I thought I saw something on this a while ago, but could not find it in the archives. What is the proper way to lubricate the speedo and tach cables? Is the lubrication tool I see for sale in the catalogs necessary? What kind of lubricant? Also, did any C2 3- or 4-speeds have right side speedometer cables on the transmision, or were they all on the left?
-
-
Re: Speedometer Cable - Lubrication and position
Mark I bought a tube of liquid at the local parts store that worked for me. LyleLyle
-
Re: Speedometer Cable - Lubrication and position
Mark------
The best way to lubricate the cable is to remove it from the outer casing (at the speedometer end), clean it, re-lubricate it, and re-install it. However, if this is too much trouble (and it is a lot of trouble), then you can try lubricating using the tool which attaches to the end of the speedometer cable and allows you to force grease in with a grease gun. If you use this method, I still strongly recommend that you remove the cable at the speedometer end. You don't want to force any grease into the speedometer head assembly.
Special grease is sold for the application, but just about any chassis grease will work fine. GM #12377985 is one.
Corvetttes with Muncie 4 speeds used BOTH left and right side speed fittings. 1963 to mid-65 use a left side fitting; mid 65 through 1974 use a right side fitting. 57-63 Borg-Warner T-10s use a left side speedo fitting. Saginaw 3 speeds use left side speedo drive.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: Speedometer Cable Lubrication
I didn't know the cable could be removed. Does the cable simply pull out, or is there a trick to it? Should I try to clean the casing (inside) as well? Grease it up good when done, reinsert, then clean the ends to prevent (as you said) grease getting into the head? Thanks very much.Comment
-
Re: Speedometer Cable Lubrication
Mark The cable only comes out at the speedometer end. You need to push the release and pull on the cable at the same time in a space with room for one hand at best. I tie a small cord on the cable and put it over something near the firewall so I can put pressure towards the front of the car with the spare hand and push the release with the other and if done right it will come off. Just lube the cable and reinstall. LyleLyle
Comment
-
Re: Speedometer Cable Lubrication
Mark and Lyle-----
I don't know what year car is involved here. However, I believe that most, if not all, C2s use a screw on speedometer cable at the speedo head. Generally, I think that the snap-on cable started about 1968.
Also, there's no practical way to clean the inner portion of the outer casing.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
-
Re: Speedometer Cable Lubrication
It is a '64. Getting to the cable (screw on type at both ends) is not a problem. I'll probably take the whole thing out of the car before removing the cable from the shield. Lyle, is the release you mention to release the entire unit from the head, or some kind of retainer to remove the cable from the outter shielding?Comment
-
Re: Speedometer Cable Lubrication
Mark-----
I think that Lyle was referring to the spring release which is used for the speedometer cable at the speedometer end. This type of fastner was used for speedometer cables from about 68 onward. On a C3 this is very difficult to access and difficult to remove. In fact, I think that the reason that GM went to the spring release for the C3s is that the screw-on type would have been even more difficult to remove behind the difficult-to-access C3 instrument cluster.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
Comment