The Ford Barn

MurphyJ · 12-19-2011, 11:07 PM

A few weeks ago my speedometer developed a screechy almost screamy
noise and I could feel vibration when I placed my hand on the face. Since then, I replaced the entire speedometer cable and housing, even pulled the new one apart and carefully lubricated it, removed the speedometer head and opened it and checked for broken gears and sloppy bushings, cleaned and carefully oiled and greased what I could see/reach and again only applied minute drops of oil and almost no grease. Then I reassembled everything hooked up the new speedometer cable and on the first ten test miles all was smooth and quiet and then the screechy and screamy noise was back. If I stop and then start forward it is quiet up to about
15 mpg before the noise returns. The good news is that when I drive in reverse the speedometer makes no noise at all but I do get a lot of "noise" from other drivers! Any suggestions, advice or wisdom will be greatly apprecitated. Thank you.

J Franklin · 12-20-2011, 12:02 AM

Sounds like it could use a lube job!

MurphyJ · 12-20-2011, 12:20 AM

Thanks J Franklin, but I did lube everywhere I could see a moving part.

CarlG · 12-20-2011, 01:16 AM

FWIW, I built a speedo cable that I could test the speedometer on the bench without having to install it in the car. That helped isolate the problem. What I did was to take a broken cable, cut it to about 18 - 24" long. Drive it with a cordless varriable drill motor -- in reverse.

columbiA · 12-20-2011, 01:24 AM

Did you remove the little cover over the bevel gears in the back of the speedo? Sometimes you need to dig out the dried out grease &replace with a light grade of grease.

Tom Wesenberg · 12-20-2011, 02:09 AM

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I was going to suggest the same as columbiA. I use rare earth magnets and an EXACTO knife to remove the rear cover. I use oil and Mystik JT-6 high temp to replace the ugly dried up grease. Also make sure the speedometer shaft that the magnet is mounted to isn't binding.

Here's a better picture of how I take them apart to lube the bushings and gears. I don't remove the magnet from the shaft, but this one was broken by one of the steel bushings falling out of place and getting jammed under the magnet.

steve s · 12-20-2011, 10:13 AM

Since it was quiet for a bit after lubing, it sounds to me like some bearing surface is just worn out. If you can't get a really sticky lube into the noisy spot (and ONLY there), may be time to call up Bert's about a replacement, or check with that guy who does the professional rebuilding.

Steve

MurphyJ · 12-20-2011, 11:13 AM

Thanks fellas for your tips, photos and recommendations. Looks like I need to "dig" a little deeper into the speedometer to diagnose the problem.

12-19-2011, 11:07 PM	#1
MurphyJ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 153	Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! A few weeks ago my speedometer developed a screechy almost screamy noise and I could feel vibration when I placed my hand on the face. Since then, I replaced the entire speedometer cable and housing, even pulled the new one apart and carefully lubricated it, removed the speedometer head and opened it and checked for broken gears and sloppy bushings, cleaned and carefully oiled and greased what I could see/reach and again only applied minute drops of oil and almost no grease. Then I reassembled everything hooked up the new speedometer cable and on the first ten test miles all was smooth and quiet and then the screechy and screamy noise was back. If I stop and then start forward it is quiet up to about 15 mpg before the noise returns. The good news is that when I drive in reverse the speedometer makes no noise at all but I do get a lot of "noise" from other drivers! Any suggestions, advice or wisdom will be greatly apprecitated. Thank you.

12-20-2011, 12:02 AM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,964	Re: Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! Sounds like it could use a lube job!

12-20-2011, 12:20 AM	#3
MurphyJ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 153	Re: Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! Thanks J Franklin, but I did lube everywhere I could see a moving part.

12-20-2011, 01:16 AM	#4
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! FWIW, I built a speedo cable that I could test the speedometer on the bench without having to install it in the car. That helped isolate the problem. What I did was to take a broken cable, cut it to about 18 - 24" long. Drive it with a cordless varriable drill motor -- in reverse.

12-20-2011, 01:24 AM	#5
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! Did you remove the little cover over the bevel gears in the back of the speedo? Sometimes you need to dig out the dried out grease &replace with a light grade of grease.

12-20-2011, 02:09 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I was going to suggest the same as columbiA. I use rare earth magnets and an EXACTO knife to remove the rear cover. I use oil and Mystik JT-6 high temp to replace the ugly dried up grease. Also make sure the speedometer shaft that the magnet is mounted to isn't binding. Here's a better picture of how I take them apart to lube the bushings and gears. I don't remove the magnet from the shaft, but this one was broken by one of the steel bushings falling out of place and getting jammed under the magnet. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 12-20-2011 at 02:14 AM.

12-20-2011, 10:13 AM	#7
steve s Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo Posts: 1,656	Re: Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! Since it was quiet for a bit after lubing, it sounds to me like some bearing surface is just worn out. If you can't get a really sticky lube into the noisy spot (and ONLY there), may be time to call up Bert's about a replacement, or check with that guy who does the professional rebuilding. Steve

12-20-2011, 11:13 AM	#8
MurphyJ Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 153	Re: Noisy Speedometer ...... HELP!! Thanks fellas for your tips, photos and recommendations. Looks like I need to "dig" a little deeper into the speedometer to diagnose the problem.