Speedo Cable Installation Frustrations...

[gprocket]

Search didn't yield what I was looking for so I'll state my case.

I replaced the speedo cable on my GTV and I noticed that at the transmission end there is quite a bit of play with the casing. In other words, with the cable properly fitted and the end cap screwed in all the way, I can pull the case in and out close to a half inch. I thought it odd but could not see anything that was out of place so I convinced myself that this was as designed. I was further convinced of this when I took it out for a test drive and Speedo worked perfectly. That is for the first 3.8 miles. Then it started bouncing and then it stopped all together. I have not crawled under the car but I'm betting that the case is pulled back as far as it will go and that allowed the cable to slip out of its socket. I was oh so careful not to kink or otherwise distort the cable and inspected it for free motion prior to installation.

I have an extra transmission and cable on the shelf and checking that one revealed the same thing - lots of slop. I'll try to post some pictures tomorrow.

Anybody have any ideas?

[BlpltGTV]

Mine has some slop to it as well, however it seems to be great. I've got about 500 miles on mine. The first replacement one I got wouldn't attach to the back of the spedo. I even pulled the spedo out to try and install it that way, no go. I some how ended up breaking the cable at the transmission end with it unattached under the dash. For such a simple task, it can be a giant pain in the neck.

Will

[gprocket]

Ok, here are a couple of pictures of the problem. If you look at the o-ring you can see how much the case is able to move in and out. Maybe that's the way it works but I'm really surprised that there isn't something to hold it. And as I said, the bottom line is that my Speedo no workie...

[harryf]

I wonder if that cable is in the right way round? The O ring is normally only fitted to the Speedo end of the outer to stop the retainer cap sliding back down. Of course that is not necessary at the gearbox end as it really can't fall back down the cable far enough to cause any problems.

One end of the cable has a brass collar and that should be at the Speedo end IIRC but you could still have the cable the right way round but the outer the wrong way if someone assembled it wrongly.

If you do take it out somebody recommended to me coating the cable in grease to lower noise levels and of course improve lubrication.

I did mine last weekend and it went in much tighter, with no slack and completely rigid.

[gprocket]

Harry:

The cable can go in only one way - the knurled knobs are different sizes. With this cable, there are o-rings on both ends.

I fooled with it a little tonight. By disconnecting the cable at the gauge I could watch the cable spin as I drove down the road. It didn't spin. So either the cable is broken (hard to believe as it is new and I was very careful when I installed it), the speedo gear is not engaging (hard to believe as well), or the cable is not really locked into position (seems most likely).

If I were to pull the gear assembly out will I get a face full of oil?

Tomorrow I will raise the tires and get under the car to see if I can see if the gear assembly is moving...

[rcess]

I had the same problem with my '62 Giulietta Spider, and a call to Don Ereminas (Ereminas Imports, 860-485-9800) solved the problem. I was missing a plastic insert that goes into the tranny receptacle. Don mailed one to me, I installed it, and end of problem. Worth a phone call.

[gprocket]

FWIW, I got the Speedo running but I'm not certain what I did (I hate that). I pulled the cable off the transmission and with the wheels off the ground I saw that the speedo end was not rotating. I removed the gear assembly and replaced it with another one. Plugged in the cable and nothing. Pulled the cable out of the case from the gauge side and with someone underneath I carefully inserted the cable back in making sure that it was engaged with the trans. This time it worked and the speedo is smooth and surprisingly accurate (at least tracking with my GPS).

[David Rishar]

I had the same problem on my 74 Spider. Safety wire did the trick. A few turns around the cable, tie a knot, and then a few turns around the boss where the nut screws on.

[giulia_veloce]

Hi guys,

Interesting solutions.
The outter cable locates on the end of the threadded section of the speedo drive from the gearbox.
It doesnt go inside the drive,but sits on the outside.Butts up to it.
When the nut is tightened=job done
The outer cable is firm om the drive,,no movement.
The problem listed is because the outter cable end is going inside the drive.
Thats why its sloppy.
Another thing,if you think the inner cable is too short,and not going inside,,stretch it.
It gets longer and locates further in.
Hope i have explained it ok.
Some pictures to help with.
If I havent explained it properly,Ill try again.

Robert

[gprocket]

Ah - that makes some sense.

My cables (IAP sourced) don't have that flange and hence the slop that I'm showing. I could not imagine that the cable should move 1/2" by design. Maybe I'll make a washer to hold it in position.

[Rich]

Just a thought!

Is there a difference between the speedometer cable and RMP cable? Maybe you have the wrong one can someone post a picture of the two side by side?

Rich

[giulia_veloce]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich Just a thought! Is there a difference between the speedometer cable and RMP cable? Maybe you have the wrong one can someone post a picture of the two side by side? Rich

[boerinbeton]

Hello all
I am not going to make any contribution to this thread. I will however tell you to count your blessings. Have you ever tried to replace the cable of the tacho? Now that is frustrating. Good luck

[giulia_veloce]

Hi Bboerinbeton.

All contributions are welcome.
Replacing a tacho cable is a lot easier if you have the special tool.

Robert

[BlpltGTV]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gprocket Ah - that makes some sense. My cables (IAP sourced) don't have that flange and hence the slop that I'm showing. I could not imagine that the cable should move 1/2" by design. Maybe I'll make a washer to hold it in position.