Speedometer cable

[f6john]

I have a squeaking speedometer cable that I have tried to quieten down with a lube I got at the auto parts store. It got rid of the squeak but then the needle would bounce up and down until you got to about 55 mph and it would smooth out. After about a month the squeak is back! Now my question, the LMC catalog shows an upper and lower cable for a 1985 automatic truck, I can only see one cable from the speedometer to the transmission on my truck. Any of you ever replace the cable(s) on your truck? Where did you get it and how many did you have?

 

[Irishman999]

what kind of lube did you use on it?

 

[Old77]

I only have one cable on the 77 and it's the original. I'm sure you could something like this at any auto parts store and may be cheaper than LMC because you won't have to pay shipping for it/them.

 

[f6john]

what kind of lube did you use on it?

It was a graphite impregnated oil in a tube that was labeled for that purpose. I pulled the instrument cluster, removed the cable from the back of the cluster and fed the lube right into the end of the cable.

 

[89Suburban]

It was a graphite impregnated oil in a tube that was labeled for that purpose. I pulled the instrument cluster, removed the cable from the back of the cluster and fed the lube right into the end of the cable.

Even though you lubed the cable, there still can be material inside the tube from being worn and lube won't help. The lining is probably shot inside. Replacements are very cheap. Like these guys said, get it at your local parts store and try and match it before you pull out of the parking lot. The 2 piece cables are for cruise control on some vehicles. I just went through this last winter. Mine started that **** and I lubed the cable and it didn't help that much. So I slapped a new one on and it's been fine since. I got mine at Parts Plus for like 15 bucks.

 

[f6john]

Even though you lubed the cable, there still can be material inside the tube from being worn and lube won't help. The lining is probably shot inside. Replacements are very cheap. Like these guys said, get it at your local parts store and try and match it before you pull out of the parking lot. The 2 piece cables are for cruise control on some vehicles. I just went through this last winter. Mine started that **** and I lubed the cable and it didn't help that much. So I slapped a new one on and it's been fine since. I got mine at Parts Plus for like 15 bucks.

I guess I need to check a couple more places. I went to one of the chain outfits, don't remember which one, and they didn't keep anything but a universal make your own crap.

 

[89Suburban]

I guess I need to check a couple more places. I went to one of the chain outfits, don't remember which one, and they didn't keep anything but a universal make your own crap.

Yah, I would stay away from that universal **** and try to find a direct replacement.

 

[crazy4offroad]

Check the whole length of the outer sheathing, you may have a kink somewhere along the line. I use spray white lithium, it doesnt evaporate.

 

[jake wells]

what i use for grease for chassis, bushing, speedo cable is type 00 grease semi liquid white in color and is as thick as maple syrup. you can get it at a lawnmower shop works good for noisy speedo cables and where the cable screws into the housing spray some light oil in there also.

 

[crazy4offroad]

I thought I was having a bad run of speedo cables but it turned out to be the speedometer itself froze up.

 

[RetroC10Sport]

I'll go with a 1990-91 electric one.......Some of my mods will depend on it.

 

[89Suburban]

Duder, did ya ever get this thing fixed???

 

[Mr Clean]

Autozone has them for $17.00. you have a cable lock under you steering column in the engine bay, and you have a little clamp under the truck. You will have to pull the whole speedo cable, there is the firewall grommet that will have to go on you new cable, and a metal routing tube, by your transmission hook up, that will have to go on the new cable, it just keeps the cable from being kinked. It is no big deal, takes about an hour.

 

[f6john]

Duder, did ya ever get this thing fixed???

Nope, been spending too much time scratching that itch I talked about in another post. Drove the truck today for the first time since back before Christmas. I will get'r done though.

 

[f6john]

Autozone has them for $17.00. you have a cable lock under you steering column in the engine bay, and you have a little clamp under the truck. You will have to pull the whole speedo cable, there is the firewall grommet that will have to go on you new cable, and a metal routing tube, by your transmission hook up, that will have to go on the new cable, it just keeps the cable from being kinked. It is no big deal, takes about an hour.

I just called the local auto zone and they said they have it, think I will run down and get one, thanks.