[xk49]

Original 1964 Malibu SS Speedometer. My Speedometer makes a "chickt-chickt-chikt" noise after about mile or so of driving usually starts around 30-40mph then gets considerably worst acting up as low as speeds at 20mph. It only makes the noise when the cable is attached. The noise also tends to go away if I let off the gas, which is really weird. My understanding is if you unplug the cable and the noise goes away it's not the cable making the noise. The needle doesn't bounce or act erractic at all, just a fairly loud noise.

I pulled the speedo and completely disassembled it and found nothing unusual. I greased the three gears that spin the odometer and reassembled. I benched tested it by sticking a power drill into the cable connection and it didn't make the "chickt" noise so I thought I was good to go. I installed the gauge back in and sure enough, the noise is back.

Could the noise only be from the combination of both the cable and speedometer as a pair? If the speedometer doesn't do it on its own(bench test) and the cable doesn't do it on its own(unplugged from speedo) all I can think of is there's some sort of connection issue between the two that drives the noise.

Maybe I could remove the speedo cable from the trans and make a jig that will interlace with the cable and spin it with a power drill?

 

[Leadhead]

When you're bench testing, are you recreating all the twists and turns the way it is when it's in the car? I've had the problem before in my 66, taking the cable out and squirting 3 in 1 oil down it worked for me.

 

[xk49]

When you're bench testing, are you recreating all the twists and turns the way it is when it's in the car? I've had the problem before in my 66, taking the cable out and squirting 3 in 1 oil down it worked for me.

When I unhook the cable from the speedo in the car it doesn't make any noise. I don't reroute it or anything like that, just pulled back from the back of the speedo. It doesn't make noise when unplugged. I'm 99% sure the noise is coming from the speedo itself, but my bench test(speedo out of the car) produce no noise. I'll lube the cable as you recommended and give that a try.

 

[71350SS]

The tool trucks used to sell a tool that would grease the speedometer cable with an air drill attachment to try and stop that noise without having to remove it completely.But it was also marketed as a maintenence procedure.So since you have inspected the speedometer and it looked Ok then I think you should try lubing the cable and see if it helps.Anyway that or cable replacement would be your next step either way.

 

[2/75NastyNewbs]

If it sounds like a hamster running on a squeaky wheel, it’s the cable. It’s very common. You can relube it but it’s no guarantee that will fix it. With how big of a PITA it is to install speedo cables, I recommend just spending the couple bucks and getting a new one. But if you insist, white lithium works.

 

[blm]

If you disconnect the cable from the trans you can completely remove (pull out) the cable
From its sheath. Lube it well with white lithium and reinstall. That way you can also inspect the cable. A cable that is too long can be an issue.

 

[dyno jonn]

If you disconnect the cable from the trans you can completely remove (pull out) the cable
From its sheath. Lube it well with white lithium and reinstall. That way you can also inspect the cable. A cable that is too long can be an issue.

Opinions vary on which end the cable comes out from.....

 

[shovelrick]

Ive used motorcycle cable & chain aerosol lube, disco under dash and spray inside cable and mine works fine now, had the hamster on a wheel sound