Yes, cables tend to make the most noise of any of the components, but they're easy to fix/lube/whatever.
In contrast, an old speedo head needs cleaning/lube/calibration but it generally doesn't make a whole lot of warning noise before it self destructs. As automotive repair jobs go, this one is pretty finicky. I almost never farm things out, in favor of simply buying another expensive tool that I may use only once... but this one's easier to let someone else do.
I do wonder, though, how much longer the speedo repair guys will be in business before they all retire. Cable-operated machinery = dinosaur technology.
