Speedometer Bounce

I'm in the process of trying to get my speedometer working properly, it was bouncing around a lot (0 to 60) I removed it and checked the gears out, it was binding on the plastic odometer gear slightly every 3rd or fourth turn it would get stiff, I removed the odometer gear reinstalled it and it seems to be a lot better but still bounces a bit, when driving at about 30 it will move around from 25-35 or so.

Is this normal or should it be rock steady at the given speed ?

I have a new cable but haven't removed the old one from the trans gear yet.

 

change cable and let us know . this has been discussed many times . a piece of old cable and a variable drill will tell you if speedo is the problem

 

Yep, cable. May also want to check the sheathing where it makes the somewhat tight turn into the transfercase.

 

Make sure the nut at each end is threaded on fully.

Sometimes lubing the cable is all it needs.

Other times, the inner core may be frayed, the tip worn, or the core is slightly too long or too short.

 

i have a similar problem. brand new speedometer and brand new cable. runs smooth until about 35 then starts jumping around while on the gas. smooths out if i let it coast. i'm thinking there is wear or something loose at the transfer case, but don't care enough to crawl under there.

 

Get a bottle of dry graphite (at your FLAPS) and lube the speedo cable with that, you may need to pull the drive cable out of the housing to get graphite to the dry spot.

 

Some of the aftermarket core kits have really tips. They can slip, or wear out.

 

Thanks for the info, I'll change it this week and see what happens, the cable I bought is from Omix/ADA is there a recommended/better cable for these ? Which speedometer mfg' would you recommend if I need to buy a new one.

 

I bought a brand new instrument cluster and cable. Still bounces like the dickens anywhere after 40-50mph range

 

Definitely one possibility. If loosening the nut helps, then grind a little off the end of the core.

 

Note: On speedometer core the upper end has a separate piece that is compressed onto the core. This piece should be left as designed. The lower end has extra length squared so that trimming can be done if necessary.

 

The factory speedometers had a thick grease on the gears to keep them from bouncing.

 

That's great to know!

 

The odometer has gears and yes on factory grease. However the speedometer part uses a speed-cup that requires it to be free of any oil-grease-dirt etc.

 

I no this is going to sound crazy, but I remember reading years ago in a offroad mag about jeep bouncing speedometer.. Their fix was a rubber band around the back of the speedometer, they had a explanation but that was years ago and my memory isn't that good... I have never tried this but thought it may be worth a try.. for some reason I have never forgot about reading that.

 

Must have been an April fools joke..

 

Not really, if you've got the issue where tightening down the nut cause bounce or binding, wrapping a rubber band around the threads allows you to still get it screwed down securely, but not binding. It's not fixing it properly, but adjusting the length of the core, but it will get the job done.

 

I thought my speedometer was busted but when I hooked it up to a drill it worked fine. I pulled the gear out of the transfer and it looked good too. The cable end looked rounded though. When I replace the cable is there a system for sizing it correctly? Advice?

 

The various supplies sell them the correct length. I got an entire cable and casing from Walcks. But you could also pull your cable out and measure the length.