Topic: Speedometer Cable replacement

[cobray]

RE: 76 TA

My new exust melted my speedometer cable, RATS!
Has anyone replaced the cable?
Can I get to the back of the speedometer and replace the cable with out tearing apart the dash??

Thanks,
Jeff

[Gold78Spc]

Yes, remove the panel below the steering column and you can see all the way up to the back of the speedometer.  There is a metal clip you press on and it releases the cable.  The really the hardest part is pushing the new cable through the rubber grommet in the floor pan.

PS before you spend all the money getting a cable from on of those expensive aftermarket places wait till you get yours out and measure it.  If its a 61" cable you can get one at autozone for 14$ and since its made by the same company that made them for GM in the 70's its basically an OEM part.  Autozone also has a few other lengths but I think the 61" is the more common one ( cars without cruise control)

[cobray]

Thanks for the info!!!!

[LOMILETA]

Yeah thanks Brian, I have to do mine soon.

[AmFan]

I had to replace the speedo cable on my 78 (no cruise) last year due to the same 'burn through' issue.  The only other tip I would add is to connect it to the trans first, then to the speedo.  For whatever reason, when I did it the other way it would not seat correctly on the trans.  May have just been me, but I fought it for over an hour while connected to the speedo first.

tom

[cobray]

I replaced the cable that I got from Autozone.
Thanks, replaced it with no problem real fast ang easy.

One  problem.  I think the plastic speedometer gear needs to be replaced since the cable siesed up and probaly runed the palstic gear.
Anyone ever replaces a speedomerter gear?  Looks like I just remove one bolt to get to it?
I am afraid the trany fluid may pour out!
Anyone know about replacing this gear?
I am not sure of the color of the gear.  It looks like clear but may have a slight tint of pink/orange.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Hitman]

Yes, it is that one bolt that hold the clip on there.  Once you take it out, you will get a small amount of tranny fluid that will leak, but not enough to worry about it.

[Gold78Spc]

Why do you think you need to change the gear?

[Rick]

I think he's concerned that the plastic speedo gear might have gotten trashed when the cable froze.  The only way to be sure is to pull it and inspect it.

[cobray]

Yea,
The cable melted and no more speedometer.
I replaced the cable and still no speedometer.
It must be the gear.
I will pick up one today.  i will pull it out and see how many teeth are on it.  I am not sure of the color.  It looks like nylon color but I am not sure.

Thnaks,
Jeff

[cobray]

Oh no!!

I replaced the spedometer cable and the gear and still no speedometer.

I pulled the cable off the gauge and drove around.  It is not spinning.

Anyone have any ideas??
The old gear did not look bad at all.  looks like it should of worked.  The old cable was froze and did not spin.  what part should give/break?
Could there be more damage to the trans??
Maybe the cable is shorter than it should be and it is not going in enough?  Are the ends different or should they all be the same?

Thanks,
Jeff

[Daddy Rick]

I realize this is an old thread but I need help. I "rescued" a project '79 TA in pieces. The speedo cable was not connected to the speedo in the dash. I went to plug it in but there's nothing to hold it in place. There's a clip at the bottom of the shaft on the back of the speedo, but the casing "plug" doesn't reach that far down over the shaft. Do I force that clip toward the cable? I tried to without a lot of force. Everything, so far, is old and fragile. I don't want to break it. If the clip should slide forward, I'll take the risk and add some umph. If it's not suppose to move, what do I do? Is there maybe a piece missing?
Having not taken it apart, I'm having to "puzzle" everything back together. I'm enjoying it, for the most part, it's a challenge except the old parts are so breakable......
Please help?
Thanks:
Rick

[Wallington]

The clip retainer fits on the rear of the speedo/gauge cluster. If it's loose then you'll have to refit to gauges. I don't know how hard that would be with it still in dash. The cable simply pushes through it and  sits inside speedo, the retainer clip stops it sliding out, unless you depress it. (Tell the clip it's Momma is ugly)

If clip still on speedo and cable simply appears too short, try spraying something around where it feeds through trans tunnel grommet above gearbox. It may be dried out and stuck, feed it through more.

[Daddy Rick]

THANKS for the quick reply!! The bezel is off as I've had the cluster out of the dash. The cable is short but there's enough slack to work with. The opening/tube on the cable that slides over, once the cable is inserted, is not deep enough to reach the bottom of the speedo where the clip is. It's momma IS ugly!! lol
Maybe I can slide the clip from the bottom of the stem enough to make up the difference? I tried but it seemed "stuck" and I didn't want to force it and break it. Now that you instructed me how it works, I'll get a little stronger with it tomorrow.
Thanks again. Big help.