Speedometer cable issues -noise and sticking needle

[91Beater]

So, my car is making quite a loud sound from speedometer cable.

It's 91 4EAT 2WD. Can I replace the core with a universal speedometer cable or should I replace the entire sheath ?

How do I remove it? The transmission side has a 12mm-ish nut as well as some kind of clip retainer. Which one do i undo?


Also, there is a sticky spot near 60mph indicated speed, usually reading too slow. I could accelerate from 60 to 75 and the meter would still be reading around 65 and sometimes it will gradually move up to 75, but not a fast response.

Since meter cable is a positive linkage (meaning that there is no "slippage" as in a torque coverter, I'm not sure how that works out. Does this seem like a worn speedometer symptom?

[Alphius]

The speedometer cable moves the speedometer by spinning a magnetic disk, so there is a potential for the needle to be sticky and influence the reading. It is not a positive connection.

That being said, mine does similar at about the same speed, I haven't specifically fixed that issue yet but I suspect lubricating the shaft and speedo assembly will greatly improve the issue.

[91Beater]

The speedometer cable moves the speedometer by spinning a magnetic disk

Which is inside the dash. I meant that the linkage between the transmission and the dash is positive.

[Alphius]

Then yes, you are correct. The issue has to lie within the dash cluster.

[Legacy777]

Remove the speedo cable from the base piece on the transmission. When you do that you should be able to pull out the inner cable from the sheath. Lubricate the cable as best you can and put it back in the sheath. You may want to try some penetrating oil first if it looks like the grease is caked up. Run the cable with a drill for a little bit, pull the cable out, repeat with penetrating oil until things look better, lubricate with a light grease and put the cable back in.

This may or may not solve the dead spot in the speedo, but should help with the noise. If it doesn't, then you've got an issue with the speedometer mechanism in the gauge cluster and will need to find a new gauge cluster.

[CAV3MAN227]

-This is my cars noise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBso5gY8PEY
-Is this the same noise your getting? I would really like to fix mine cause its annoying on long distance trips.

-Joe

[91Beater]

Josh,
how do I remove it at the tranny end though? Do I undo the big nut or undo the clip?

[Legacy777]

Remove the clip, pull the cable out of the base piece and then just pull the inner part of the cable out.


Joe,

Your noise sounds like something in the gearing/differential. The speedo is pretty distinctive.

[CAV3MAN227]

^ok, thanks Josh. Thats what I thought too. My synchros are getting weak anyways and I would like to dump the 4 11's and go back to a 3.90.

-Joe

[91Beater]

What does the clip do? I got the cable sheath to slip off the fitting, but the fitting itself doesn't come out. The inner cable reeled out off the dash end, but the tranny end is flared and won't come out.

The cable still pull out easily after I put it all back together and the clip doesn't seem to be doing anything like holding in place.

I pulled the inner cable out, wiped it down and found it to be dry. There was some jelly fish like material that was plasticky.

I held the opening of a lithium grease tube into the cable sheath, pushed it in, then put some on rubber gloves and applied all voer the cable.

So far the only problem is getting a positive retention on sheath. It feels like its going to come off on its own anytime.

Noise is fixed and jumpy needle is fixed. The dead spot isn't. I think there is dragging on the speedometer spindle within the dash. I wonder if I could clean and relube that...

[Legacy777]

The clip snaps on a part of the outer cable sheath to lock the cable & sheath into the adapter on the transmission.

Based on what I saw from tearing the speedo apart, I'm not sure you'll be able to "rebuild" it, but you may find some dirt or something in there.

http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... combmeter/

[Legacy777]

Great picture of the clip

http://www.bbs.legacycentral.org/viewto ... 05#p381705

[93Leg-c]

Remove the clip, pull the cable out of the base piece and then just pull the inner part of the cable out.

Hey Josh, I'm trying to get the speedometer cable out of the base piece but it won't come loose. Any suggestions on how to get the cable loose without damaging the cable?

[Alphius]

Did you unclip the clip holding them together?

After that, it might take a little force but a bit of twisting and jiggling should free them up.

[93Leg-c]

Yes, the clip is off the cable. I've used channel lock pliers on the metal piece while wrapping the cable around my hand and pulling with almost all of my might. I didn't want to use pliers on the cable because I think that might ruin it.

[Legacy777]

The cable should easily come out of the base piece. Just to make sure we're talking about the same thing, this is the base piece you're talking about right?

[KFN]

How do you re-attach the cable to the instrument cluster?
I was replacing burned out lights behind the speedo, but can't seem to get the cable to snap in right.
Any help appreciated.
KFN(oob)

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

The cable snaps back in and just pushes onto the gauge cluster. It may be that the cable isn't lined up properly....try rotating the cable slightly to see if that helps with the alignment.

[91Beater]

How do you re-attach the cable to the instrument cluster?
I was replacing burned out lights behind the speedo, but can't seem to get the cable to snap in right.
Any help appreciated.
KFN(oob)

There's a little clip that holds the cable in place on transmission end. Undo that, then pull the cable off. If it's stuck in place, loosen the adapter piece that screws into the transmission, which is a big hex nut.

Once you get that off, pull the cable out to the cluster end so that you have enough room to work with, then push it back in. Put the transmission end back in after you get the gauge in.

Use some silicone lube on the exterior of the speedometer shaft and bushing if you have trouble getting it sliding.