. They pointed out that the extra weight of the sewing needle on my pointer was not ideal, so they also replaced that.

I haven't put a ton of miles on the car since the speedo rebuild, but everything seems to be working as it should now. I'm still using my original speedo cable.

Good luck with it!

Thanks. Gives me an idea of what to do. What kind of lubrication did you use in the cable?

 

[Deathproofcuda]

Thanks. Gives me an idea of what to do. What kind of lubrication did you use in the cable?

Ha! That's the million dollar question. Like many things, you can Google it, spend countless hours in the rabbit hole of online classic car forums and get a million different recommendations on the absolute "right" way or product to do it with. To be honest, it was long enough ago that I can't remember for sure, but I think I used a can of white lithium grease that was on the shelf.

 

[mrmopar340]

Ha! That's the million dollar question. Like many things, you can Google it, spend countless hours in the rabbit hole of online classic car forums and get a million different recommendations on the absolute "right" way or product to do it with. To be honest, it was long enough ago that I can't remember for sure, but I think I used a can of white lithium grease that was on the shelf.

I've heard that twice now. I'll lean that way.

 

[Huskidrive]

I had the same problem. I bought a repro cable from Mancini and used this.....

Motorcraft PTFE Lubricant Grease #XG-8 .3OZ​

2 years and still quiet and steady.......

 

[mrmopar340]

I had the same problem. I bought a repro cable from Mancini and used this.....

Motorcraft PTFE Lubricant Grease #XG-8 .3OZ​

2 years and still quiet and steady.......

Thank you. My cable was from them as well.