Question about transmisson leak at speedometer cable
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
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Question about transmisson leak at speedometer cable
Well my 78 has been sitting since late last summer. Several months ago I finally took a look at it and noticed fluid dripping from around the speedometer cable. The cable is was very loose. I put some more fluid in and the trip got worse. Today I decided to take another look at it again. I noticed the bolt to the right so I took that off. I pulled the cable and inspected things. I read on here about the ring but it didn't seem to be in to bad of shape. The bolt had three washers and a piece of metal. I saw the grooves in the cable and figured the metal piece went in that groove. The three washers I was unsure of as this was my dad's car before he passed and he had replaced the speedometer cable himself probably 5 or 6 years ago. I put it all back together and tightened down that bolt...however it would not tighten all the way. Not sure if the bolt was stripped or if the inside is. I filled it with fluid and let it run for a bit. I didn't notice any leaking right away so I took it out for a drive (felt good). When I got back it looked as if a drip was forming on the cable. So is this the only way the cable is tightened down? Does anyone know what size bolt should be in there? I would appreciate any help as I would like to get this fixed once and for all
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 224
From: Beecher Illinois
The 3 washers make it sound like someone lost the original bolt and put in a longer bolt. Do the threads on the bolt look bad. If not, possibly the bolt hole is stripped out. Try it with one less washer. Then 2 less if needed.
The leak is most likely coming from the seal inside the housing that the speedo cable attaches to. Had that leak myself. Take the housing out of the trans housing and you'll see how simple it is, just a seal on a gear shaft. I just stopped by a local transmisson place and asked if they had one I could buy. They just gave it to me. Auto parts guys didn't have one. The O ring on the housing is just a generic O ring, match it up to what is there. I wouldn't even bother with that until I'd see it actually leak, tho.
Mike
The leak is most likely coming from the seal inside the housing that the speedo cable attaches to. Had that leak myself. Take the housing out of the trans housing and you'll see how simple it is, just a seal on a gear shaft. I just stopped by a local transmisson place and asked if they had one I could buy. They just gave it to me. Auto parts guys didn't have one. The O ring on the housing is just a generic O ring, match it up to what is there. I wouldn't even bother with that until I'd see it actually leak, tho.
Mike
,fine thread about 1/2" long. I believe it's a no. 10 metric.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 27
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Thanks for the reply. The bolt itself didn't look that bad...but I didn't inspect it throughly either. I did remove one washer and it just doesn't tighten down till snug. I did get it as tight as I could and the cable did still wobble some. I am going to check it out again today after work...I was very tempted to drive it today but didn't. Thanks again
