My speedo cable is screaming at me

Since the weather here turned to 28 degrees this morning (and even before, to some extent) my speedometer cable (maybe even the speedometer) has made a horrific screaming noise at almost all speeds. I assume it needs lubing. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to lube the thing, with what lubricant, whether or not it needs to be removed completely, or can I merely remove it from the speedometer and somehow lube it from the top connector?

If the cable turns out to be no good, where can I get a new one, and how difficult is it to replace?

Thanks,

Barry

Barry! It's 28 degrees! What are you doing driving the spyder around in 28 degrees? If you made me drive around in 28 degrees, I'd be squealing too!

Mark

Buy some cable lube, disconnect from the speedo end and drip it in the casing.

As for replacing, it is a VW bug part, and it is real easy and real inexpensive. I googled it and found this :

http://www.geocities.com/vwresource/mihov_index

Mike

Incredible website, Mike. Thanks. I will try the lube bit first. If it doesn't work, I'll replace the cable. Thanks again for a great source of information.

Mark, I know it was 28 degrees. The folks back east would think it was nothing, and I just needed to prove I wasn't a wimp. The only problems I had were that my hands and feet got cold. The best gloves and warm boots, however, will be reserved for another topic. My wife is a lot smarter than I; she refused to ride shotgun, preferring to stay home with hot coffee and the morning paper.

While driving the car this afternoon, my wife noticed the inner square tip inside the disconnected speedo cable rotating nicely, with no noise whatsoever, leading me to wonder if the noise problem that occured when the cable was connected might be attributable to the VDO speedometer, rather than the cable. I.e., does a cable under speedo load make noise due to the stress created merely by its being hooked up?

I believe the square on the speedometer end of the shaft is a bit too long, perhaps like 1/8". You might try a search on the other Spyder site...I think there is a thread there on the issue. As I best remember the solution was to grind off the 1/8" carefully with a dremel tool or the like and reassemble.

Jim, you are saying that the square tip that goes into the speedometer may be 1/8" too long, thus causing the noise and wild needle swings? I will try to find the post you mentioned and will check Speedsterowners and Spyderclub.

From Spyderclub forum.....Steve Courtney....

"You may have too tight of a bend in the speedo cable. Additionally you may need to lube the cable. I would rather think that you need to open the radius of the bend under the dash.

You might check the length of the drive at the speedo connection and remove a MM or two.

Disconect the cable at the speedometer and measure the depth of the female part of the connection by sticking a piece of wire into it and then measure the length of the cable drive (Male end). Compare the two and if the male end is the same or slightly greater that the female depth, trim the male drive a mm or so shorter."

Thank you, Jim. I will give it a try.