The Ford Barn

LSGUN · 11-23-2011, 06:32 PM

My speedo has been sticking/unsticking and making terrible noises so I think it's time for a rebuild or new cable/lube. I'm supposed to drive the car over to my girlfriend's house for Thanksgiving tomorrow, so I was wondering if I could just disconnect it at the torque tube in the mean time. Will this cause the transmission to leak fluid or will it be alright?

Sparky · 11-23-2011, 08:10 PM

Should be OK, the transmission is separated from this area. The speedo drive shares lubrication with the universal joint.

LSGUN · 11-23-2011, 08:17 PM

Thanks, that is what I figured. I noticed the replacement gears from brattons are made from a different material and it mentioned you don't need grease. I'll cover up the cable hole with a cap or something to keep dirt out.

LSGUN · 11-23-2011, 10:36 PM

Anybody else?

KGBnut · 11-23-2011, 10:43 PM

I had a similar problem with my '30 Coupe not long ago. I drove around for a few days with the lower end of the cable disconnected.

Ultimately I just greased the cable thoroughly, and then opened up the speedo and re-packed the grease in the worm gear. All the noises went away.

FL&WVMIKE · 11-23-2011, 10:45 PM

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LSGUN ......................
It might be that your inner cable needs lubrication. I've always just used plain ole Vasoline. Just pull it out, clean it and re-insert it, feeding it plenty of vasoline. Make sure that your cable has no sharp bends. Make it as straight as you can.
MIKE

LSGUN · 11-23-2011, 11:09 PM

I'll definitely pull it apart and lube up the inner cable, I was just short on time today and didn't have time to pull the gauge cluster apart. I already disconnected it at the gear drive and didn't notice anything leaking, but I haven't drove it yet.

It did have oil around the area but I think that is from the gear oil leaking and trickling down to the gear drive. I think it'll be fine, it's a 40 mile round trip and I'll be taking off in the morning.

11-23-2011, 06:32 PM	#1
LSGUN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: TX Posts: 259	Speedometer cable question My speedo has been sticking/unsticking and making terrible noises so I think it's time for a rebuild or new cable/lube. I'm supposed to drive the car over to my girlfriend's house for Thanksgiving tomorrow, so I was wondering if I could just disconnect it at the torque tube in the mean time. Will this cause the transmission to leak fluid or will it be alright?

11-23-2011, 08:10 PM	#2
Sparky Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 650	Re: Speedometer cable question Should be OK, the transmission is separated from this area. The speedo drive shares lubrication with the universal joint.

11-23-2011, 08:17 PM	#3
LSGUN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: TX Posts: 259	Re: Speedometer cable question Thanks, that is what I figured. I noticed the replacement gears from brattons are made from a different material and it mentioned you don't need grease. I'll cover up the cable hole with a cap or something to keep dirt out.

11-23-2011, 10:36 PM	#4
LSGUN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: TX Posts: 259	Re: Speedometer cable question Anybody else?

11-23-2011, 10:43 PM	#5
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 934	Re: Speedometer cable question I had a similar problem with my '30 Coupe not long ago. I drove around for a few days with the lower end of the cable disconnected. Ultimately I just greased the cable thoroughly, and then opened up the speedo and re-packed the grease in the worm gear. All the noises went away. __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

11-23-2011, 10:45 PM	#6
FL&WVMIKE Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Daytona Beach, Fl & Spencer, W. Va, Posts: 4,449	Re: Speedometer cable question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) LSGUN ...................... It might be that your inner cable needs lubrication. I've always just used plain ole Vasoline. Just pull it out, clean it and re-insert it, feeding it plenty of vasoline. Make sure that your cable has no sharp bends. Make it as straight as you can. MIKE

11-23-2011, 11:09 PM	#7
LSGUN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: TX Posts: 259	Re: Speedometer cable question I'll definitely pull it apart and lube up the inner cable, I was just short on time today and didn't have time to pull the gauge cluster apart. I already disconnected it at the gear drive and didn't notice anything leaking, but I haven't drove it yet. It did have oil around the area but I think that is from the gear oil leaking and trickling down to the gear drive. I think it'll be fine, it's a 40 mile round trip and I'll be taking off in the morning.