Speedometer Question!!

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I remember reading somehow, somewhere, that there is a oil hole on the back of the speedometer...Dang if I can find it!!
The needle is starting to stick sometimes, and I live near a speed trap town.
Any ideas from the brain trust?

[Deleted]

I thought I had heard that, too, once upon a time.

I looked in my spares and found two civies and two military models...none had a spot for lube. Maybe what I am thinking is the M series speedo? I've got one in my GPW (shhhh...don't tell the PO-lease....one day I get my original rebuilt)...later today I'll try to peak under the dash for a look.

I know it's been approved to coat the wire that travels to the transfer case with graphite. I also think I once heard NOT to squirt oil in the speedo because dirt and dust will stick to it and that can cause the gears to bind.

Yep...I've totally muddied your water!

[Deleted]

I too believe it's the M series also, I have a dead one I will check!. I would work some light oil in around the input for the cable and see if that helps. I often take my GPS with me as it tells you the speed limit and the speed your traveling, very handy.

Lee

[Deleted]

gmcjr, Love your avatar, but isn't it "where there's a will, there's a whole lot of vultures"??
All kidding aside!
Lee. I just finished my re-build on a 49 willys jeepster, and am on my third speedometer head. The original had no needle points, so ordered a used instrument panel from Harry Sheets, which was in perfect working order. I also installed a brand new speedometer cable along the way. Last fall, when I got it started, and went for the "first road trip", it was kinda cool out, and I twisted of the speedometer head!! I just recieved another speedometer head from Harry, and it seems to turn much more freely than the first. I tried to insert some graphite powder into the work's, but on the last test drive, it had that awfull whirring-grinding noise so I disconnected the cable, and am looking for probably the same information that gmcjr is looking for!
I'm not realy into this new fangled stuff, just like to see the original stuff working!! I guesse my question is this, "where and what to use to lubricate the speedo head"??
Chuck

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I have had luck working in fine oil around the cable connection area, I would not use graphite as it is dry and IMHO the works needs some wet! as it's thirsty , I think if one looks around the various Jeep forums you will find where some brave soul has opened up the speedo and revived it, I think I have seen it on the G503, I will look

Lee

[Deleted]

Here is a link to a slatgrill speedo repair.

g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=78165

Lee

[Deleted]

Thanks Chuck! I think Bill Mauldin's original caption was "A helleva way to waste time!", lol.

Thanks Lee, I'll look at the link you posted!
I'm hoping a little oil around the cable connection will do the trick. As far as I can tell, that is the original speedo, it worked flawlessly until a couple days ago.
Just wanted to get everyone thoughts!

[Deleted]

Follow up, I used some fine oil around the cable connection. Put it back in and went for a drive, it did seem to operate better,
but it didn't prevent a flat tire!!!

Lee, I looked at the post you linked....Wow!! I knew speedo's where complex, but that was a eye opener!!

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LOL, at my place if it takes more than a simple oil job, it's off to the experts . I have pried apart a couple extra-crappy take outs and decided my skills and time are better spent on things I understand .

Lee

[Haines Garage]

OK .. Like Sir Schimmster would say . I always avoid the tech , because I really have no fF ing idea what I am talking about.
However,,, I did do a post here when I cleaned up my speedometer .
Take the cover off , spin the mechanism .
It is simple clockwork , and Awesome!!!!

I cleaned mine up with light compressed air , and used graphite to lube the parts.

Just because I am not a member on all Jeep websites, banned from one , does not mean I don't do my research .

The light oil is also a favorite out there .

[Deleted]

May 24, 2014 22:09:18 GMT -5 Haines Garage said:

Just because I am not a member on all Jeep websites, banned from one , does not mean I don't do my research .

Haha...the "bad boy" of the virtual jeep world! I went searching for your speedo thread but couldn't find it. Where is it?

I took apart a WW2 speedo...or at least attempted to. (Yes, I know about the radioactive part, Leo). I had a guy in France send me some info on how to do it. I had a clockmakers tool for removing the hands...was using it on the dial, but I just couldn't get it to pop off in order to remove the face. It got to the point where it felt like too much pressure was being exerted on a delicate part that had no intention on budging. So, I backed away from the workbench.

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And Gary...come to think of it...I do remember the oiler plug!

Here it is...on my WW2 speedo...click the link....

Bo's speedo blog post!.
(Hell, yeah! I legitimately worked in the blog this time, HG!)

Gary...7th picture down you will see it referenced. You need to remove the can cover to see it, I think.

Bo!

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Thanks Bo!
If get braver, I'll attempt to remove the bezel and have a look-see!

[Haines Garage]

Sir Moose a twing

DID YOU JUST PLUG YOUR SHOW ON MY SHOW!!!!!!

Please add your blog site to the links to the flat fender world section,

It is Fantastically written and very informative!!!

Who did the actual work on that jeep however is never really revealed .....

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Lee
Could I get some reaction to some choices of lubricantes for the speedo?
1-wd40
2-silicone spray
3-atf

Just thinking!!

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If you have the oil hole, it's located on the side just above the threads that the speedo cable screws on to. I've seen it on my jeep pickup speedo. Now, what i usually do is even more simple. Find a sray can paint top or lid, or a small cup. Fill it up with a light oil. Then set the speedo face up and immerse the threaded stem where the cable screws on into the oil. Let it sit there over night. It wells or attracts the oil up in there. Remember, just the threaded part of the stem. Too much oil is bad also. john

[Haines Garage]

Fantastic Response Sir Leaker! Thanks for the post.
For the record, I am no fan of WD-40...

Here it comes.................

[Deleted]

WD stands for water displacement. It's a film that displaces water. if you store a metal object that gets very cold, like in a unheated shed, When a front that is warm comes through, the metal will frost up, sweat. This starts corrosion and rust. Spray WD 40 all over it before storage. This stops the damage caused by water. As a lubricant, it's poor. Oil

[Haines Garage]

May 27, 2014 19:10:49 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

WD stands for water displacement. It's a film that displaces water. if you store a metal object that gets very cold, like in a unheated shed, When a front that is warm comes through, the metal will frost up, sweat. This starts corrosion and rust. Spray WD 40 all over it before storage. This stops the damage caused by water. As a lubricant, it's poor. Oil

Thank You!!!!!!

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Remembering back a long way, it seem's that we used to spray the distributor cap and plug wires on our jeeps with WD40 before deep creek crossings to try to prevent stalling in the creek. If I remember right, it did help quite a bit! FWIW