Speedometer Gear and dry lubrication?

[ChicagoRob]

Howdy all.

My speedometer stopped working while on the highway. I traced it down to the speedometer gear on the front axle.

I popped it off and found that it was filled with what I thought was graphite powder. Are these things dry lubed or was that just the remains of what used to be gears?

I guess on a related note, what is the proper maintenance for these things?

Rob

[nastyjones]

I just co-incidentally took mine apart last week. I took the wire snap ring off & found it was filled with chunky black crap that must have been grease at one time & it wouldn't turn very freely. I carefully cleaned it out with paint thinner then used a quality hi-temp bearing grease. Much improved now.

[Killer2600]

I doubt it had graphite in it from the factory but other than being metal shavings maybe a PO put graphite in it. My guess is some kind of grease was what they used from the factory.

[ChicagoRob]

Thanks guys, that's kinda what I figured. Grease it is. Mine's pretty trashed but maybe I can save it.