Speedo bounce

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Locked
User avatar
CJH
Registered user
Posts: 3018
Joined: 15 Jul 2013, 06:51
80-90 Mem No: 12576
Location: Nottingham

Speedo bounce

Post by CJH »

Before I order a new speedo cable, can anyone tell me if a bouncy speedo needle at speeds up to approx 45mph is most likely due to
a) a worn or badly routed cable,
b) a worn drive at the gearbox end
c) a worn speedo
d) none of the above, it's a feature of this model.

Thanks
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"

1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5777
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by Titus A Duxass »

A & D
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

User avatar
CJH
Registered user
Posts: 3018
Joined: 15 Jul 2013, 06:51
80-90 Mem No: 12576
Location: Nottingham

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by CJH »

Titus A Duxass wrote:A & D

Thanks. I'll see if a new cable helps then.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"

1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ

User avatar
tonytech
Registered user
Posts: 1194
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 06:40
80-90 Mem No: 477
Location: Liverpool

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by tonytech »

Speedo drive is from the front nearside wheel hub.
Cable end is square and fits into a square hole secured with a circlip.

T
There are 10 kinds of people. those who understand Binary and those who dont

User avatar
CJH
Registered user
Posts: 3018
Joined: 15 Jul 2013, 06:51
80-90 Mem No: 12576
Location: Nottingham

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by CJH »

tonytech wrote:Speedo drive is from the front nearside wheel hub.
Cable end is square and fits into a square hole secured with a circlip.

T

Ah ok, thanks for that. So option b) should be 'worn drive at the hub end'. Is that a possible cause, or is the cable still the most likely culprit?
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"

1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5777
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by Titus A Duxass »

The square hole can round off with wear and tear.
The cable routing can also lead to bouncing.

When you replace the cable clean everything well and apply a blob of silicon sealant to hold the cable but above all - don't expect miracles.

I've lived with a bouncing needle for 10 years and 60,000 kilometers.
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

User avatar
nevill3
Registered user
Posts: 996
Joined: 26 Nov 2009, 16:59
80-90 Mem No: 8062
Location: UK Lake District, Early 1.6D CS now 4 speed gearbox
Contact:

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by nevill3 »

Someone posted on here that they cured their needle bounce by ensuring the cable was secured tightly on the speedo end, some have inserted a spacer too to make sure there is a tight fit. I removed mine and secured it with a home made clip and improved the bounce considerably
1983 1.6D cs PopTop Camper

Baysbrown Farm Campsite, Lake District

User avatar
Titus A Duxass
Registered user
Posts: 5777
Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
80-90 Mem No: 4475
Location: Cologne

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by Titus A Duxass »

nevill3 wrote:... and improved the bounce considerably

So it bounces better now?
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l

User avatar
CJH
Registered user
Posts: 3018
Joined: 15 Jul 2013, 06:51
80-90 Mem No: 12576
Location: Nottingham

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by CJH »

Titus A Duxass wrote:When you replace the cable clean everything well and apply a blob of silicon sealant to hold the cable but above all - don't expect miracles.

Thanks for the tips. My aim is to reduce the bounce and to get rid of the clicking sound that accompanies it. I was out in the van last night, and the needle goes from having a swing of at least 5mph all the way up to 45mph to being very steady the moment it hits 46mph. So it's either fix the bounce or just stay above 46mph. Or get a louder radio.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"

1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ

User avatar
CJH
Registered user
Posts: 3018
Joined: 15 Jul 2013, 06:51
80-90 Mem No: 12576
Location: Nottingham

Re: Speedo bounce

Post by CJH »

I tried swapping my speedo cable today, but I couldn't get the old one out. I removed the grease cap and the circlip at the front wheel, I removed the instrument cover on the dash and unclipped the speedo cable from the speedometer, and then fed it out through the hole under the dash. No problems so far. But then I tried to pull the cable out from the back of the wheel, and it just wouldn't budge.

Is it just a friction fit through the rubber grommet, or did I miss a step?
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"

1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ

Locked