Speedo Cable change
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,382
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Speedo Cable change
Well my bouncing speedo finally gave up the ghost last week driving down to NC. I had to drive all the way back to Northern Virginia without a speedo. Luckily I know what RPM I at 70 MPH so it wasn't much of a big deal....only when I was making up time 
. When I got home I disconnected the cable from the transmission and the end had twisted off.
My question is can the internal cable be replaced without having to access the back of the speedo?
I see that Ecklers sells a rebuild kit. Does anyone know what this kit contains? The kit is listed at $21 and the entire cable is listed at $29. I'm leaning towards the assembly just in case I need it.
. When I got home I disconnected the cable from the transmission and the end had twisted off. My question is can the internal cable be replaced without having to access the back of the speedo?
I see that Ecklers sells a rebuild kit. Does anyone know what this kit contains? The kit is listed at $21 and the entire cable is listed at $29. I'm leaning towards the assembly just in case I need it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
You can replace the cable with a universal inner cable sold at any parts supplier. I got mine from Autozone for $7. You will need to cut it to fit, so save your old cable for a measurment. The universal cable has a metal end you need to crimp on after it is cut to length. You might consider putting a dab of JB Weld on before crimping. It offers extra staying power.
I assume you do not have a speed control transducer and just have one continuous cable. Remove the cable from the speedo end and lubricate the new one as it goes in. This should be relatively easy repair, but will require a second person to pull the cable sheath back after you push the release behind the speedo. Good luck!
I assume you do not have a speed control transducer and just have one continuous cable. Remove the cable from the speedo end and lubricate the new one as it goes in. This should be relatively easy repair, but will require a second person to pull the cable sheath back after you push the release behind the speedo. Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 2
From: Pullman WA
It can be a pretty tricky spot to reach, but you don't have to remove the dash or anything- so it isn't too bad. I did it last year, with my head down by the pedals and my back on the driver seat, with a shop light I could see where the speedo cable goes from the firewall to the back of the speedo. Took me about 15 minutes of trying different ways to snake my hands around the wires and such, but I was able to do it. I did move the ducts out of the way, but that's no problem.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
As radiojoe says you can do it without removing the dash.I'm not sure if he has a vert but I see you do.Big difference !!! Your vert will have some dash bracing that can really present a challenge.Make sure you dont get the cable under the bracing-it will go but in time it will wear out the speedo and sometimes make the speedo face start pointing up.Make sure the trip odometer cable goes over the bracing also.
If you are going in to do other things then I would suggest you pull the steering column and do everything you need to do like replacing all the bulbs so you never have to go back in.
If you are going in to do other things then I would suggest you pull the steering column and do everything you need to do like replacing all the bulbs so you never have to go back in.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
As suggested, the dash does not need to come out for this repair. The hardest part is visually locating the back of the speedo. It does help if you remove the driver side seat, but not necessary if you are on the slim side. Use a mag light to help find the speedo and the release lever on the back. It is tight back there as you must already know, so you might use a wood pencil or similairly shapped object to depress the release lever. This helps compensate for large hands and enables you to work with vision and not by braille. You will need to lower the cable sheath to install the new inner cable, but once you are at this point it is almost complete.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,382
Likes: 1,067
From: Virginia USA
Thanks everyone. I do have a couple of lamps out and I think I am going to do some work on my headlamp switch and change all the headlamp vacuum hoses so I'll take the dash out. I had it out a few years ago so I know what I am getting into I just wanted to hear that the inner cable could be changed out from the bottom.