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Speedo Cable

TNTriumph

Senior Member
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My speedo waivers up until 50 or 60 mph and then it gets pretty steady. I was looking at a repair guide online and they suggested that the cable is the problem most of the time. They mentioned something about lubing the cable but I was just thinking about buying a new one since they are not that expensive. I just wanted to know if it is hard or easy, and what problems people have with doing it. Also any important info before I do it. Thanks guys
 
easy to lube... I for the life of me can't remember which end you have to un-do to pull out the cable from the core (I really want to say it's the speedo end), but either end is just a finger nut and it's off. pull out the cable, wipe it clean with a rag and some WD-40, then lube it up with some light grease, or gear oil (I'm sure there will be other personal preferences here- go with whatever sound right to you)
But it's definatly worth a try before buying a new cable
 
Just go gentle on the new lube. Don't use very much, or someday you'll get a note tucked in the box from Nisonger with your rebuilt speedo...a note saying that "we found too much grease inside the unit, which likely came from an excessively lubed cable...."

Don't ask me how I know this; on the other hand, it really wasn't my fault. I'd not had that car long enough to have attempted lubricating the (in this case tachometer) cable, so I blame it all on the previous owner! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
If you buy a new cable, the length is different between the O/D and non-O/D transmission. Also, it is a bit messy to lube.
 
I put a new cable on my TR6 with OD. Had to remove the transmission tunnel,consol etc. The speedometer is still not as steady as I thougt it should be. There was a note telling me not to lube the cable before installation.
Let me know what you did and if it helps.

Thanks, Pete
 
I remember years ago some product called something like dry graphite lub. It came in a toothpaste tube like format and you 'poured' it into the cable. Maybe someone with better memory then I can give more details on this.
 
I am pretty sure it is the end that come out of the speedo that you lube but I was reading some where that you have to pull back the lining of the wire to lube it, but if all you have to do is unscrew it and put a little lube on it I think I might do that.
 
Just had to do this job last week. This is what I did.
I removed the end of the cable from the speedo side and then removed the inner cable. Once I had the inner cable out I sprayed white lithium greese into the housing and wiped some on the cable. Installed the cable then removed the collar at the trans. Lightly pulled on the cable to make sure it was extended all the way and sprayed some more lube there. Made sure that the square drive of the cable fully engaged the speedo drive and reinstalled the retaining collar.
Took longer to write about than to do it and it stopped my bouncing needle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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