Speedometer cable whine......?

[RoadRunning]

So finally got the 70 Road Runner in shape to take around thte block. Crossed fingers everything was going to work and sound well. It did for the first 5 min but then a whining/slight grind noise started. It is not coming from transmission or engine as the noise continued in nuetral and the speedometer reading was flopping around pretty good. Im thinking it is the speedo cable making the noise? Now from what I read it sounds like it may need to be lubed? Its been years since this bird drove. Is it possible to lube it up without taking the dash apart? Looking for an easy fix hopefully without having to take out steering columns to get to it. A yone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

My first two guesses would be that it needs to be lubricated like you think OR it got up against something hot & melted the outer casing. You can look under the car to see if it's up against the exhaust.

The speedometer cable can be slipped out of the casing & lubricated, but I can't remember if it can slide out either end or just one end...and if just one end, I can't remember which one. Anyway, jack the car up and put it on jack stands. Take a big crescent wrench, correct size open wrench OR (gulp) some vise grips if you're gentle and loosen the big nut where the speedometer cable attaches to the transmission. I've seen some (aftermarket or older?) that requires a set of vise grips (round nut). Anyway, see if you can slide the cable out of the housing, lube it up (I prefer graphite) and gently slide it all the way back in & re-tighten nut.

Anybody else here sure which end the cable slides out?

 

[khryslerkid]

Anybody else here sure which end the cable slides out?

Most come out the top. Remove from behind the speedometer head, then you can pull it out of the housing. With the right small syringe try to get a couple of drops of light oil into the back of the head where the cable goes in. If that doest do it, time for a rebuild. I normally didn't find a dry cable causing a whining. Dry or obstructed cables will cause needle jumping and chattering.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Most come out the top. Remove from behind the speedometer head, then you can pull it out of the housing. With the right small syringe try to get a couple of drops of light oil into the back of the head where the cable goes in. If that doest do it, time for a rebuild. I normally didn't find a dry cable causing a whining. Dry or obstructed cables will cause needle jumping and chattering.

I will go with Krysler on this one. You can reach your arm WAY up in there and squeeze the end of the cable at the speedometer and it will pull out, then follow Krysler's advice. I'd also look to see if it melted underneath (ask me why I say that)

 

[khryslerkid]

I will go with Krysler on this one. You can reach your arm WAY up in there and squeeze the end of the cable at the speedometer and it will pull out, then follow Krysler's advice. I'd also look to see if it melted underneath (ask me why I say that)

Why did you say that? Lol

 

[RoadRunning]

I think we will disconnect it at the transmission to make sure that is the problem. Hopefully we wont hear that awful noise when it is disconnected. If that is the problem, sounds like it might be a bit of a pain to get the lube in the cable if we need to disconnect it at the speedometer in the dash.

 

[Darter6]

That happened to my 63 Valiant.The whining along with jumpy needle.Long ago a Speedometer shop told me to use Vaseline to lube the cable.Also there is a bronze bushing like kryslerkid mentioned.Use a Q tip with the Vaseline and pack some in to the bushing. Worked for me.

 

[RoadRunning]

Thanks for the responses, do we have to take the dash out to get at the bushing and the end of the cable that needs the lube?

 

[Darter6]

No. You should be able to get to it under the dash. If you are old,fat and not flexable and can't see(like ME !)Then make sure someone is around.Last time I tried I got stuck !
Some cables have a stop on one end, usually at the speedo head so you can't pull the cable out from the tranny side.Make sure you have some rags handy while you pull the cable out.It will be plenty dirty black and it gets everywhere and hard to wipe clean from seats and rugs.Wipe it as clean as you can before you lube.