The Ford Barn

Jim.UT · 01-05-2026, 11:07 AM

My speedometer makes a rhythmic sound at low speeds...most noticeable below 20 mph. The needle pulsates along with the sound. At speeds > 20 mph the sound gets less noticeable and the needle smooths out.

Is this a lubrication issue or does the speedo need to be rebuilt?

The car spent 30 years sitting in a garage waiting for delivery of a roundtuit that never came. Then another guy bought it and restored it before I bought it.

dmsfrr · 01-05-2026, 01:26 PM

Starting with the simple and least expensive fixes... it's probably been several years since the speedometer cable and bushing in the speedometer head were lubricated.

While you're at it the distributor shaft also has an oil fitting.
Similar to these two example photos.
.

paul2748 · 01-05-2026, 08:23 PM

While DMSFRR mentioned the oil cup on the distributor, there is another thing you should oil on the distributor. If you look into the top of the shaft, you should see a felt piece. This should be oiled as well - it provides some lubrication for the items down below

dmsfrr · 01-06-2026, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul2748

While DMSFRR mentioned the oil cup on the distributor, there is another thing you should oil on the distributor. If you look into the top of the shaft, you should see a felt piece. This should be oiled as well - it provides some lubrication for the items down below

It looks like I unintentionally confused things by using an example photo of a '57 distributor in my previous comment.

The original Loadomatic style distributor in a '55 or '56 has no felt oil wick in the top center of the distributor shaft. But as with all points style distributors there is a lobe and rubbing block lubricant that should be lightly used.

fordor41 · 01-21-2026, 07:00 PM

Our '41 speedo had same problem. Pulled the speedo out, found a small hole packed with some cotton like packing. Spun the speedo in correct direction with a battery drill while dripping light oil in and quieted right down, no noise or jumping needle

rjlester · 01-21-2026, 08:22 PM

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Lube that Speedo asap. I kept driving my car for a few days after I started hearing noise and the speedo locked up. This resulted in taking out my speedo cable.

I should add that I was able to free up my speedo, and lubed it. I also took it apart and lubed some of the internals. That was three years ago, still works fine.

skyliner 54 · 01-23-2026, 07:13 AM

Old school. Remove the cable from the sheath, clean it with a solvent, wipe it down with some powdered graphite and replace.

Hot Rod Reverend · 01-24-2026, 03:57 PM

Have you watched this video? I go through the exercise of replacing the speedometer cable... and lubricating.

https://youtu.be/kaJPfHet5ps

rotorwrench · 01-30-2026, 05:36 PM

The speedometers generally have a rotating magnet, driven by the cable, that pulls at the drag cup attached to the needle sweep arm shaft. The bearings are very sensitive since the needle clock spring has to be able to easily return the arm to zero at stop. If any of the bearings get out of spec due to wear then eventually the drag cup will stick to the rotating magnet so it's a good idea to service them now and then. A sticky drive cable will have a flex problem inside the outer housing tube so they need to be cleaned and serviced as well.

01-05-2026, 11:07 AM	#1
Jim.UT Member Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Washington, Utah Posts: 57	Noisy speedometer - 55 Fairlane My speedometer makes a rhythmic sound at low speeds...most noticeable below 20 mph. The needle pulsates along with the sound. At speeds > 20 mph the sound gets less noticeable and the needle smooths out. Is this a lubrication issue or does the speedo need to be rebuilt? The car spent 30 years sitting in a garage waiting for delivery of a roundtuit that never came. Then another guy bought it and restored it before I bought it.

01-05-2026, 08:23 PM	#3
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 4,406	Re: Noisy speedometer - 55 Fairlane While DMSFRR mentioned the oil cup on the distributor, there is another thing you should oil on the distributor. If you look into the top of the shaft, you should see a felt piece. This should be oiled as well - it provides some lubrication for the items down below __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

01-21-2026, 07:00 PM	#5
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,576	Re: Noisy speedometer - 55 Fairlane Our '41 speedo had same problem. Pulled the speedo out, found a small hole packed with some cotton like packing. Spun the speedo in correct direction with a battery drill while dripping light oil in and quieted right down, no noise or jumping needle

01-21-2026, 08:22 PM	#6
rjlester Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2022 Posts: 291	Re: Noisy speedometer - 55 Fairlane Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Lube that Speedo asap. I kept driving my car for a few days after I started hearing noise and the speedo locked up. This resulted in taking out my speedo cable. I should add that I was able to free up my speedo, and lubed it. I also took it apart and lubed some of the internals. That was three years ago, still works fine.

01-23-2026, 07:13 AM	#7
skyliner 54 Junior Member Join Date: May 2022 Location: Webster, ny Posts: 9	Re: Noisy speedometer - 55 Fairlane Old school. Remove the cable from the sheath, clean it with a solvent, wipe it down with some powdered graphite and replace.

01-24-2026, 03:57 PM	#8
Hot Rod Reverend Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Red Lion, Pennsylvania Posts: 952	Re: Noisy speedometer - 55 Fairlane Have you watched this video? I go through the exercise of replacing the speedometer cable... and lubricating. https://youtu.be/kaJPfHet5ps __________________ Red Lion, Pennsylvania Visit hotrodreverend.com to view hundreds of pictures and videos of the build of the 1955 Ford Club Sedan!

01-30-2026, 05:36 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,006	Re: Noisy speedometer - 55 Fairlane The speedometers generally have a rotating magnet, driven by the cable, that pulls at the drag cup attached to the needle sweep arm shaft. The bearings are very sensitive since the needle clock spring has to be able to easily return the arm to zero at stop. If any of the bearings get out of spec due to wear then eventually the drag cup will stick to the rotating magnet so it's a good idea to service them now and then. A sticky drive cable will have a flex problem inside the outer housing tube so they need to be cleaned and serviced as well.