Bouncing Speedo

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by knucklebusted, May 25, 2017.

  1. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    My speedo bounces quite a bit below 10MPH and pulses a bit up to 20MPH before it finally smooths out. It is off/slow by about 10% as well but I'm sure that is fixable via driven gears in the tranny.

    What causes the bouncy needle? Is it something to do with the cable, cable housing or speedo itself?
     
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I suspect the cable is binding
     
    436'd Skylark likes this.
  3. cluxford

    cluxford Well-Known Member

    That's why I call em velocity estimators
     
  4. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    lube the cable
     
  5. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    I researched "Bouncing Speedo". I don't think this is quite the same...........

    <iframe width="640" height="360" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    I agree with this:
     
  6. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Ok, I'll pull the cable and see what it looks like. I thought I greased it a few years back with something. What is the proper lube & quantity?
     
  7. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    I still have a decades-old tube of AC Delco stuff labelled "Speedometer Cable Lubricant". It looks, smells and feels just like thick white lithium grease. No instructions on the back, so I'd simply say use some lithium grease, "apply liberally" and put it all back together!

    Devon
     
  8. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Sounds like a good rainy day project, which tomorrow is supposed to be. Got an old tube of the white stuff and I'll try that.

    Does it come out at the top or bottom? Best I remember, it comes out from the dash end and not the trans end.
     
  9. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    The cable itself loads into the cable housing/jacket/sleeve/whatever from the speedometer side. The pain is getting up under the dash, at least in my '67 'cat. There's a spring clip around the cable housing at the speedometer, it can be a challenge to push the spring clip toward the cluster with one finger while pulling the cable housing away.

    Devon
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2017
  10. Stratoflow

    Stratoflow Member

    I have always used normal 10-30W motor oil. Two teaspoons is enough to lubricate the whole cable, unplug the top end and let it soak in overnight. Needs to be repeated once every 10 years.
     
  11. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    I have used graphite, after removing the cable from the housing.
     
  12. Stampy

    Stampy Well-Known Member

    The bouncing speedometer is one of my favorite things about driving old cars!
     
  13. Waterboy

    Waterboy Mullet Mafia since 6/20

    Knuclebusted, I guess you are back from sweating your butt off in Jacksonville. I'm still shivering in the mountains of Virginia. I agree with Jerry on lubricant and I'd like to thank Jerry for the "girls on trampolines" too! I sure miss "The Man Show!!!"
     
    knucklebusted likes this.
  14. Smokey15

    Smokey15 So old that I use AARP bolts.

    Welcome, John. I miss that show as well.
     
  15. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    Yes, I had to go back to work to get some rest! It was fun!
     

Share This Page