I am going to remove the one piece speedometer cable from my '70 to replace the floor pan grommet(cable seal) and lube the cable.:D

My question, is there a trick to remove the cable from the cable housing, so I can better clean the cable and inside the cable housing???

What is best to lube the inside of the speedometer cable with???:confused:

Dash is pulled and my gauges have been sent to John at Redline for restoration of the gauge movements. I don't want to destroy the rebuilt speedometer with a sticky cable.:thumbsup:

When it is disconnected from the speedo at the top - you can just pull the cable out easily. When you replace it, twist it a bit to let it go back into the speedo gear in the trans. I use an anti-sieze lube to re-lube it.

IME, Speedo cable cores should be lubricated with graphite powder/paste.

IME, Speedo cable cores should be lubricated with graphite powder/paste.

Dan, never heard of it (graphite paste).

I have used graphite in powder form, but never in paste form.

Where do I get it and what brand makes it???

When it is disconnected from the speedo at the top - you can just pull the cable out easily. When you replace it, twist it a bit to let it go back into the speedo gear in the trans. I use an anti-sieze lube to re-lube it.

Thanks Ed:beers:
It is good to know that the cable will slide out thru the gauge end.

I have too replace the cable grommet/ seal at the floor pan, so I might as well remove the whole cable assembly, so I can flush out the cable housing.:D

Just a thought!!!:D

Wouldn't it be better to use automatic transmission fluid to lube the speedometer cable.

Correct me if I am wrong, don't transmission fluid go up into the cable housing a little???

If this is the case, anything you use to lube the speedometer cable will end up in the transmission (contaminate trans fluid).

Would graphite be good in a automatic transmission???:confused:

I tried the graphite lube/oil and it didn't work well on my new cable.
The speedo cable kept making noise and the indicator bounced around.
Pulled it back out and lubed the cable with axle grease......works good now.
Have read to use lithium grease also.

I always use white lithium.

Will white lithium hold and not get flushed back down into the automatic transmission???

Yes, it will stay put. Frankly, I'm surprised it took 6-7 posts before someone mentioned white lithium grease.

Just a thought!!!:D

Wouldn't it be better to use automatic transmission fluid to lube the speedometer cable.

Correct me if I am wrong, don't transmission fluid go up into the cable housing a little???

If this is the case, anything you use to lube the speedometer cable will end up in the transmission (contaminate trans fluid).

Would graphite be good in a automatic transmission???:confused:
The only way ATF goes up the cable, or cable lube gets into the transmission--is if the seals at the driven gear are defective.

I always use white lithium.
Yup.

Will white lithium hold and not get flushed back down into the automatic transmission???
It won't go into the transmission if the seals in the speedo gear housing are any good.

Yes, it will stay put. Frankly, I'm surprised it took 6-7 posts before someone mentioned white lithium grease.
Yup.

I always use white lithium.

Yes, it will stay put. Frankly, I'm surprised it took 6-7 posts before someone mentioned white lithium grease.

I used to work at a shop rebuilding and calibrating speedometers a LONG time ago.
We also used to build new speedometer cables and housings.

White lithium is the best answer.

I have never heard of people using some of the other products mentioned for lubing a speedo cable.

White lithium it is!!!:yes:

Thanks guys for clearing this one up!!!:beers: Now we can all put this one to bed now.:hurray:

Hum?? This bring up an interesting question. I just purchased a new repop cable. Now I'm wondering if the new cables already come pre lubricated?? Any one know about this?

Hum?? This bring up an interesting question. I just purchased a new repop cable. Now I'm wondering if the new cables already come pre lubricated?? Any one know about this?
Pull the cable out of the sheath and look at it???

Hum?? This bring up an interesting question. I just purchased a new repop cable. Now I'm wondering if the new cables already come pre lubricated?? Any one know about this?

When it is disconnected from the speedo at the top - you can just pull the cable out easily. When you replace it, twist it a bit to let it go back into the speedo gear in the trans. I use an anti-sieze lube to re-lube it.

Bob, acording to Ed, the cable should just slide out from the speedometer end. I will know after Saturday.:D

Pull the cable out of the sheath and look at it???

Everything is back together and was just wondering if anyone knew this without me pulling everything apart to check. :(

When I replaced my cable the new one came with a small pack of graphite grease, the cable was not lubed.

The new ones I've seen always need lube.

You guys were right on!!!:bow:

The cable pulled right out of the cable housing from the speedometer gauge end. I didn't even have too disconnect the cable housing from the side of the transmission!!!:hurray:

The original cable was lubed with white lithium from the factory too!!!:yes:

Dan, never heard of it (graphite paste).

I have used graphite in powder form, but never in paste form.

Where do I get it and what brand makes it???

Top four of this search. The paste form is essentially the dry form with oils/solvents mixed in.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/search.shtml?searchQuery=graphite&op=search&sst=All&Ntt=graphite&N=14919

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphite


When I replaced my cable the new one came with a small pack of graphite grease, the cable was not lubed.

There is a reason why it came with graphite and not lithium.


I'm not saying lithium grease is not a suitable alternative, but an alternative nonetheless.

There is a reason why it came with graphite and not lithium.



Why:secret:

Maybe, Graphite was cheaper to include.
Maybe, the manufacturer was going by OEM recommended cable lubricant.

I have looked at the MSDS for both multi-purpose Lithium and Graphite base grease and I see no outstanding reason why one should be used over the other -- except to say in most references to cable lubrication, graphite is recommended most.

Maybe, Graphite was cheaper to include.
Maybe, the manufacturer was going by OEM recommended cable lubricant.

I have looked at the MSDS for both multi-purpose Lithium and Graphite base grease and I see no outstanding reason why one should be used over the other -- except to say in most references to cable lubrication, graphite is recommended most.

Thanks Dan, you had me troubled for a second. I thought I might of screwed up by going with white lithium.:D

I can say with out a doubt, that when I pulled the original cable, it had white lithium on it from the factory.:thumbsup:

At the speedo end of the cable, is there a mount or attachment to connect to the speedo itself?

Before I pull mine, as I recall it's something I need...

(EDIT: Just answered myself with a catalog search - might have to buy the whole cable, as the top surround ring IS missing, not likely to find on its own)

At the speedo end of the cable, is there a mount or attachment to connect to the speedo itself?



There is a cable attachment clip, that is mounted on the backside of the speedometer.

The other end of the speedometer cable is attached to the side of the transmission via a threaded collar ring (should come with new cable).:thumbsup:

Sometimes the speedo end is a threaded collar, too. (my '68 is threaded)

Sometimes the speedo end is a threaded collar, too. (my '68 is threaded)

:o