Speedometer cable making noise

MO351

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

136

0

16

MO USA

May 23, 2005

#1

• May 23, 2005

• #1

Ok. I searched and read quite a few threads but didn't find out how to fix it other than possibly replacing the cable. I saw a few times where it was mentioned about maybe lubing it but then the answer to that particular part was either PM'd to the other party or just not posted. So.......here's my problem. I can hear a scratchy/grinding noise from behind the gauge cluster. I'm betting it's the speedometer cable because it gets faster as I increase speed and vice versa. I think I can hear it outside the car when I have the windows down, too. Now the speedometer doesn't have much of a problem until about 70-75 or so then it'll wiggle a little occassionally and it also seems to be off a little the faster I go past that mph. Is there a way to just lube the thing without replacing it? The car has 141,100 miles on it. 1990 GT 5-speed.

 

Fishhawk

New Member

Jun 10, 2004

281

0

0

Michigan City, Indiana

May 23, 2005

#2

• May 23, 2005

• #2

MO351 said:

Ok. I searched and read quite a few threads but didn't find out how to fix it other than possibly replacing the cable. I saw a few times where it was mentioned about maybe lubing it but then the answer to that particular part was either PM'd to the other party or just not posted. So.......here's my problem. I can hear a scratchy/grinding noise from behind the gauge cluster. I'm betting it's the speedometer cable because it gets faster as I increase speed and vice versa. I think I can hear it outside the car when I have the windows down, too. Now the speedometer doesn't have much of a problem until about 70-75 or so then it'll wiggle a little occassionally and it also seems to be off a little the faster I go past that mph. Is there a way to just lube the thing without replacing it? The car has 141,100 miles on it. 1990 GT 5-speed.

Click to expand...

Lubing it is just a band-aid. Get a new one and be done with it.

 

dlaul01

New Member

Apr 2, 2005

169

0

0

May 23, 2005

#3

• May 23, 2005

• #3

Mine does the same thing i have the same year. I will be lubing mine until next week then will be buying a new one.. My dad said when he had one when he was young his did it to very common probelm.

 

srothfuss

Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row

Oct 17, 2004

1,796

3

0

Woodward Ave.

May 23, 2005

#4

• May 23, 2005

• #4

Another vote for just getting a new cable.

The cable has worn thru it's liner and is now rubbing on the hard plastic / metal outer casing. This is what is causing it to squeak. The lube will only postpone the inevitable.... you need a new cable.

 

MO351

Founding Member

Jan 14, 2002

136

0

16

MO USA

May 23, 2005

#5

• May 23, 2005

• #5

Thanks. Guess i'll just change it out and be done with it.

 

G

GT89Mustang

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

0

0

0

Monmouth County, NJ

May 23, 2005

#6

• May 23, 2005

• #6

Anyone know how much they are from the dealer? I need to replace mine.

 

G

gooch06

New Member

Sep 23, 2004

117

0

0

May 23, 2005

#7

• May 23, 2005

• #7

My cable from ford was $30.00. It fits a 1990 5.0 with Cruise control and Manual tranny

 

G

GT89Mustang

New Member

Mar 31, 2005

0

0

0

Monmouth County, NJ

May 23, 2005

#8

• May 23, 2005

• #8

gooch06 said:

My cable from ford was $30.00. It fits a 1990 5.0 with Cruise control and Manual tranny

Click to expand...

Cool thanks, mines an 89 5.0 5spd with cruise control so it should be the same, i guess ill be getting one tomorrow.

 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!

Jul 3, 2001

10,262

1

0

Mill Creek, WA

May 23, 2005

#9

• May 23, 2005

• #9

I'm going against the grain and going to say just to lube it.

I've had noisy cables before and lubed them and never heard a peep from them again. I don't know if it's the right grease, but I usually put a little whitelithium grease in the end ofthe cable before putting it into the cluster and it's silent. It's certainly cheaper and less work.

 

dlaul01

New Member

Apr 2, 2005

169

0

0

May 25, 2005

#10

• May 25, 2005

• #10

My dad also said if you put a little bit of grease in it, it will never do it again at least his did not. I think im going to just replace it what is involved in doing this?

 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!

Jul 3, 2001

10,262

1

0

Mill Creek, WA

May 25, 2005

#11

• May 25, 2005

• #11

To replace it you will need to disconnect from the back of the gauge cluster, disconnect from the side of the transmission, unbolt it from the frame, and snake it out. Installation would be reverse of removal. Of course, you will most likely need to remove the gauge cluster and other stuff in the way to get to it.

To lube it, you would just remove the gauge cluster, lube the end, and replace it.

 

C

Crafty'04Terminator

New Member

Jul 5, 2016

1

0

0

Jul 5, 2016

#12

• Jul 5, 2016

• #12

Hey, I'm new to the forum...I found it because I have a similar problem with the chirping/squeaking noise. 04 Cobra I picked up last fall. I really only hear the noise in 5th or 6th gear (i.e. highway speeds, low RPMs). The car only has less than 14k miles. I'll try replacing the speedometer cable and see if that helps. Any other tips or ideas?

 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL

In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions

Mar 10, 2000

27,512

2,811

234

Dublin GA

Jul 6, 2016

#13

• Jul 6, 2016

• #13

@Crafty'04Terminator

@Noobz347 - Please move this post to the 1996-2004 Modular forum

For your 2004 car, one of the Modular forums would be a better choice to get a good answer.
Talk forum - http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/forums/1996-2004-sn95-mustang-general-talk.52/
Tech forum - http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/forums/SN95-46L-Mustang/

I believe that all the 1996 and later cars used an electronic speedometer which did not have a speedometer cable, They use a VSS sensor that is located on the transmission tailshaft housing. I doubt that it is the source of your problem.

 

Last edited: Jul 6, 2016