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Old 04-28-2020, 06:34 PM   #1
bry593
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Question Speedometer Lubrication?

Anyone know how to lubricate the speedometer bushing? Older Chevy's have a cup plug on the side of the cast housing. Under the plug is a felt wick that holds the oil. My 1971 C20 doesn't seem to have this feature. Is it serviceable?
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Old 04-28-2020, 06:48 PM   #2
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Hmmm, have not delved into that one yet. I would bet Lock Doc or the T-Bone will be speaking out to ya soon!
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Old 04-28-2020, 10:06 PM   #3
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

This doesn't directly answer your question but I like this stuff for lubing cables...
I 'had' an old bottle of stuff called "Kable Ease". I used it on heater control cables, speedo cables, etc. I really like this stuff. The last time I used it, the plastic container cracked and leaked all out
Anyway, I just googled and apparently it's still available...

https://www.amazon.com/Ags-Kable-Eas.../dp/B000ZO0EA2
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Old 04-28-2020, 10:39 PM   #4
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

my 4spd ch465 and np205 have splash oiling. Speedo correction box is sealed. For the cable you pull the guts out and shoot some white lithium grease inside it then reinstall the wire.
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Old 04-29-2020, 07:23 AM   #5
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

I disconnect at speedo and squirt graphite cable lube in. You can give a shot of air to help it get lower better faster, then add a bit more. That works for me. A more thorough way to go would be remove, clean, lube, install. PITA, yes, but one and done on this, more than likely second lubing in 50 years
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Old 04-29-2020, 08:45 AM   #6
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Quote:
Originally Posted by burnin oil View Post
my 4spd ch465 and np205 have splash oiling. Speedo correction box is sealed. For the cable you pull the guts out and shoot some white lithium grease inside it then reinstall the wire.
Quote:
Originally Posted by special-K View Post
I disconnect at speedo and squirt graphite cable lube in. You can give a shot of air to help it get lower better faster, then add a bit more. That works for me. A more thorough way to go would be remove, clean, lube, install. PITA, yes, but one and done on this, more than likely second lubing in 50 years
Just a quick note for us northern latitude guys. DO NOT use white lithium grease on the cable. You will have troubles when it gets cold out (cold in MN is different than cold in Tennessee).

When I worked in the shop and had a customer complaining about a jittery or noisy speedo cable we would pull it from behind the speedometer, clean it, then lube it with a graphite based lube that won't freeze up in the winter.
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Old 04-29-2020, 08:54 AM   #7
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

That I a very good point
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Old 04-29-2020, 01:29 PM   #8
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrein3 View Post
Just a quick note for us northern latitude guys. DO NOT use white lithium grease on the cable. You will have troubles when it gets cold out (cold in MN is different than cold in Tennessee)
Correct, use graphite or 10w oil.

Unfortunately, you guys took my thread about the speedometer bushing (at the speedometer head) and turned it into how to grease a drive cable.

So, anyone know how to service the speedo head?
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Old 04-29-2020, 01:49 PM   #9
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinK7 View Post
This doesn't directly answer your question but I like this stuff for lubing cables...
I 'had' an old bottle of stuff called "Kable Ease". I used it on heater control cables, speedo cables, etc. I really like this stuff. The last time I used it, the plastic container cracked and leaked all out
Anyway, I just googled and apparently it's still available...

https://www.amazon.com/Ags-Kable-Eas.../dp/B000ZO0EA2
Just ordered the linked snake oil. My speedo cable is not bad, but will lube it anyway. But, I want to try it on my HVAC control cables as they are very stiff as they are on my Datsun 240z as well.
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Old 04-29-2020, 02:34 PM   #10
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

I didn't realize there is a bushing on the speedo head. I have never done anything to them other than screw the cable in or unclip it. Looking forward to learning something here.
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Old 04-29-2020, 07:19 PM   #11
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Vaseline Has worked for me for 60 years
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Old 04-30-2020, 08:46 PM   #12
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Vaseline? I'm asking how to service the speedometer bushing. Wow, just wow....
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Old 04-30-2020, 10:12 PM   #13
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

This....
Attached Images
  
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Old 04-30-2020, 10:26 PM   #14
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

I have wondered about this myself. I did use some white lithium sparingly on the gears for the odometer. Vasoline is a petroleum product and it does make sense. The bushing on mine was dry as well and I used sewing machine oil 0 weight but it wont last long. I will add some vasoline I need to pull it apart again to add a trans cooler gauge anyway.
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Old 05-06-2020, 12:28 PM   #15
bry593
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?



https://imgur.com/UyAeoYs

Here is a link to a pic of a 1967 - 1972, C10 / C20 speedometer head (hope the link works, I'm old and still angry about photobucket). How did anyone manage to apply vaseline to the bushing?
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Last edited by bry593; 05-06-2020 at 01:11 PM.
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Old 05-07-2020, 10:11 AM   #16
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Bry593 From one Okie to another where are you from?
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Old 05-07-2020, 01:39 PM   #17
bry593
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Re: Speedometer Lubrication?

Quote:
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Bry593 From one Okie to another where are you from?
Currently in Broken Arrow, just east of Tulsa.
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