The Ford Barn

1930Ford · 04-30-2022, 08:01 AM

1930 Model A

Problem: Severe wobble in the speedometer. Fluctuates wildly back and forth and never stops while driving. Bench tested the speedometer by attaching a low rpm drill and it seems the gauge works properly - though because of the low rpm the speedometer didn't up too far.

Question: Is the problem most likely in the speedometer cable?

rotorwrench · 04-30-2022, 10:16 AM

I'd say the cable may have a twist or kink in it or needs cleaning & lube service.

katy · 04-30-2022, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

I'd say the cable may have a twist or kink in it or needs cleaning & lube service.

Ditto

Merc Cruzer · 04-30-2022, 12:24 PM

Okay so mine is not a 1930 Model A, but the principal should be the same. I pulled the cable out of the housing in my 1953 Mercury, because the speedometer was "bouncing". I then soaked the cable in parts cleaner I get from Harbor Freight. I then sprayed the cable with "Blaster Graphite Dry Lubricant". I also used the plastic nozzle and sprayed it down the inside of the housing. Once completely reassembled, it works great. Got the product from Home Depot.

katy · 04-30-2022, 12:39 PM

Vaseline works good for a speedometer cable lubricant.

Patrick L. · 04-30-2022, 01:21 PM

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Yep, agree. Sounds like a dry to too long cable.

rotorwrench · 05-01-2022, 12:13 PM

I've always used what manufacturers call out on different teleflex type cables. Most use Lubriplate 130-AA. Molybdenum disulfide based grease or moly grease can be used where the chance of moisture ingress is low. If moisture mixes with the stuff is can cause metal corrosion. Lubriplate white lithium type greases have always been favored in areas where moisture may ingress since it doesn't hurt the lubricating qualities of the mix and keeps corrosion to a minimum.

katy · 05-02-2022, 09:56 AM

The problem I've found w/lubriplate is that in applications w/minimal, infrequent use, it tends to separate, the oil moves up and the other ingredients settle.

marty in Ohio · 05-02-2022, 05:25 PM

I'm having the same problem with my speedometer. About a month ago I asked what lubricant to use and was told that white lithium grease turns stiff after a while. I've tried the spray graphite, but it didn't solve the problem. What's the best lube to use?
Marty

katy · 05-03-2022, 09:32 AM

Chassis grease or vaseline.

nkaminar · 05-03-2022, 10:23 AM

Try the cleaning and lubrication of the cable but may be that the cable is kinked and you will need a new one. Another problem may be that the drum inside the speedo is rubbing but you said it worked OK on a drill motor so that is unlikely. You can try running the speedo with the drill motor through the cable to see if you can duplicate the osculations that way. If you get different results with and without the cable then the cable is suspect. Also try oiling the speedo with some light oil like 3 in 1. Turn the speedo input shaft with your fingers. If it turns hard then the cable can be winding up and letting go like a spring.

marty in Ohio · 05-04-2022, 07:33 AM

Thanks all. Nkaminar, I have a new cable and housing coming this week from Obsolete Ford in Oklahoma City. The speedometer was serviced by Papanick but the wild bounce remains. I've tried a different inner cable but no luck. I'm hoping the new housing will cure the problem. I still need to lube it when it arrives and my question was - with what?
Marty

nkaminar · 05-04-2022, 09:11 AM

Here is what Snyders sells. It looks like they are out of stock but you could try the other dealers or even Amazon.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...7016&cat=41744

papanick · 05-11-2022, 06:30 PM

did you check the mag justment you may need to set the pull on the mag to slow down the wing of the speed wheel.

04-30-2022, 08:01 AM	#1
1930Ford Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Utah Posts: 18	Wobble in Speedometer 1930 Model A Problem: Severe wobble in the speedometer. Fluctuates wildly back and forth and never stops while driving. Bench tested the speedometer by attaching a low rpm drill and it seems the gauge works properly - though because of the low rpm the speedometer didn't up too far. Question: Is the problem most likely in the speedometer cable?

04-30-2022, 10:16 AM	#2
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,574	Re: Wobble in Speedometer I'd say the cable may have a twist or kink in it or needs cleaning & lube service.

04-30-2022, 12:39 PM	#5
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,111	Re: Wobble in Speedometer Vaseline works good for a speedometer cable lubricant. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

04-30-2022, 01:21 PM	#6
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Wobble in Speedometer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yep, agree. Sounds like a dry to too long cable.

05-01-2022, 12:13 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,574	Re: Wobble in Speedometer I've always used what manufacturers call out on different teleflex type cables. Most use Lubriplate 130-AA. Molybdenum disulfide based grease or moly grease can be used where the chance of moisture ingress is low. If moisture mixes with the stuff is can cause metal corrosion. Lubriplate white lithium type greases have always been favored in areas where moisture may ingress since it doesn't hurt the lubricating qualities of the mix and keeps corrosion to a minimum.

05-02-2022, 09:56 AM	#8
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,111	Re: Wobble in Speedometer The problem I've found w/lubriplate is that in applications w/minimal, infrequent use, it tends to separate, the oil moves up and the other ingredients settle. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

05-02-2022, 05:25 PM	#9
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 767	Re: Wobble in Speedometer I'm having the same problem with my speedometer. About a month ago I asked what lubricant to use and was told that white lithium grease turns stiff after a while. I've tried the spray graphite, but it didn't solve the problem. What's the best lube to use? Marty

05-03-2022, 09:32 AM	#10
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,111	Re: Wobble in Speedometer Chassis grease or vaseline. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

05-03-2022, 10:23 AM	#11
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,148	Re: Wobble in Speedometer Try the cleaning and lubrication of the cable but may be that the cable is kinked and you will need a new one. Another problem may be that the drum inside the speedo is rubbing but you said it worked OK on a drill motor so that is unlikely. You can try running the speedo with the drill motor through the cable to see if you can duplicate the osculations that way. If you get different results with and without the cable then the cable is suspect. Also try oiling the speedo with some light oil like 3 in 1. Turn the speedo input shaft with your fingers. If it turns hard then the cable can be winding up and letting go like a spring. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 05-03-2022 at 10:31 AM.

05-04-2022, 07:33 AM	#12
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 767	Re: Wobble in Speedometer Thanks all. Nkaminar, I have a new cable and housing coming this week from Obsolete Ford in Oklahoma City. The speedometer was serviced by Papanick but the wild bounce remains. I've tried a different inner cable but no luck. I'm hoping the new housing will cure the problem. I still need to lube it when it arrives and my question was - with what? Marty

05-04-2022, 09:11 AM	#13
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 4,148	Re: Wobble in Speedometer Here is what Snyders sells. It looks like they are out of stock but you could try the other dealers or even Amazon. https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...7016&cat=41744 __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

05-11-2022, 06:30 PM	#14
papanick Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: gouverneur n,y, Posts: 2,762	Re: Wobble in Speedometer did you check the mag justment you may need to set the pull on the mag to slow down the wing of the speed wheel.