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MG TD TF 1500 - Speedometer and tach lubrication interval question

Scanned the WSM and checked archives and I couldn't find anything.

How often should you relube the tach & speedo cables? Every six thousand when you grease the tach indicator gear box?

No issues. Just wondering for preventive maintenance.

Thanks

Frank
TF1414
Frank Cronin

Good question.
I add : what lubricant ?
Oil, grease, WD40 ?

Laurent.
LC Laurent31

White lithium grease, use very sparingly, very sparingly.

If you remove the inner, put it back in the same way or you will wick/drive the grease up into the instruments.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Frank,

Many people recommend white lithium grease to lubricate tach and speedo cables. I have found that it dries out after a while. Some people say that it hardens.

Members on an old Chevy truck forum who I really respect posted these recommendations:

1 )Flush the old lubricant from the cable and sheath. Perhaps with WD-40 then hang to drip.

2) Some recommended graphite-oil lubricant for speedometer cables. Here is link to one that I found on a Google search:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dorman-Help-Graphite-Cable-Lubricant/792020444?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=101002903&adid=22222222227072327569&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=182933647097&wl4=aud-430887228898:pla-287229310476&wl5=9011798&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=136582778&wl11=online&wl12=792020444&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwx7zzBRCcARIsABPRscPPvMP3dAbFhXgFAMr-oku_Ij-34q7BZJcNu2gxt0JcmSIvikNSg60aAuTiEALw_wcB

3) Some recommend a light wipe of chassis grease. A couple recommended John Deere "Corn Head Grease" Thin. Doesn't cavitate. Often used in the recirculating ball steering boxes in old trucks.
https://www.greenpartstore.com/John-Deere-Special-Purpose-Corn-Head-Gun-Grease-AN102562.html

----

Slightly off-topic …

My tach cable was wrapped with electrical black tape on a section under the dash. I removed the tape and found holes in the sheath. Don't know if they wore from within or corroded from the outside. The tape probably added to stop oil dripping on the driver's foot. Photo of holes attached.

PJ had noted that the new metal cable from Moss is much more flexible than his original cable. I found the same. The ends are not knurled brass like the one that I removed. The sheath looks like BX electrical cable.

Lonnie
TF7211





LM Cook

Grease does dry out and harden over several years. It is made from a blend of Lithium soap and lubricating oil. Over time the oil migrates away or volatilises, leaving the hard soap behind. Adding oil and working the materials together can soften the soap and restore the properties.
Dave H
Dave Hill

I appreciate all the replies as to what lubricant to use. I'm currently using RedLine CV2 grease and applied very very sparingly on the cable as recommended from previous posts.... I'll look into the graphite cable grease per Lonnie's post after inspecting my cables to ensure it has not worked it's way up to the instruments. So far I do get a nice smooth operation on both the tach and speedo.

Question was: HOW OFTEN should we be removing the cables, inspecting, RE-LUBRICATING, and possibly cleaning when doing relube if needed. (Which I'd do anyway) I don't see it mentioned in the WSM. By the way, the WSM fails to mention the interval for the lubrication for the pedal box per lubrication chart in the back of the WSM.

Should we be doing this every 1000 miles? 3000 miles? 6000 miles? Or just do it before every riding season?

Frank

TF1414



Frank Cronin

Peter,

I don't believe that it makes any difference which way the cable is inserted into the sheath, or which end of the assemble is attached to the tach drive . The threaded fitting and the square insert are the same on both ends of the cable. The twist of the cable is the same which ever way it is inserted into the sheath.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

For pedal shaft, 2500 km is indicated for my other car, french model but same technology and dated from early 50's also.

laurent.
LC Laurent31

I can't help with the cable issues, but page 45 of the TD Operation Manual, not the WSM, indicates a 500 mile interval for the pedal box.
Joe

Joe Olson

Frank,

I finally found an answer to cable lube intervals the manual for a TA: 10,000 miles with Duckham's H.B.B grease.

The Instruction Manual for the MG Midget (Series "T") Manual from 1936, reprinted in 1937 and 1938.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxisXBEpc-IWVFVSNHNNMko2S1E/view?usp=sharing
10,000 miles with Duckham's H.B.B grease.


May also be in the The Instruction Manual for the MG Midget ("P." and "PB." Series)
https://books.google.com/books?id=dbqBCzy5LysC&pg=PT13&lpg=PT13&dq=duckhams+hbb+grease&source=bl&ots=r87yD3mn6G&sig=ACfU3U2Co4YX8aDsHhSmO7HDX_pRE4ocYQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjlvdWgiaDoAhXDl-AKHb5KD5EQ6AEwAnoECBEQAQ#v=onepage&q=duckhams%20hbb%20grease&f=false

Lonnie
TF7211





LM Cook

Available in large sizes, too.

I think that most people use the "jump" / "squeak" interval for cable lube … when it jumps or squeaks, lube it!!

Lonnie
TF7211

LM Cook

Perfect Lonnie!

Since the WSM didn't say, I guessed the tach indicator gear box and lubing cables maybe were related but this document now confirms this.

WSM states for greasing the tach gear box should be every 6000 miles so I'll do them all at the same time. Sooner if experiencing squeaks or jumping......

I will still inspect to ensure the Redline grease isn't creeping up to the instruments.

Great work Lonnie!

Frank

TF1414
Frank Cronin

Lubriplate was specifically designed for applications like this..to never harden. It is a mil-spec lubricant.
Clean the cable and sheath once in your lifetime and the car will be in a museum or retired from service as gas vehicles are so rare gasoline will no longer be available.

Regards, Tom
tm peterson

This thread was discussed between 15/03/2020 and 25/03/2020

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