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Speedometer Cable Lube
Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 6:22 pm
by Ryan_Miller
Hey,
I know we have discussed this before, but I could not find it.
What is a good speedometer cable lube?
I was thinking Marvel Mystery oil or transmission fluid, but something tells me there was a special grease?
Right now I am trying to get the clip of the end of the cable to pull the cable out of the sheath, but if I can put some oil down it, I may just do that and not pull it apart.
Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 8:22 pm
by wesk
There are speedo specific lubes on the market with a graphite base made just for the speedo inner cable. You remove the sheath and coat the cable by hand then wipe of the upper 6 or 8 inches to keep the lube from drifting up into the speedometer and gumming it up. Oils are to be avoided.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:21 am
by whydahdvr
Is lubing the speedometer cable required? I purchased a NOS one from Pete DeBella that arrived yesterday. I've already put it on the jeep but haven't driven yet.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 7:22 am
by wesk
Without lube the cable will have a very short life. Most new cables have the inner core lubed but it's up to you to check all your new parts before installation to determine they are correct, servicable and fit properly. Odds are it is lubed but checking it is very easy and cheap insurance.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 7:31 am
by whydahdvr
Well, that's what I thought after reading this series. OK. So any kind of general graphite lube is fine? Like the kind for door locks? I'll pull the cable off again and pull it apart. Thanks!
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 1:03 pm
by Ryan_Miller
Hey,
I bought my cable NOS from Debella 5 years ago. After this posting I took it down to a speedometer shop. They took it apart and lubed it for me. They said there was lube in it already, but said it could use a little more.
They were very strongly against using lube that contains graphite. They told me it gets into the speedometer workings easily and gums things up.
I don't know but that is what I was told.
Hope this helps.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:36 pm
by whydahdvr
Sheesh!
Now what! To lube or not to lube, that is the graphite question....
OK, I'll check locally to. Thanks for the advice.
Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 6:10 pm
by C15TA
Back in the day, (I like that phrase) before electronic speed sensors, a speedo lube was a common service for my garage. The most common symptoms were noises and a bouncing needle. We always used Lubriplate
white grease. Never had a problem and as Wes indicated don't cover the top 8 to 10 inches.
Barry