The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk speedometer

The speedometer on my 1948 chev panel never worked. So I found that the cable was broke and replaced it. That one broke also and was told the my speedometer needed bearing but tore it apart and found the it was just tight. So oil and wd15 and now it spins just fine but when I put it all back togeather it reads 10mph and not 0. What did I mess up and how can I fix it. Thanks

Do you mean it reads 10 mph when stopped? If so, just pull the needle off, and stick it back on so it reads zero.

It could also be that your speedometer needle is slightly warped and is rubbing on the glass. If so, replace the needle. Dave

I put the needle on zero but if I spin it from the back it did not seem to go back to zero. I put it back in and took a ride and the speedometer went up just fine but then just stayed at 25mph when I came to a stop. What makes it go back to the start. I am missing something. Thanks

As far as I know (which isn't much) its a little spring that brings the needle back down. The bearing is pretty delicate. You might want to put a TINY amount of thin, quality oil on it, not WD 40.

Other than that, I have no idea.

Yes there is a small spring that must have a little tension on it for the needle to return to zero. Take it back apart and u will see the spring. When put together correctly it will return to zero in your hand before reinstalling. You just put it back together without putting that little tension on the spring first. An easy fix. I am working on mine also but did not get lucky freeing up the part that spins. Mine is also too tight and breaks the cable. There is a little cap with a wick that u oil right above that shaft. I may end up having to buy a new one-ouch! $$

Look under "speedo repair" and there is a very good picture that a kind soul sent me regarding that cap and oil wick. This is the place to oil. Take the cap off, pull the wick out and oil with very light oil.