Help removing IP
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 50
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From: Port Washington Wi
Help removing IP
Trying to remove the speedo housing on a 79. I'm following the directions I found on Wilcox, but after removing the bolts on the steering column support, the column doesn't budge. I'm assuming this is supposed to drop down to give access to the speedo cable and electrical connection. What am I missing?
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
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From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Trying to remove the speedo housing on a 79. I'm following the directions I found on Wilcox, but after removing the bolts on the steering column support, the column doesn't budge. I'm assuming this is supposed to drop down to give access to the speedo cable and electrical connection. What am I missing?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 178
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From: Twin Lake MI
It's been a few years but I think if you loosen bolts on fire wall for steering column it will lower a few inches at wheel. you already have support bolts out. then dash components will almost fall out. need to dig into mine one of these days to change wiper switch. Steve
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Wiguy,
The steering column will not drop that much when you remove the lower two bolts. Only when you are to take the cluster out do you push it down. The column is not going to move enough to give you a better advantage to removing the speedo cable or the connector and the only reason for taking the two bolts loose is to allow you a tiny bit move clearance when pulling out the cluster.
You have to reach up from the bottom to get these and they are not easy. You’ll definitely wear out your finger trying to push that clip inward while pulling on the cable with the same hand.
I believe that the instructions also tell you to remove the steering wheel bolts too.
Post again if you don’t get it. I’m heading in for the night but I’ll check this tomorrow.
Willcox Inc.
The steering column will not drop that much when you remove the lower two bolts. Only when you are to take the cluster out do you push it down. The column is not going to move enough to give you a better advantage to removing the speedo cable or the connector and the only reason for taking the two bolts loose is to allow you a tiny bit move clearance when pulling out the cluster.
You have to reach up from the bottom to get these and they are not easy. You’ll definitely wear out your finger trying to push that clip inward while pulling on the cable with the same hand.
I believe that the instructions also tell you to remove the steering wheel bolts too.
Post again if you don’t get it. I’m heading in for the night but I’ll check this tomorrow.
Willcox Inc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Before pulling out the speedometer/tachometer housing, remove
the speedometer cable at the cruise control transducer. If you
don't have cruise, then remove the cable from the transmission.
This makes pulling out the housing much easier, as it is the
speedometer cable that is keeping it in place once the
screws are removed. Once you pull out the housing a few
inches you can reach behind it and remove the wire harness.
Just depress a clip at each end and it pulls out. You can
then easily reach the speedometer cable. Push in on a clip
and it detaches from the speedometer.
I normally take some wide blue painters tape and put it on the
top of the steering column where the speedometer/tachometer
housing will rest. The tape keeps from scratching the paint on
the column.
Don't forget there are two screws that hold the housing on either
side of the steering column.
the speedometer cable at the cruise control transducer. If you
don't have cruise, then remove the cable from the transmission.
This makes pulling out the housing much easier, as it is the
speedometer cable that is keeping it in place once the
screws are removed. Once you pull out the housing a few
inches you can reach behind it and remove the wire harness.
Just depress a clip at each end and it pulls out. You can
then easily reach the speedometer cable. Push in on a clip
and it detaches from the speedometer.
I normally take some wide blue painters tape and put it on the
top of the steering column where the speedometer/tachometer
housing will rest. The tape keeps from scratching the paint on
the column.
Don't forget there are two screws that hold the housing on either
side of the steering column.
