QuestionHi Howard,
as a follow up: I checked the axle nuts, and they were torqued to 150 ft-lbs. I tightened the rear wheel nuts with the rear axle jacked up. The number of clunks have markedly reduced in frequency; I still hear an occasional clunk when initially launching in reverse, however...
Anyway, about the speedometer. The speedometer would read correct, but the action of the needle was not smooth, instead it would be a little jerky in its travel. I recently had the dashboard pulled loose to check other things. I noticed the speedometer cable was a little loose. I hand tightened it, thinking it would correct the problem. I did notice the cable to be moist with lube. Instead, it made it worse, with big bounces now, and no reliable reading. What's next?
Thank you in advance for any and all thoughts.
Regards,
Dan
AnswerHi Dan,
I found that some aftermarket speedometer cables were a little long and they applied pressure inward on the speedometer shaft causing a problem. Another cause is that the speedometer shaft bearings are worn making the shaft move in too much. The needle is on a drum and the drive shaft has a magnet on it and when the bearings are worn the magnet contacts the drum and makes the needle jump.
Check to see that the inner cable is not forced in against the drive shaft it fits into and that the drive shaft does not have any up/down play in it by inserting something into the shaft and try to move it up and down. Not much else you can do unless you have the equipment to overhaul a speedometer.
I you don't have any play in the splines and the nuts are tight and the "U" joints are good, then you may have play inside the differential like spider gear end play.
Howard
