How the #%*! do you remove the speedo cable?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
How the #%*! do you remove the speedo cable?
I have to replace the speedometer cable on my 75 coupe. I tried to get to the back of the speedometer by lowering the steering coulumn and I had half of the dashboard apart and I ccould not get to the back of the speedometer to remove the cable. Can someone PLEASE give me step by step instructions on how to do this job? Thank you.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 21,453
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
...just "push" the retaining "ring" towards the speedo housing with your thumb, cable pulls free.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 12
From: SoCal
If I read your post correctly, it looks like you're saying you can't reach the retaining lock tab.
Trust me, I feel your pain, having been there and done that more than once!
It's a royal PITA, but it can be done - lay face up in the driver's side footwell and snake your arm up in there (you'll have a lot more room if you remove the driver's seat first). To get the cable out, use one hand to grasp and pull on the cable while you use your thumb to push the retaining lock tab away from the cable.
Good Luck!
Trust me, I feel your pain, having been there and done that more than once!
It's a royal PITA, but it can be done - lay face up in the driver's side footwell and snake your arm up in there (you'll have a lot more room if you remove the driver's seat first). To get the cable out, use one hand to grasp and pull on the cable while you use your thumb to push the retaining lock tab away from the cable.
Good Luck!
Last edited by VCuomo; Jun 28, 2007 at 08:59 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
In my 78, I was able to reach around it and feel the thing that needed to be pushed from sitting in the driver's seat and holding the unit. If you end up doing any crawling underneath while looking up, make sure you have on your safety shades to avoid 30 years worth of crumbs falling in your eyes. 
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Cruising
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Same problem here
I am having the same problem. I can find the tab and push it in but the cable still does not release. Do I need to push in just on the tab on the bottom or do I need to do more? I cannot seem to feel any kind of tab on top of the cable but it is very hard to get your fingers up there.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Boise Idaho
Just the one tab on the bottom.
I couldn't fit my hands under there so I used a large screwdriver to push in the tab and a large set of needle nose pliers to pull on the cable. You need to do both at the same time. Keep working at it. SOmetimes it pops of easy, sometimes it needs to be cussed at.
I found the best way to get at the cable is from underneath.
I couldn't fit my hands under there so I used a large screwdriver to push in the tab and a large set of needle nose pliers to pull on the cable. You need to do both at the same time. Keep working at it. SOmetimes it pops of easy, sometimes it needs to be cussed at.
I found the best way to get at the cable is from underneath.
Cruising
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
OK - now new problem
Just the one tab on the bottom.
I couldn't fit my hands under there so I used a large screwdriver to push in the tab and a large set of needle nose pliers to pull on the cable. You need to do both at the same time. Keep working at it. SOmetimes it pops of easy, sometimes it needs to be cussed at.
I found the best way to get at the cable is from underneath.
I couldn't fit my hands under there so I used a large screwdriver to push in the tab and a large set of needle nose pliers to pull on the cable. You need to do both at the same time. Keep working at it. SOmetimes it pops of easy, sometimes it needs to be cussed at.
I found the best way to get at the cable is from underneath.
OK - so I was finally able to get it off. The problem appears to have been a support brace of some sort that is right behind where the cable connects - maybe for the steering column? Has anyone else experienced this? As you can imagine I am now having problems getting the new one on. I hope there is some easy trick to this and I do not have to completely disassemble the dash and/or drop the steering column to get this on. Thanks for the help and quick responses.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
All you have to do is line it up and push, the retaining tab you pushed to release it will snap on the shaft. You might need someone to gently push from the firewall side while you make sure it's lined up from under the dash.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
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From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
Good info here. I tried once when I was replacing my 85 with a 160. After a while I said F### this and took it to my mech.Larry
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Boise Idaho
OK - so I was finally able to get it off. The problem appears to have been a support brace of some sort that is right behind where the cable connects - maybe for the steering column? Has anyone else experienced this? As you can imagine I am now having problems getting the new one on. I hope there is some easy trick to this and I do not have to completely disassemble the dash and/or drop the steering column to get this on. Thanks for the help and quick responses.
I don't recall a brace in the way on my 77, but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. Sometimes getting that square headed wire cable into the square spedo hole can cause difficulties.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: melbourne,Australia
It is usually only the inner cable that breaks...instead of removing the complete cable why don't you try just feeding the inner cable through from the distributor end? hope this helps....john
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
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From: Connecticut
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
I agree. It is much easier to just disconnect it at the transmission side and pull the cable out. However, if the cable broke at the speedo side, which is usually the case... you will to get the small "squared" section out from behind the speedo too...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
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.