speedometer questions

[Guest]

has anyone experienced the speedometer needle bouncing as you drive?
Mine has been doing that for a while and it's starting to get me dizzy.

Is there a fix or is a new speedo required?

Thanks guy!

[JohnG]

RE: speedometer questions

I had a repair shop tell me that it was because the unit needed
lubrication. If you remove it (quite easy to do) there is supposed
to be a couple of small openings in the rear which provide access
to an oil wick. You put some sewing machine grade oil into the
wick which in turns conducts it to the needy areas.

That failing, there are a number of good instrument repair
specialists who can put it into good shape (see ads in Hemmings) so buying another should not be necessary. Besides, the one you buy will probably not be in any better condition!

John
58 Hardtop

[Alexander]

RE: speedometer questions

I have often had this problem. It is exacerbated by cold weather. The problem is the speedometer cable is lacking lubrication. The bobbing of the needle is caused by the cable momentarily catching on the cable conduit, twisitng and then rotating again.

Pulling the speedometer out is easy. Pull the bezel towards you. It should just pop from the dash. Unscrew the four black hex head screws. Pull the speedometer towards you. Do not force anything. diconnect the bulbs. Remember the wiring colors. The blue lead ones are for the backlighting. The one other one is for the high beam indicator. Unscrew the cable sheath from the speedometer. You should not need any tools. It should lossen by hand. Remove the speedometer. You will see a square end of the cable in the sheat. Pull it out with a needle nose pliers. Do not crush the square end. The cable should come out easily. Clean the cable. Check to see that is not frayed or otherwise damaged. Lubricate preferably with a special speedometer lubricant that you can buy at an auto parts store.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[BlackBird58]

RE: speedometer questions

I had this problem with my speedometer. I replaced the speedo cable and the problem continued. Then I sent the speedo itself to be repaired at D&M Restoration. Problem solved. The speedometer isn't that accurate, but that's another issue altogether.

Mel

[Guest]

RE: speedometer questions

Thanks for the advice, I will try tonight and see where the problem lies, it sounds pretty common and easy to fix.

Thanks again.

[fomoco59]

RE: speedometer questions

After 15 years of driving SquareBirds, I just noticed that the 130 and 140 MPH numbers are reversed (upside down?) on the dial ! Guess I rarely push the needle up that high !! }> Actually, probably never above 70 mph.... (yet)

[Alexander]

RE: speedometer questions

I think 130 and 140 are right side up.

Do you think it is too late to ask Ford to recall these models?

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JohnG]

RE: speedometer questions

I had a speedometer apart last summer and noticed that if you
carefully remove the odometer portion (only held in by clips) you then are staring at a brass bushing that the drive shaft goes through, allowing you to get the lubricant of your choice in there, which should help matters.

JOHN