Speedometer cable removal?

[Mike F.]

I have a 70 L46/M21 and decided to pull the speedometer & tach cable to clean and lube. Both cables must be removed from the instrument end. Once disconnected the tach cable came out of the sheath with a slight pull using needle nose pliers, but the speedo cable is another story. I grabbed the cable with channel locks and can't get it to pull out from the sheath (the speedo cable is disconnected from the transmission as well). I'm afraid if I pull any harder, something is going to break. Am I missing something here? Any ideas?

TIA,
Mike

[Dan B.]

Re: Speedometer cable removal?

Normally, it should come out but maybe it's a little stuck due to age or a kink in the casing you can't see. Either way, my preference would be to remove the cable and the housing, that way you can inspect and clean the entire length of the housing. Otherwise, you are just putting grease in on top of the 40+ year old stuff ang guessing. If your cables are originals, it's worth doing it right ! Dan

[Terry M.]

Re: Speedometer cable removal?

Some speedo cables are two-part; with a connection above the transmission on the passenger side. I thought the 2-peice was only M40s, but I am still learning about these cars. It might be worth checking before something comes apart in a negative way.

[Mike E.]

Re: Speedometer cable removal?

Any chance a PO put it in from the wrong end? Would it pull out from the tranny end?

[Mike F.]

Re: Speedometer cable removal?

Thanks for the input. Mine is a one piece cable as the manual transmissions should be.

I started spaying penetrating oil in both ends, hooked up a drill motor and pushed/pulled while spinning, it finally broke loose and came out.

Ernst - The cable has a collar swaged on the instrument side (I could see it), so it could only come out one way.

Cleaned, lubed, and back in.

Thanks,

[Mike E.]

Re: Speedometer cable removal?

I knew it had that collar on it. I was simply asking if that was on the tranny end instead of the instrument end. That would be called putting it in backward.