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noisy speedometer, lubed speedo cable, now broken cable again

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paradigm

Greasemonkey
Aug 28, 2024
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The speedometer on my '86 Monte Carlo SS wasn't working when I got it. I replaced the cable, and the speedo started working, however it was very jumpy and noisy. I took the cable out, lubed it with lithium grease and it didn't help much. After a long drive, the speedometer has stopped working. I pulled the cable at he transmission end out and it looks fine. I tried yanking the inside cable out from the jacket but it wont' come loose.

I feel the speedometer is faulty and snapping the cable. Is this a common issue? Anyway to lube the speedometer itself, or should I look to replace the speedometer?

Transmission is a 700R4, and I am using a 61" ATP Y-814 cable.
 
I found that the aftermarket cable cores are too long and will bottom out. I finally found an NOS GM cable and so far so good.

Cable cores are installed from the speedo end, they won't come out the bottom
 
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I've had good luck with the "cut to fit" cable from Pioneer, and have used it on multiple vehicles. It says "for 83 inch to 120 inch length" but I can't remember how long I made them. Cost is $13 @ Auto Zone:

Screenshot_20250423-015447~2.png
 
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Is there a particular length you guys are going with? The car previously had an 80" cable which seemed long. and wasn't working Then I installed a 61" cable which has now stopped working. I am wondering if I should go back with 80"?
 
paradigm said:
Is there a particular length you guys are going with? The car previously had an 80" cable which seemed long. and wasn't working Then I installed a 61" cable which has now stopped working. I am wondering if I should go back with 80"?
Click to expand...
It's been quite awhile since I've used one, though I may be doing it soon- I have two vehicles that need cables but both have cruise.

I pulled a 60"ish one from my c10 that went from trans to cruise and my spare that goes directly to the speedo is around 90". The car can't be much different considering it's traveling the length of the engine/trans and climbing the firewall. I really would just get the Pioneer and cut it to length, which may end up being around 80"-83". Use that to make nice, big loops and avoid any tight turns so the cable lives a life of ease.
 
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Sweet_Johnny said:
It's been quite awhile since I've used one, though I may be doing it soon- I have two vehicles that need cables but both have cruise.

I pulled a 60"ish one from my c10 that went from trans to cruise and my spare that goes directly to the speedo is around 90". The car can't be much different considering it's traveling the length of the engine/trans and climbing the firewall. I really would just get the Pioneer and cut it to length, which may end up being around 80"-83". Use that to make nice, big loops and avoid any tight turns so the cable lives a life of ease.
Click to expand...
That makes sense to go with a larger cable to make larger loops. I bought another 60" Pioneer for replacement but I will return it and get an 80" one to make larger radius bends.
 
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So I pulled out the inside of the speedo cable from the jacket and lubed it with lithium grease and reinstalled it. All the noise is gone and the speedo is working again. It’s smoother at higher speeds and still a little jumpy at lower speeds, and also jumpy during de-acceleration.

The speedo also reads too fast so I’ll have to replace the drive and driven gears on the 700r4 to calibrate it properly.
 
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