Speedometer cable replacement

[Oldschoolcuda]

Hello. Will be replacing the speedo cable in my Barracuda this weekend. How much fluid should be drained out of the trans. before the speedo housing is removed so I can practice spill control.

Thanks

Oldschoolcuda

 

[Longgone]

You shouldn`t have to drain any of your fluid to change just the cable.

 

[res1vw21]

when you change the cable remember to use lots of white lithium grease. thats what it was designed for. your speedo will be nice and smooth

 

[H22A4]

I just put a new speedo gear in mine last weekend. I had the rear of the car on axle stands so when I unscrewed the speedo gear housing, some fluid poured out... probably a couple of quarts. Once the housing was back in and the cable screwed on, I replaced the fluid that drained with fresh stuff.

I don't think much fluid will come out when you just take off the cable nut and then cable. The speedo gear housing will still be in the extension.

 

[Oldschoolcuda]

Thanks for the info. I have to take the housing out to get good access to my cable. Had it out twice but never with fluid in trans.

Oldschoolcuda

 

[dgc333]

You should not need to take the housing out to change the cable, I put a new cable in my 68 Barracuda last weekend. There is plenty of room to get at the nut with either a 1" open wrench or a pair of slip joint pliers. There are seals on the gear shaft as well as the housing that will prevent oil from coming out (may get a drip or two for any that leaked past the seal and collected in the cable).

If you do remove the housing you really don't want the cable connected when you reinstall the housing so you can make sure you have it indexed correctly to engage the gear on the main shaft (it's offset so different size gears can be made to contact the shaft). I rotate the housing and trun the drive shaft until the gear rotates and then lock it down.

 

[Oldschoolcuda]

Dave. Thanks for the tip on slip joint pliers. My trans. crossmember is modified which makes getting at the cable nut with a 1 inch open end or regular pliers impossible. Managed to break it free this afternoon with the nearest I had to slip joint pliers. ( spark plug boot puller )

Oldschoolcuda

 

[Oldschoolcuda]

Wow. Replaced the cable with a Lokar unit this afternoon and finally have a speedometer. Thanks for the tips on removing the cable without the housing.

Oldschoolcuda