Speedometer Lubrication

[Drbrown]

Had my '47 dash board apart to do some wiring. Decided to lubricate the speedometer since the indicator needle had been wobbling a bit. The unit is easily removed (two anchor studs) and the lube hole is on the back-top.

I use LaBelle lubrication products for my modeling projects. They offer a variety of lubrication products for various needs. I choose their 108 Light Grade Oil which is made for instruments and similar uses. The small bottle has a long needle to control dosage.

The lubrication wick in my speedometer looked very dry so I applied one drop at a time .... five drops total. It cured the speedometer problem.

Attached is a photo showing the lubrication hole.

[Old Henry]

I use good old-fashioned 3-IN-ONE oil.

[Drbrown]

Old Henry .... guess I'm only using One-In-One !

[highbeams]

What or where is the speedometer wick? Just curious. Thanks!

[WestCoast]

the speedo wick is a felt plug that goes under the welch plug located on top of the speedo housing on top where the speedo cable screws on, use a small screw that you can screw into the plug tight enough to use a pair of plyers to wiggle the plug out, then put 2 or 3 drops of 3n1 oil or sewing machine oil in the hole, then turn the cable shaft with your fingers till it turns free, put 3 or 4 drops of oil on wick and put in hole add a few more drops of oil with the wick in the hole till its fully wet, replace plug and your good to go don't lose the plug it holds the wick in place and keeps dirt and dust form getting on speedo needle shaft

[Old Henry]

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The oil hole on my 47 speedometer is just an open hole with the felt under it to put the oil. (Lined with gold grommet/bushing in picture.)

[Drbrown]

The oil hole in Old Henry's photo is very similar to my '47. Click on my photo and look at the speedometer in the lower left corner. You can see an open oil hole on the neck where the speedometer cable attaches. Mine is an open hole (no cover) and I can see the wick about an 1/8 inch below the top of the hole. I suspect that from year-to-year and pending manufacturer the appearance and forming changes.

[Old Henry]

It could also be that mine is missing something, like the same thing shown in Drbrown's that goes in the hole.

[D. Jones]

Since I collect old clocks I used clock oil on the speed-o-meter in my 45 pickup. It's made so it doesn't attract dirt like some lubricants do.

[bobwellsnoveltyshop]

I have redone over 180 speedometers in the last six years, I take out the cover by using a drill bit that is just a little bit snug and turn it back and forth and it comes loose and then I take a wire and fish out the wick and then use a light oil to lubricate inside and then put the wick back in oiled. Some times if you heat up where the oil hole is it will help free up some that are stuck.

[highbeams]

Thanks for the info! Never knew this.

Pat

[dwick01]

I know this is an old thread but I am having similar problems with my speedometer and cable, and this helped a bunch. I didn't know there was a lubrication hole available. I too, have a '47 and I have disconnected the cable and getting ready to shoot some lube down it. It had started screaming and the needle jumping back and forth, so hoping doing all of this will fix the problem. Thanks for sharing this information!

[1948F-1Pickup]

Took mine out of the dash today, cleaned and lubed it. Having done the cable prior, it's about 98% now...... so about as I good as I could have hoped for.

[Zeke3]

It is great to bring these helpful topics up to the top again. I had not heard of a lube hole on the speedometer before. Now I have to see if the 37 speedometer has a similar access hole.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by Zeke3

It is great to bring these helpful topics up to the top again. I had not heard of a lube hole on the speedometer before. Now I have to see if the 37 speedometer has a similar access hole.

Zeke,

Did you find a speedo lube hole in the 1937?

I am looking to service mine.

Thanks.

[Zeke3]

Tony, I don't remember if I ever looked. I will check a couple of speedometers tomorrow and post the answer.

[40cpe]

My '38 has a lube hole. I used a sharp knife blade to get under the edge of the brass cover in the hole.

[Zeke3]

I have three 1937 speedometers, two appear to have a lube port and one does not. There is also a hole where the cable housing attaches that also may be for lubing the speedo internals or maybe just for breathing. I could not find any manufacturers identification on any of the gauges that I have. So, to answer the question on whether the 1937 speedo will have a lube port, I would have to say, it depends.