Speedo question

[Eagle_Adam]

Ive got my truck up on stands for a round of maintenance, one of the things i was looking into is why my speedometer wasn't working. Long story short the speedo cable had snapped. My question is what causes this? I have a new one on the way from rockauto but i want to make sure there isnt something im not seeing that will cause this problem again. Other than a lack of grease & age i could not find any other culprits.

[DanielC]

Your speedometer cable is only 38 years old.

[MikeRL411]

Most likely is lack of lubrication. May be compounded by too small a bend redius when routing from the transmission to the actual point of penetration of the cab which causes friction wear on the inner shaft and sleeve. Good luck with the replacement, greas, grease grease! The old "Oil Dag" of graphite and oil was the best lubricant for the cable.

[ggzilla]

lack of grease is the cause. The new speedometer cable will come with a small tube of grease, be sure to use it all.

[Eagle_Adam]

Most likely is lack of lubrication. May be compounded by too small a bend redius when routing from the transmission to the actual point of penetration of the cab which causes friction wear on the inner shaft and sleeve. Good luck with the replacement, greas, grease grease! The old "Oil Dag" of graphite and oil was the best lubricant for the cable.

 

Thanx mike! The cable follows the stock path, i did swap from and autotragic to a 5 speed. Would that have any effect?

 

 

 

lack of grease is the cause. The new speedometer cable will come with a small tube of grease, be sure to use it all.

 

as always, thanx for your input ggzilla!

[datzenmike]

Simple... does it get below freezing where you are??? If the cable has ever been badly kinked or been hit or snagged water will get in. Next winter it freezes and the first time you move the truck, it twists off. When the weather gets better you find it broken and say.... wtf did this???

[Eagle_Adam]

Simple... does it get below freezing where you are??? If the cable has ever been badly kinked or been hit or snagged water will get in. Next winter it freezes and the first time you move the truck, it twists off. When the weather gets better you find it broken and say.... wtf did this???

 

yes it freezes here but not all that often, and the cable didn't snap until a few weeks ago and it hasn't frozen here in a few months. I'm gunna guess a lack of grease and old age caused it. Either way the new one is on its way :D

[Eagle_Adam]

GOT MY NEW SPEEDO CABLE!!!

 

 

unfortunately it did not come with the needed grease -.- can i get away with wheel bearing grease or something generic or is there a specific kind i need?

[ggzilla]

Use a generic speedometer cable grease. It is a sulphite blend I think. I would not use wheel bearing grease. You local auto parts store will carry it such as O'Reillys.

 

But maybe your new cable is pre-lubricated. Doesn't it come with a little paper saying what to do?

[datzenmike]

Molybdendum-disulphide powder or grease, better than graphite.

[Eagle_Adam]

thanx guys, there was nothing in the box but the cable. Its the right length compared to my old one and i picked up some grease from NismoDr so tomorrow i can get my dash put back together :)