The Ford Barn

marty in Ohio · 03-21-2022, 07:42 PM

I think I need to lubricate my speedometer cable. It's been a while. I think the cable comes out from the top, doesn't it? What should I lube it with? I just bought a new can of white lithium grease. Would that work?
Marty

gary678* · 03-21-2022, 08:37 PM

Cable attaches on both ends. Use a graphite based lubricant available from vendors.

J Franklin · 03-21-2022, 09:10 PM

Lock-Eze is an oil and graphite lube.

bobH · 03-22-2022, 12:29 AM

Marty, that white stuff is all we ever used, back in the day. I'm sure there is new thinking on this, but for whatever it's worth, the white stuff worked. We slathered it on with the palm of our hand. And, never put anything on the last foot or so (at the speedo end of the cable.)

bavArian · 03-22-2022, 12:40 AM

I think it is more important to clean the cable properly than what grease you use. As long as the entire cable ist coated of course.

Big hammer · 03-22-2022, 09:09 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

White lithium grease when it dries out turns to concrete ! Graphite lubricant would be better!

chrs1961815 · 03-22-2022, 10:00 AM

Graphite lube is the best. White grease shouldn't be allowed anywhere as it dries out and sucks. People used to use it as an assembly lube and when the engine would sit for a while, it would seize.

katy · 03-22-2022, 11:02 AM

I've used chassis grease for years w/out problems.

rotorwrench · 03-23-2022, 10:32 AM

The old Lubriplate Aero or 630 is what I use on the helicopter tach cables. It was called out for it. Moly grease would be OK. The cables can be subjected to water in some areas so Lubriplate was used due to it's capability to work in a moisture laden environment. You can't lube a cable and expect it to work forever. A person should pull it, clean it, and lube it every 2 to 4 years depending on use and environmental conditions. Most folks don't think about the lowly teleflex cables so they suffer for it.

If a car sets for long periods, all items that require lubricant should be tended to before getting the car back on the road.

marty in Ohio · 03-23-2022, 05:11 PM

Thanks, guys. I didn't know that the white lithium grease gets hard. I'll pull out the cable tomorrow and clean it, put some grease on it and put it back in.
Always good advice here.
Marty

rotorwrench · 03-24-2022, 11:09 AM

All greases get hard over long periods.

03-21-2022, 07:42 PM	#1
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 755	Speedometer lube I think I need to lubricate my speedometer cable. It's been a while. I think the cable comes out from the top, doesn't it? What should I lube it with? I just bought a new can of white lithium grease. Would that work? Marty

03-21-2022, 08:37 PM	#2
gary678* Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 165	Re: Speedometer lube Cable attaches on both ends. Use a graphite based lubricant available from vendors.

03-21-2022, 09:10 PM	#3
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Speedometer lube Lock-Eze is an oil and graphite lube.

03-22-2022, 12:29 AM	#4
bobH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: so cal, placerville, vegas Posts: 1,394	Re: Speedometer lube Marty, that white stuff is all we ever used, back in the day. I'm sure there is new thinking on this, but for whatever it's worth, the white stuff worked. We slathered it on with the palm of our hand. And, never put anything on the last foot or so (at the speedo end of the cable.)

03-22-2022, 12:40 AM	#5
bavArian Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Germany Posts: 215	Re: Speedometer lube I think it is more important to clean the cable properly than what grease you use. As long as the entire cable ist coated of course.

03-22-2022, 09:09 AM	#6
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,127	Re: Speedometer lube Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) White lithium grease when it dries out turns to concrete ! Graphite lubricant would be better! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

03-22-2022, 10:00 AM	#7
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Speedometer lube Graphite lube is the best. White grease shouldn't be allowed anywhere as it dries out and sucks. People used to use it as an assembly lube and when the engine would sit for a while, it would seize. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

03-22-2022, 11:02 AM	#8
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: Speedometer lube I've used chassis grease for years w/out problems. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

03-23-2022, 10:32 AM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,420	Re: Speedometer lube The old Lubriplate Aero or 630 is what I use on the helicopter tach cables. It was called out for it. Moly grease would be OK. The cables can be subjected to water in some areas so Lubriplate was used due to it's capability to work in a moisture laden environment. You can't lube a cable and expect it to work forever. A person should pull it, clean it, and lube it every 2 to 4 years depending on use and environmental conditions. Most folks don't think about the lowly teleflex cables so they suffer for it. If a car sets for long periods, all items that require lubricant should be tended to before getting the car back on the road.

03-23-2022, 05:11 PM	#10
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 755	Re: Speedometer lube Thanks, guys. I didn't know that the white lithium grease gets hard. I'll pull out the cable tomorrow and clean it, put some grease on it and put it back in. Always good advice here. Marty

03-24-2022, 11:09 AM	#11
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,420	Re: Speedometer lube All greases get hard over long periods.

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