Speedo Cable

[Bruce of MN]

My inner cable broke down at the transmission, after winding up the outer like a pretzel. The cable was installed this Spring, but I didn't lube it, which probably is the culprit. I cleaned and re-lubed the speedo gears then and they rotate with a little resistance now, using a small Phillips screwdriver in the square hole in the input shaft. I'll lube the new cable, but I assume my axle grease will do. Any suggestions?

This is the broken off end (sorry for the cell phone pic):

[Pilotdave]

I wouldn't use axle grease - it gets stiff when the weather turns chilly. I found some lube at NAPA that's designed for applications like the speedo cable. I'll look it up next time I'm down at the barn.

[d.j. moordigian]

How about this............

.....................................Fordbarn search question.................................

[Patrick L.]

White Lithium,and, work it in

[bikejunk]

replace my speedo cable about a year ago and took some ford barn advice and used fine graphite messy but works well in all temps. thanks FB

[Mitch//pa]

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the modern fix is to use a synthetic brake caliper grease.
stay away from the old school white lithium it drys out

[Mark in MT]

Bruce: When you are hooking up the speedometer end, check the speedometer head. The input end should turn easily with the tips of your fingers, anything tighter is too tight and will be hard on the cable. This tightness is usually caused by grease in the speedometer unit turning hard after 80 years and the pot metal frame swelling around the steel parts. I find this allot when talking with customers, they say that they just replaced the cable after the old one broke, then the new one broke after just a few miles.

Mark

[Tom Wesenberg]

I quit using white lithium about 15 years ago, because, as Mitch said, it dries out.

I use Mystik JT-6 High Temp in the palm of my hand, then squit motor oil down the speedometer housing. I run the inner cable through the Mystic as I push it down the housing and keep squirting oil as the cable goes in. I've never had a problem with this method. Also make sure the speedometer turns freely.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I quit using white lithium about 15 years ago, because, as Mitch said, it dries out.

I use Mystik JT-6 High Temp in the palm of my hand, then squit motor oil down the speedometer housing. I run the inner cable through the Mystic as I push it down the housing and keep squirting oil as the cable goes in. I've never had a problem with this method. Also make sure the speedometer turns freely.

But then again you use Mystik JT-6 High Temp for everything!

[Bruce of MN]

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

But then again you use Mystik JT-6 High Temp for everything!

Tom must buy Mystik JT-6 High Temp in 55 gallon drums!

[Patrick L.]

You mean I can throw away whats left of my 50 yr old can of White Lithium !? Good !

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

You mean I can throw away whats left of my 50 yr old can of White Lithium !? Good !

Use it as a rust preservative, like on shovel blades and bumpers during winter storage. Or grease the bird feeder pole to keep the tree rats (squirrels) away.