How the #%*! do you remove the speedo cable?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 24
From: Shoreline WA
Ok guys i will tell you a little secret on how i did it,after you do it ,it will always be easy,but you may not want to do it.All you have to do is in your wiper valley look straight across from valley to tach and speedo,then take something to cut out the fiber glass,i used a dremel,it will be about 3x8 inch rectangle piece cut out,voila,there it is,super easy to get to.Then when you are done just silicone the piece back in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Yes i can,but it will be a little while before i do it because im going on vacation tomorrow.It is really easy though,just look down in your wiper valley bottom,then make a straight line over to your speedo and tach,then cut out a square rectangle shape directly across from your gauges and when you cut the piece out you will expose your speedo and tach cable,its right there where you will undo your cables.It works out great.Then when all your work is done just silicone your square piece back in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
They remove the cable at the transmission and force lubricant through the casing, same goes for the tach cable but that can easily be done without taking it to a shop.
I used to have one for the clutch, throttle and brake cables on my bikes
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Ok guys i will tell you a little secret on how i did it,after you do it ,it will always be easy,but you may not want to do it.All you have to do is in your wiper valley look straight across from valley to tach and speedo,then take something to cut out the fiber glass,i used a dremel,it will be about 3x8 inch rectangle piece cut out,voila,there it is,super easy to get to.Then when you are done just silicone the piece back in.
Not a bad idea... but seeing how our cars leak from the factory I wouldn't want to encourage the water getting inside. Clever idea and sealed properly, probably wouldn't leak.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
A side note,it did work perfect for me I must admit that i dont drive my car if it rains,never.The only time it gets wet is when its washed.
Last edited by Billysvette; Jul 13, 2007 at 12:39 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Interesting pix. Someday I might try to make a "hatch" in that area if it really allows access to the back of the dash. (It's more of a pain on early C3s because of the wiper door mechanism in that area.) I'd make it so you could open and close it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Your hatch would have to be water proof.When you wash the car ,it will go in there.
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Madison Heights MI
I had to pull the speedo cable twice in one week on my father in-law's '77. What a PITA. The first time was to reconnect it, because the dumbass previous owner had disconnected it. 
Not to mention, he had the waaaay wrong speedo drive gear in the trans. it was off by about 4 teeth. 
Then, later in the week, the cable magically undid itself from the retaining clip under the car and laid against the hot exhaust. After the plastic cooled, and I went to drive it to lunch while at work, the cable blew itself up. 
I went to NPD the next day and bought a cable of the approximate length (it was for a camaro technically) and the right drive gear. It works real nice now. But anyway, I feel your pain.
Not to mention, he had the waaaay wrong speedo drive gear in the trans. it was off by about 4 teeth. Then, later in the week, the cable magically undid itself from the retaining clip under the car and laid against the hot exhaust. After the plastic cooled, and I went to drive it to lunch while at work, the cable blew itself up. I went to NPD the next day and bought a cable of the approximate length (it was for a camaro technically) and the right drive gear. It works real nice now. But anyway, I feel your pain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
I want to also point out,my car is a 1969,hopefully GM didnot change anything from the other years,something for you all to check out.Maybe other people can chime in on this,are all the c3s the same .
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
My problem is the reverse
I have a 75 but my problem is the reverse of this issue. I have taken the cable along with the retainer out now I cannot put them back in. I put the retainer in with the smaller side touching the speedo. then press the tab in and slide the cable end flare in and let go of the tab to be release. but then the cable pulls out with s small pull. My clip looks good with no sign of stress the s[eedo cable end flare is also intact. So what am I doing wrong? I have been stuck with this for two days and I am going out of my mind. I have even considered using a cord to tie it to the speedo.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,199
Likes: 7,798
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Installing it is simply pushing it in. You don't need to depress anything, that's to remove it. Don't depress the clip. Just push it straight in. If it doesn't go all the way in. Could be the square end is out of alignment. Try reaching in and turning the fitting on the back side of the speedo or giving the square end of the cable a bit of a twist to get it to align. Then just push straight in. Don't touch the clip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,381
Likes: 416
From: N J
If I remember correctly, on my 68 the cable screws on and off the speedo like it does at the trans.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
I have a 75 but my problem is the reverse of this issue. I have taken the cable along with the retainer out now I cannot put them back in. I put the retainer in with the smaller side touching the speedo. then press the tab in and slide the cable end flare in and let go of the tab to be release. but then the cable pulls out with s small pull. My clip looks good with no sign of stress the s[eedo cable end flare is also intact. So what am I doing wrong? I have been stuck with this for two days and I am going out of my mind. I have even considered using a cord to tie it to the speedo.
