Speedometer Cable Question

[RRoller123]

Can't find anything in all my various manuals regarding lube of the speedo cable. I have the Instrument Panel out to finish the dash veneer (finally), and my speedo tends to wobble a little between 30-40mph. It is smooth everywhere else in the speed range. In removing the dash, the inner speedo cable came out a few inches, so it seems like it floats freely in the outer sleeve and just registers into a square (?) hole at the transmission end. I intend to try cleaning it and lubing it with graphite lock lubricant, then reinstalling it, but before I do this I wanted to get the opinions of you folks who have done this before. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Here are some photos for the heck of it of the dash reno.



MDF Press with holes to clear rubber grommets on dash back.



Chose the best part of the Madrone Burl piece. Last piece left, I sold the balance to 2 forum members!



Into the press

[donm]

Had the same problem with vibrating needle. Good ol "3 in 1"oil fixed it for me.

[81SPIDERMATT]

Had the same problem with vibrating needle. Good ol "3 in 1"oil fixed it for me.

ditto on the 3 in 1 .... mine was old and alot further gone than just a wobble... the oil made it all smooth for a bit till it snapped...

and the other end is square also... make sure you get the tranny side in also.... and yes you can do it from the speedo side.... after you slide it out and lubricate.... push all the way in when you feel it hit spin it slow and pressure .. you will feel it go in.

[RRoller123]

Thanks for the responses! I was thinking graphite, but based upon your input, I will go with the 3-IN-1. The dash reveneer is nearly done, but now I have a problem with the damned clock. I started pulling the cowl to replace the "glass" with actual glass, but stopped because it was clear that the rippled cowl was going to look like crap when it went back together. So... I puts it back together and reinsert the adjustment shaft/knob and now it won't adjust the time. Looks like I will be springing for a new replacement clock, which I was hoping to avoid. The clock runs perfectly too, keeps very accurate time.

[131]

After cleaning I've always reinstalled mine with a liberal coating of bearing grease.

[rlux4]

Regarding your clock; the adjustment shaft has a plastic gear pressed onto it that mates with a larger gear to adjust the time. This gear is probably loose on the shaft now and slides up when it meets the other gear. You can repair it though. You'd need to take the clock out of it's housing and use a tiny dab of super glue to get it to stay on the knurled section of the shaft because being plastic, once it's come loose it'll be too loose to stay in place now.
Ron

[RRoller123]

Thanks, I think I will try that, otherwise, this thing is pretty much useless. I would have to go out at exactly 2:48 and hook the battery back up to get it to read right.