The Ford Barn

Deuce Man · 02-26-2016, 12:40 PM

The speedometer in my 46 makes a racket when it is cold, quiets down after 10 miles or so. I have it disconnected for now. Is there an easy lube fix in place, or do I have to pull it out? Thanks Rich

tonydennisadw · 02-26-2016, 12:57 PM

mine did same thing when cold out i got lucky unscrewed from speedometer end carefully put cable back in tightened back up and hasnt done since and its been cold here in oh not only did it make noise but needle jumped with it.......

Jack E/NJ · 02-26-2016, 01:57 PM

A bit of sewing machine oil allowed to dribble down the speedometer end can help if it needs more lube. However, it could also be due to the cable being a bit too long in its sheath (or the cable ends not fully seated) which tends to bunchup/bind the cable and also result in a tick and/or an erratic needle particularly at low speeds.

Jack E/NJ

rotorwrench · 02-26-2016, 02:05 PM

The rotating magnet is a relatively close fit to the drag cup that is attached to the needle & spring. On older instruments with some wear on the bearings, the cup can drag against the magnet until things get warmed up and expanded to normal size. The bushings can also get noisy when they have been dry too long. Many of these old units have an oil wick that can be accessed and re-oiled if you know where to look for it.

flatheadfan · 02-26-2016, 04:30 PM

Here is a picture of a '35 Delco speedometer oil wick.

Tom

fordor41 · 02-27-2016, 12:17 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by flatheadfan

Here is a picture of a '35 Delco speedometer oil wick.

Tom

Exactly. My guess id the bushing is dry. Oil will probably do wonders. Fords also have that wick hole. I remove the speedo, run it slowly with a battery drill and feed oil into the wick. Always seems to work for me.

19Fordy · 02-27-2016, 12:00 PM

Be sure to have the cable horizontal with no bends as it screws into the speedo.
Support it with a wire tie.

Johnnydidd · 02-27-2016, 02:56 PM

I used 3 in 1 oil took while but quit noise after a couple days.

Deuce Man · 02-27-2016, 05:48 PM

Jack E, I think you had the answer. I put the cable back on the speedometer and left it a few turns shy of bottoming. Took it for a ride and it was absolutely silent. Thanks guys! Rich

Ken/Alabama · 02-27-2016, 07:56 PM

Pull the speedo out and remove it from the housing then lube it. It's not that big of a job. Then pull the cable from the housing and wipe it down with grease then slide it back in the housing.

02-26-2016, 12:40 PM	#1
Deuce Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Palm City FL> Posts: 556	Noisey speedo The speedometer in my 46 makes a racket when it is cold, quiets down after 10 miles or so. I have it disconnected for now. Is there an easy lube fix in place, or do I have to pull it out? Thanks Rich

02-26-2016, 12:57 PM	#2
tonydennisadw Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: sw ohio Posts: 130	Re: Noisey speedo mine did same thing when cold out i got lucky unscrewed from speedometer end carefully put cable back in tightened back up and hasnt done since and its been cold here in oh not only did it make noise but needle jumped with it.......

02-26-2016, 01:57 PM	#3
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,260	Re: Noisey speedo A bit of sewing machine oil allowed to dribble down the speedometer end can help if it needs more lube. However, it could also be due to the cable being a bit too long in its sheath (or the cable ends not fully seated) which tends to bunchup/bind the cable and also result in a tick and/or an erratic needle particularly at low speeds. Jack E/NJ

02-26-2016, 02:05 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 17,411	Re: Noisey speedo The rotating magnet is a relatively close fit to the drag cup that is attached to the needle & spring. On older instruments with some wear on the bearings, the cup can drag against the magnet until things get warmed up and expanded to normal size. The bushings can also get noisy when they have been dry too long. Many of these old units have an oil wick that can be accessed and re-oiled if you know where to look for it.

02-27-2016, 12:00 PM	#7
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,606	Re: Noisey speedo Be sure to have the cable horizontal with no bends as it screws into the speedo. Support it with a wire tie.

02-27-2016, 02:56 PM	#8
Johnnydidd Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Overland Park, Ks Posts: 559	Re: Noisey speedo I used 3 in 1 oil took while but quit noise after a couple days.

02-27-2016, 05:48 PM	#9
Deuce Man Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Palm City FL> Posts: 556	Re: Noisey speedo Jack E, I think you had the answer. I put the cable back on the speedometer and left it a few turns shy of bottoming. Took it for a ride and it was absolutely silent. Thanks guys! Rich

02-27-2016, 07:56 PM	#10
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,395	Re: Noisey speedo Pull the speedo out and remove it from the housing then lube it. It's not that big of a job. Then pull the cable from the housing and wipe it down with grease then slide it back in the housing.