How tough is it replacing the speedometer cable (housing) on a longhood?

Sunroof · 09-12-2016, 04:38 AM

Well I bought the speedometer cable with proper fittings for my 1973.5T and have to ask, just how tough is it to replace?. It appears the toughest part would be within the center tunnel, but WHERE ARE the tab or mounting points? Has anyone done this job and can offer some advice regarding where the cable is attached?

Thanks

Bob
1973.5T

ossiblue · 09-12-2016, 06:55 AM

Yes, I have done the job, also on a 73.5T. The tabs are located along the course of the tunnel and I had to use the "feel" method to locate them--reaching in from the front hole in the tunnel and from the rear cover plate. You need to bend them up and away from the cable to allow it to be pulled through. Lots of small cuts from the sharp tabs are to be expected. Someone posted a picture of the tab locations when they separated the floor pan from the tunnel, but I can't locate it at this time.

When I did mine, I don't believe I got the new cable/housing secured by all the tabs, but it didn't seem to matter. I pulled my new cable into the tunnel from the rear so the nut that secures the housing to the speedo often snagged and I had to reach in and move it along--more small cuts. Pulling in from the front could have the same effect as the drive piece is also secured by a nut.

Sunroof · 09-12-2016, 07:23 AM

Thanks Ossi, I figured it would a tough job relative to the cable holding tabs. What is important is from what direction you pulled the cable. Both the tranny and speedo mounting nuts seem the about same size.

Bob

boilersrule · boilersrule's Garage

My speedo also quit.

Mechanic who did major rebuild just prior thinks cable only needs replaced, and the issue is not the internal gears. He formed this opinion about 15 years ago. Is the knowledge of the gears going bad a recent (last decade) thing?

boilersrule · boilersrule's Garage

I forgot to add my second question, how do you decide to replace the cable only and not the housing?

Sunroof · 09-12-2016, 09:53 AM

.......it was apparent that my speedo cable broke. A ten inch length of it came out. Just disconnect the cable behind the speedo, which is easy and pull on the cable itself with a needle nose pliers. If it come out, its broke! Better yet, disconnect the cable and wires to t he speedo, remove the speedo, tie up the cable so you can see it move, take the car out for a spin and observe the cable as it will rotate if still intact. You might add a bit of lube at this point if still intact. No need at this point to replace the gears in the speedo, unless the instrument is going haywire!

Regarding the cable, it can rust and get gunked up within the housing. Be careful, because they sell two different length cables (without the housing). Make sure you have the exact size.

Bob