Speedo Cable

[Fixitphil]

Henry tells me in his "Model A Instruction Book" that I should lube the speedo cable every 5,000 miles. I don't know if mine has ever been lubed but I want to do all "Henry" says. What is the most effective way to perform this vital fete?
He also tells me that I should lube and re-calibrate the speedo itself every 10,000 miles?? Newby that needs some help!
Thanks, Phil

[DaWizard]

If the speedo is working, I would leave it alone, or send it to a professional to have it lubed. The cable on the other hand is easily greased by removing the dash, unscrewing the cable, pulling out the center cable and stuffing it with a moli grease as you shove the cable back into the sleeve.

[Mitch]

Times 2 on the WIZ

[Tom Wesenberg]

I give the housing a squirt of oil, then slide the inner cable through some grease in my palm as I push it in the housing.

Make sure the housing is properly routed and doesn't have any kinks.

[Mitch]

Make sure the speedo cable frame bracket is present and that it is mounted properly to the top of the rail.. Many cars have these missing which causes the cable to hang close to the exhaust

[Tom Wesenberg]

If the speedometer is tight to turn, then I remove it from the housing and lubricate the bushings and gears. I use an Exacto knife and some rare earth magnets to remove the oval cover to clean out the old yellow hard grease, then give it a few drops of motor oil and some Mystik JT-6 High Temp red grease. I put a drop of oil on each bushing and gear.

The last picture shows a speedometer I bought at a swap meet because the numbers were perfect, but a bushing had come out of place and was picked up by the speed dial magnet, which then jammed and snapped the shaft holding the wheel. These pictures are small and low quality because I had to use Google to go to photobucket to retrieve them, as photobuck now holds pictures for $400 a year ransom, if you want to see them as they were downloaded.

[Fixitphil]

Thanks all. I really appreciate all of the pointers.
I have all of the support clamps in place. Do I have to disconnect the cable at the drive line to pull the shaft out to lube it?
Sounds like more than my capabilities (or patience) on taking the speedo apart, Tom.

[Mitch]

post #2 remove the dash to pull it out the top

disconnect the battery first
remove the hold down clamp on the inside of the firewall this will give you more play when pulling the dash back to access the cable

[birdguy45]

Newbie question: since I'm already working under the truck, can I pull the cable thru the sheath from the transmission end to lube it? TIA!

[Fixitphil]

Thanks Tom and Mitch

[TOBKOB]

Newbie question: since I'm already working under the truck, can I pull the cable thru the sheath from the transmission end to lube it? TIA!

long answer short,No