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Topic: Speedo Cable Noise

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 11/24/08 7:30pm Message 1 of 9
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mount airy, MD - USA
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.
I am getting a chirping sound from my speedo.  Do you just replace the cable from the CC to the Speedo or is there a way to lube it? It's kinda jumpy also.  Thanks, Tom  


1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.
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Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 11/24/08 9:09pm Message 2 of 9
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Canada
Joined: 6/23/2008
Posts: 558
Vette(s): 1972, 1980
There is a grease fitting attachment you can buy, can't remember where I got mine, I will try to figure it out. It goes on the end of the cable to grease it. Or you can remove the inner cable and lube it by hand.
John



Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 11/25/08 6:29am Message 3 of 9
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Lebanon, OH - USA
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 16
Vette(s): 1979 Green over Black / Doe Skin Interior 350 Automatic

I had the same problems with my 79. I would first take the cable out clean it and lube it. Make sure there are no kinks. The problem may be in the speed odometer it's self. My speed odometer made the same sound, waved and finally pegged over to max. I had to send it out to have it re-built, works OK now.




Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 11/25/08 12:14pm Message 4 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
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Here's the tool. Just be sure to use a lightweight grease...not a heavy wheel bearing type. The white lithium would be best, but I doubt you can find that in a grease-gun size.
While this may not be the best solution, since ya don't know how much grease yer putting in, it IS a lot easier/quicker than removing the speedo cable from the speedo head to get the inner cable out...
Plus, this will let ya put some lube on the cable, whether it fixes the noise/bounce or not....




Joel Adams
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Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 11/25/08 8:22pm Message 5 of 9
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mount airy, MD - USA
Joined: 8/27/2006
Posts: 71
Vette(s): 1981 Charcoal Met., Silver Interior, Gymkhana Suspension, 27K original miles. It's my daily driver.
Will this work on the speedo cable coming from the cruise control?  The instructions for the lubricator say it's for use on the trans end and also is for 62-74 Vette's.  Wonder if it's okay to use on an 81'?  Thanks,  Tom


1981 Corvette, 26K original miles, charcoal gray, gymkhana suspension, AM/FM/8 track.

Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 11/25/08 8:40pm Message 6 of 9
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
THe fittings from the CC to the speedo head are a different thread...smaller, I think, than the regular speedo cable fittings, but...with a little ingenuity, it could be made to work....or you could just dis-connect the cable from the speedo head, and do it that way, without buying the tool. It's just such a pita to get the cable disconnected most of the time. At least, for me it is...but I'm lazy....


Joel Adams
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             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 11/26/08 2:57pm Message 7 of 9
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Holland, OH - USA
Joined: 11/29/2004
Posts: 217
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition
    Make sure you disconnect both endas of the cable if u use this tool. I've seen people "hard pack" grease in the cable sleeve and that does no good at all. I prefer to remove the cable. That way, I can inspect it to make sure there is no damage to the cable. Clean the cable with brake cleaner, dry it off real good, hand lube it and re-install. Before I connect it, I usaully use the drill test to make sure it's working right and the lube is distributed and re-connect it. Hope this will help.
 
Jim



Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 12/4/08 10:23am Message 8 of 9
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Victor, NY - USA
Joined: 7/12/2004
Posts: 6841
Vette(s): 2004 Commemorative Edition Coupe, Auto w/HUD. 13K miles in 2015. Sold 1982 Red Coupe

I replaced my lower cable last year. It was not easy, but doable.

My cable was busted at the tranny end.
 
I would remove the lower cable, take the inner part out, inspect it, clean it, lube it with white lithium grease and put it back together.
 
If you still have the clicking, do the same with the upper cable.
That one is a little more difficult to remove, especially under the dash. But it can be done.



 
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Speedo Cable Noise

Posted: 12/4/08 7:25pm Message 9 of 9
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Choctaw, OK - USA
Joined: 4/23/2007
Posts: 37
Vette(s): 1975 C3, L-48 ; Red with black interior
I had to lube mine about 3 years ago and have had no problems with it since.  It also stopped the jumping as well.


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