Noisy Speedometer Cable

[91,93,94 Legacys]

My Speedometer cable in my 94 Legacy Wagon makes loud noises when car is cold and for about 5-10 minutes before everything warms up. Im guessing thats what it is, because the noise is coming from the top left corner of the dash, and the speedometer needle jiggles a bit when its making noise, but returns to a steady position once the noise stops, which is once the car has warmed up properly. Is there anything I can do, to stop the noise, and will it get worse otherwise. I have 215k on the odometer. Thanks for the replies.

 

91 Legacy AWD Sedan Auto. 109k miles (only 25k on engine)

93 Legacy AWD Wagon Auto. 220k miles (only (120k on engine)

94 Legacy AWD Wagon 5-Spd. 214k original miles

[91,93,94 Legacys]

I forgot to mention that the cable only makes noise in the Winter when its real cold. I just noticed it this winter for the first time, because I bought the car in Oct. 03.

[Legacy]

I have the same symptoms. It's a real loud shrieking or squealing when it's below -10 C. Screams like a banshee. It gets more intense with speed, but goes away after 5-10 minutes as everything warms up. Mine is a 91 Legacy.

 

I talked to a few people about whether it can be lubricated but basically it's not worth the effort. Only thing is you have to wait until it gets warm if you want to sell it

[Legacy777]

Depending on the type of cable you have, some are two pieces...while others are one.

 

Mine used to make noises when it got cold. When the base of the speedo that goes into the tranny broke, I pulled the cable out and lubed it. Mine was all one cable....so I lucked out. You can try doing this......as trying to pull it out behind the dash would be a real pain.

[jcniest5]

Mine ('91 Leggy) was making the same noise and now it's completely dead. Gonna need to replace it, but I believe it's a pain to reach behind the dash. Any good recommendation?

[rverdoold]

I had the same problem check:

 

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=71564

 

Its quite simple to fix.

1. Follow the black cable from the firewall to the gearbox/front differential
   
2. Remove the cable from the gearbox and undo the clip on the outer cable
   
3. Pull the inner cable out
   
4. Buy (if you dont have it) graphite powder (and nothing else) and regrease the cable but putting the graphite powder on your hand palm (suggested to wear latex gloves) and pull the cable through the hand when its folded (making a fist).
   
5. Do this couple of times and try not to touch the cable with bare hands.
   
6. Put some graphite powder in the outercable at the gearbox and insert the inner cable again (you can put vaseline or other acid free thick lubricant on the side which goes in the dash)
   
7. Put one drop of sewing machine oil (or whatever is thin and non-aggresive, meaning sulphur free) on the end befor applying the clip/holder again.
   
8. Re-insert in gearbox and very carefully tight the bolt and not too tight

!! do not forget to also put some graphite powder on all steel-to-steel moving parts like the holder and the gearbox bolt!!

 

Enjoy the silent of driving again and wingmirror nois

 

(Note: i have put some pics in the stated thread or in my album about this)