Speedo cable to lube or not?

inovermyhead

inovermyhead

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Having spent most of a day to remove the speedometer from my car as it went on the fritz on the 40 degree Sunday drive last week, it will be sent away for repair as it refuses to drop below 30 mph, do I need to lube the cable while I have access?
What a nasty job getting the speedo out was, had to remove- seat, steering wheel, center console, heater console and the clock, then bend and force my hands into positions that were not normal, much cursing and swearing later finally managed to extract it, without dropping the heater box( which looked to be a whole other nightmare) , not looking forward to the reinstall.
No wonder my trusty bmw mechanic didn’t want to take the job on.....
Sorry for the ramble but I’m still shaking my head at the thought of it, who designed this???

Any way lube or not?

Cheers. John
 
john,
i do not have access to the manuals here but i remember tgat some where i read that if the cable spins in a nylon jacket there is no need to lube, only if it is metal metal yes
hope it helps
 
WD40 makes a graphite spray that works well. Bought some at Lowes. Disconnect both ends and spray until it comes out the bottom.
 
Yes, Rhd but difficult to tell if the cable is metal to metal or metal to nylon. I don’t have a graphite spray but I do have a silicone spray, would that work?
 
Oils have the tendency to collect dust over time. they will continue to lubricate, but as well 'catch' the dirt. After long it may clog in tight areas.
Using graphite powder (smash a pencil) gives same lubrication function, but it doesn't collect dust.

Graphite is a must have, as it is also THE choice for doors, trunks and ingnition lock lubrication.
For sale in any DIY store, usually next to the home door lock section.
 
eriknetherlands said:
Oils have the tendency to collect dust over time. they will continue to lubricate, but as well 'catch' the dirt. After long it may clog in tight areas.
Using graphite powder (smash a pencil) gives same lubrication function, but it doesn't collect dust.

Graphite is a must have, as it is also THE choice for doors, trunks and ingnition lock lubrication.
For sale in any DIY store, usually next to the home door lock section.
Click to expand...

i agree graphite is perfect for locks, never spray such as Wd40 or other thin oils there, only graphite

but in the case fo the speedo cable i wouldnt go for graphite
it is relatively nice speed and contact metal to metal if it is the case, moreover is confined and closed in a volume, no dust is comming in, so my vote would be for MoSi2 grease, the one at the CV joints
 
inovermyhead said:
Having spent most of a day to remove the speedometer from my car as it went on the fritz on the 40 degree Sunday drive last week, it will be sent away for repair as it refuses to drop below 30 mph, do I need to lube the cable while I have access?
What a nasty job getting the speedo out was, had to remove- seat, steering wheel, center console, heater console and the clock, then bend and force my hands into positions that were not normal, much cursing and swearing later finally managed to extract it, without dropping the heater box( which looked to be a whole other nightmare) , not looking forward to the reinstall.
No wonder my trusty bmw mechanic didn’t want to take the job on.....
Sorry for the ramble but I’m still shaking my head at the thought of it, who designed this???

Any way lube or not?

Cheers. John
Click to expand...
Call the company you are going to send the speedo to for repair. Many will give you instructions on how to give them the correct calibration based on the rear end ratio.
Mine went to one of the CA companies.
 
Last edited:
deQuincey said:
i agree graphite is perfect for locks, never spray such as Wd40 or other thin oils there, only graphite

but in the case fo the speedo cable i wouldnt go for graphite
it is relatively nice speed and contact metal to metal if it is the case, moreover is confined and closed in a volume, no dust is comming in, so my vote would be for MoSi2 grease, the one at the CV joints
Click to expand...
Would that be MoS2 grease? I don't think Molybdenum Disilicide has very good lubricative properties.
 
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