Question1951 Pontiac Chieftain, 2-Door Coupe, speedometer works but, on occasion, the dial swings up and down and a dry winding noise lead me to remove the cable -- the noise stopped. My local mechanic suggest dipping cabel into anitfreeze and resinstall -- I tried this solution but after one hour problem returned. Please explain how to properly lubricate a cable. Thank you.
AnswerAnti-Freeze!! That's a new one on me!
The proper lubricant for the cable is graphite powder, but that is getting very hard to find. You can try for it at a good auto parts place, but if they don't have it, substitute a graphited oil, which will be sold as a motorcycle chain lubricant.
BUT: your problem may be other than a dry cable.
Two other things you should do:
When you have the cable out to lubricate it, stand up and hold it by one end, and let it dangle straight down. Then make it turn by pinching it between two fingers at the top end and sliding your two fingers back and forth to make it turn. While it is turning, notice if the bottom tip just turns in a steady circle without "twitching" as it goes around. If it does, it's OK, but if it shows a sort of jerk as it goes around, or you can see a place where the cable has a sharp bend in it, the cable should be replaced. Also, of there is a bend, figure out how far the bend is from the end and inspect the outer cable sheath at that point to make sure it isn't kinked, crushed or split at that point. If it is, replace both the inner and outer cable with new parts.
Second, before you put the cable back on the speedometer, feel right above where the cable goes into the instrument, you'll feel a slight depression just beyond the threaded part that the cable fastens to - that is a hole in the case that has an internal felt oil wick that should get a few drops of light oil once in a while. Use sewing machine oil or "3 in 1" oil for this. Your speedometer may be in need of more attention at a professional speedometer service place, but do these two things first, that may be all you need.
Dick
