[DeTomaso] How to lubricate a new speedometer cable

[Tom Baranek]

Thanks...I wrote the vendor, he says the fully-assembled cable is "pre-lubed"...so nothing is necessary. Others seem to say...drip oil in (as you say) since excess lubricant is rarely a "bad" thing.
Tom
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: JDeRyke at aol.com 
  To: tbaranek at earthlink.net ; detomaso at realbig.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 2:18 PM
  Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] How to lubricate a new speedometer cable


  In a message dated 1/4/12 6:57:35 AM, tbaranek at earthlink.net writes:


    What should I do to the new one, before installation, to ensure longer/quieter/smoother life?


  I assume that the 'cable' is the entire assembly, because only installing a new inner cable into a used cable housing will quickly wear out the new inner- on any car. 
  First, elevate one end of the housing and make a paper funnel that you can tape to the raised end. Then add a little motor oil and let it sit until oil drips from the lower end. This ensures that there is lube thru the full length. 
  Second, do NOT install the new cable with tight tidy bends. Some stock and many home-installed speedo cables use far too tight bends to connect the ZF to the speedo. It's at the bends that the liner wears out, grabs the inner cable and causes jerks and twitches- until it breaks. Use big sweeping bends and tie-wraps to keep the cable from sagging down where it can snag things. Works for me- J Deryke