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madspaniard Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2008 Posts: 3795 Location: Alameda, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 5:50 pm Post subject: Speedometer bouncy needle |
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did some search but not conclusive results
Since I was changing brake lines to steel ones I decided to replace my original speedometer cable with this one from Van Cafe
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_853_616/1_piece_speedometer_cable_2wd_only.html
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This is German OE part - there are aftermarket ones (even though made in Germany or Italy) available but we have not been happy with them - we find they have too much friction and can make the needle bounce - these ones are the real deal! |
What do I get now? a bouncy needle. I hate myself for replacing something that, although old, was working perfectly. Preventive maintenance is sometimes evil! Does anybody know how to fix this bouncy needle?
Thanks! _________________ 1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD
"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali |
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Vango Conversions Samba Member
Joined: October 04, 2010 Posts: 1054 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:41 pm Post subject: |
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If your dust cap is put on even slightly crooked the needle will bounce. You need to make sure it's properly lubricated, although I can't remember what the proper lube is, and then try taking off the dust cap and putting it back on straight, this is probably your problem. Also make sure that the cable bends as gently as possible without kinks or sharp bends. |
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pinealservo Samba Member
Joined: March 08, 2010 Posts: 155 Location: Lehi, UT
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Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:33 pm Post subject: |
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I've heard that people have fixed some bouncy speedometers by changing the routing of the cable so the cable has a gradual curve and goes fairly straight into the back of the cluster. Also make sure the connection is seated well.
I had to lube the inside of my speedometer, but if yours worked fine with the previous cable, that's probably not your problem. Good luck getting it smooth again! It was worth all the trouble when my speedometer finally became quiet and smooth. |
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CQ Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2009 Posts: 546 Location: San Diego, CA
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 10:49 am Post subject: |
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I though the bounce was normal. In a normal vehicle you could use that for an excuse when you get pulled over for a speeding ticket. But in my Vanagon I guess I am never speeding _________________ 82 Westy 'Betsy'
72 Bus 'Bertha' -Sold
Learning about 2.0L AFC Everyday. |
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Airhead Jim Samba Member
Joined: December 01, 2010 Posts: 18 Location: Ventura, CA
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:19 am Post subject: Re: Speedometer bouncy needle |
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madspaniard wrote: |
did some search but not conclusive results
Since I was changing brake lines to steel ones I decided to replace my original speedometer cable with this one from Van Cafe
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_853_616/1_piece_speedometer_cable_2wd_only.html
Quote: |
This is German OE part - there are aftermarket ones (even though made in Germany or Italy) available but we have not been happy with them - we find they have too much friction and can make the needle bounce - these ones are the real deal! |
What do I get now? a bouncy needle. I hate myself for replacing something that, although old, was working perfectly. Preventive maintenance is sometimes evil! Does anybody know how to fix this bouncy needle?
Thanks! |
I beg to take issue with VanCafe's opinion (I respect it though). I have been running Fania Brazil Cables in both my 84s (the long Diesel style to bypass the "Time Box") for the past couple of years. I have had no "bounce" in my needle(s), even at slow speed. Perhaps they got a batch of bad cables somewhere, but it hasn't been an issue for these sold thru Airhead Parts (out of stock right now, waiting for more).
Just my nickel's worth _________________ Jim Thompson
(Old Volks Home Jim)
[email protected]
http://www.airheadparts.com
84 Vanagon GL
84 Westfalia 2.1
72 411 Station Wagon
75 Porsche 914 1.8 |
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MarkWard Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 17154 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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I went through this as well. The first cable was from BD and the needle was bouncing worse. I then "assumed" it was the head and sent it out for cleaning and lubrication. No problem found, needle still bounced. I saw the VC cable, but it seemed overpriced and ordered a second cable this time from GW. Before replacing the cable, I did the following.
I removed the dust cap and spun the cable with my battery powered drill. Needle bounced, I then removed the cable from the spindle and tested. Still bounced. I then removed the grill and stretched the cable out straight and ran the drill again. Needle still bounced. Installed the GW cable straight and test again. Needle smooth. I then routed the cable through the spindle and spun again. Still smooth, installed the dust cap with the circlip and a spot of silicone sealer and road test steady needle. I need the needle steady for the cruise to work properly. None of the suppliers make their own cables. My guess is the first one was defective and had I suspected it and contacted BD, I am sure they would have made good on it. But after the speedo service, too much time had gone by and I have had very good luck with the GW parts. The one they supplied has an orange sheath. It was a 1/3 of the cost of the VC one and solved the problem.
In the old days you could lube a speedo cable with graphite, but the new ones are swedged together and it would be difficult to lube completely. I also removed the adel clamp that secures the cable next to the spare thinking it might be pinching the cable. I am using two plastic tieraps to secure it in place of the clamp. Good luck. _________________ ☮️ |
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stevey88 Samba Member
Joined: January 16, 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: Fremont, SF Bay Area
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Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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I also have speedo cable problem with the one I bought from BD. The one I got from Rocky mountain Westy is much better. They have an extra reinforcement piece at the end that enter the speedo to make the cable straight at this end so the inner cable will center the moving part of the speedo and will not make the inner rotating part rub against the housing. It also have a sleeve over the cable where it exit the hub to protect it from rocks picked up by the front wheel. I got mine two years ago and they were out for a while and now they have it in stock again. You can tell the difference easily as it is orange in color.
http://www.rockymountainwesty.com/Vanagon_Spedometer_Cable_RWD_251957803E_p/251957803e.htm _________________ Steve
87 Westfalia full camper 4 speed |
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teej Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2010 Posts: 897 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 6:14 am Post subject: |
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One more data point:
Had a shop put in a new one piece (orange, Brazil origin) cable that they sourced. 2010. Needle bounced badly up to about 55mph where it steadied.
Tried numerous remedies since then.
Finally decided to experiment with van cafe's claim, and I bought and installed one of theirs.
Needle now is steady, much to my surprise and satisfaction.
Perhaps VW shop that put in the first one when I was vanagon clueless kinked the end, overall the cable seems high quality but the needle still bounced with a straight cable and hooked to my cordless drill. The tech did say "I've only done one of these before."
So either the van cafe hype is true, or there was a problem with the install of the first one, in any case ours works much better now with the cable VC sells. _________________ 1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans |
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davevickery Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2005 Posts: 2887 Location: Fort Collins, CO
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 7:17 am Post subject: |
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Another data point. Had a bouncing needle on my 90 van. Had VW shop replace it with their normal German sourced parts, although I don't know the brand they used. Perfect.
Had bouncing needed on my 87 van, looked at online choices and bought the BusDepot one. Still bounces. Lubed it and it was a little better. Still annoying minor bounce. Replaced rotors so I had the dust cap off. After getting it all back together, it bounces differently, worse actually at very low speeds then nothing after 30.
So I suspect the comment about the orientation of the dust cap is worth noting and is what I will try next. But I also got a new speedo cable from van-cafe because I respect what they say in their product descriptions. |
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alnvilma Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 395
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Posted: Fri Apr 27, 2012 7:23 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for posting this issue. I too went the VC cable route with the same bounce. Had the speedo checked out and tried many fixes to no avail.
Guess I'll try another brand. I want that 5 mph optimistic speedo error to be steady! |
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alnvilma Samba Member
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 395
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Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:17 am Post subject: |
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I had my speedometer checked out and it was found to be working beutifully at 188,000! My new full length cable didn't cure the bouncing needle. After reading this post, I bought the (orange) cable from Airheadparts.com and now all is well.
I don't know where I bought the other black cable, probably VanCafe or Bus Depot. What I noticed was the black cable spun very easily in the sheath. The new one is more resistant to rotation. |
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dobryan Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006 Posts: 16505 Location: Brookeville, MD
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kamzcab86 Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008 Posts: 7923 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:33 am Post subject: |
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Not that this will be anyone else's issue, but my bouncing speedo needle was a result of a busted speed signal generator for the Rostra cruise control. Replaced it and the two speedo cables recently with what the van originally had, a one-piece speedo cable (bought from GW)... no more bouncy needle. _________________ ~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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teej Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2010 Posts: 897 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:49 pm Post subject: |
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teej wrote: |
One more data point:
Had a shop put in a new one piece (orange, Brazil origin) cable that they sourced. 2010. Needle bounced badly up to about 55mph where it steadied.
Tried numerous remedies since then.
Finally decided to experiment with van cafe's claim, and I bought and installed one of theirs.
Needle now is steady, much to my surprise and satisfaction.
Perhaps VW shop that put in the first one when I was vanagon clueless kinked the end, overall the cable seems high quality but the needle still bounced with a straight cable and hooked to my cordless drill. The tech did say "I've only done one of these before."
So either the van cafe hype is true, or there was a problem with the install of the first one, in any case ours works much better now with the cable VC sells. |
Since I wrote the above, I ordered a brand new dust/grease cap, with a crisp square hole. Needle bounced like hell. Fiddled with it several times, still bounced. Never found a sweet spot.
Put the old one back on with it's square-ish hole. Needle once again pretty steady. More evidence for the sensitivity to grease cap position, the old one seems to fit/work better--new one in the spare parts bin. _________________ 1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans |
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Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 10:05 am Post subject: |
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Hee are a couple of idea's that may / may not cure the bouncing speedo needle--and seemed to have worked out pretty well for me.
Take the dust cap off, and lay it on a an anvil, or the back sectio of your vice--there it's flat.
Take a ball pein hammer and give the inside of the dust cap a good wack--a couple of themif necessary.
It'll close up the hole of the square drive hole a bit and keep it from slipping on the cable.
A little lubrication goes a long way, and I use either straight 30 weight oil in an antique pump oil can, or motorcycle cable lube.
The areosol cable lube with the straw extension on the nozzle seems to be able to drive the lube farther down the cable & worked good for me.
Stopped the bouncing anyway.
Have you guys looked to see if the new cables even have any oil in them?
I wouldn't think they should be dry fresh outa the box-- _________________ T.K. |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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My speedo needle bounced at low speed, so I bought a new cable.
the needle still bounced, and the cable broke after 150 miles, possibly my bad routing..
bought another speedo cable, needle still bounced
took speedo to a shop, they replaced something, took a bunch of my money, and the needle still bounces:
Link
_________________ My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco |
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outwesty Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2006 Posts: 1074 Location: Tahoe City
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2012 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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I had a slight bounce. (on a 2wd) The grease cap square was starting to round out. I put a dab of glue on the outside where the cable end pokes through and it all went away. Sure seems like there are several things that can cause this. |
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insyncro Banned
Joined: March 07, 2002 Posts: 15086 Location: New York
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:02 am Post subject: |
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Jon_slider wrote: |
My speedo needle bounced at low speed, so I bought a new cable.
the needle still bounced, and the cable broke after 150 miles, possibly my bad routing..
bought another speedo cable, needle still bounced
took speedo to a shop, they replaced something, took a bunch of my money, and the needle still bounces:
Link
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Spend more money and replace the speedo drive gear in the front diff. |
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presslab Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2008 Posts: 1730 Location: Sonoma County
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 7:59 am Post subject: |
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Jon_slider wrote: |
took speedo to a shop, they replaced something, took a bunch of my money, and the needle still bounces: |
Now that's some bounce! You need to get the cable as straight as possible. While driving, try to reach behind the speedo and move the cable around a bit where it enters the speedo head. Don't push too hard, that plastic is old. Little changes here can make a big difference. And don't crash.
A bit of light lube like Tri-Flow down the speedo cable can help.
It's also possible the speedometer head needs lubrication. If it's sticky or has been previously lubed with something too thick it can cause this. _________________ 1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti |
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Jon_slider Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2007 Posts: 5091 Location: Santa Cruz, Crowdifornia
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:47 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the suggestions.
Since this is the 3rd speedo cable, and it was professionally installed and routed, I plan to go back to the shop and have them try again, now that I have had the speedo professionally serviced also.
The speedo shop blames the speedo cable. I had to eliminate the possibility the problem was the speedo, by having it serviced.
I just wish the speedo would work right after I send it back, and I hope the cable works right, after it gets replaced again. Seems just my luck that some things take 4 tries to get right.
The speedo shop recalibrated my speedo at my request, but they got that wrong too. I told them my speedo indicated 70 when my gps indicated 75. They moved the needle the wrong way and made the problem twice as bad.
If anyone has a speedo shop they trust, please PM me the name of it.
I am intentionally avoiding naming names, and turning this into a blame game. I will post when the problem is solved. I just needed to vent my frustration. _________________ My Soapboxes: Inflation; Handling; Gearing; Decoupling; Swepco |
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