Recommended Speedo Cable Lubricant

[Ozmello]

Typical story, high pitched squealing behind the speedometer. Opened the dash, removed the cable from the speedometer, confirmed that the it was intact, and then lubricated it using a dry graphite spray. Corrected the problem for a few miles and then the squealing was back. Repeated the process, same result.

Decided I needed a spray with a higher operating temperature. Same process, same result. So, is a dry graphite spray the way to go and I just haven't pumped enough in, or is there a better solution?

[mondshine]

Look carefully at the routing of the cable. Sharp bends are not OK.

There is also the possibility that it is the speedometer that is doing the howling.

You could disconnect the speedometer cable and drive around the block to check that.

This write-up might be helpful. Although the speedometer shown is slightly different than yours, the operating principle is the same.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=327535

Good luck.

[Ozmello]

Thanks,Mondshine. The link you provided seemed to prefer 3N1 as a lubricant for the cable. Would any penetrating oil, ie, WD40 or Blaster, work? I'll check routing. I'm pretty confident that it's the cable that's squealing simply because it goes away for a short time when I hit it with the graphite, but I will work to isolate the speedometer just to confirm.

[mondshine]

WD-40 is not really a lubricant. PB Blaster is (sort of). My choice is ATF in a lubricating syringe. Or use whatever is handy.

Example: https://www.amazon.com/Hobbico-12cc-Curved-Hobby-S...amp;sr=8-3

You could probably find something similar locally in a hobby shop or even a dime store.


Not too much, because some of it will end up in your driver's side front wheel bearing grease cover.