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Old 03-29-2008, 11:03 AM   #1
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Speedometer cable

The speedometer needle in our 1984 310 is starting to bounce some. Before it gets to bad I'd like to solve the problem. In the old days you used to use graphite to lube the cable with. Is that still the recommended method?

My plan is to undo the cable from the speedometer and the transmission and then pull the inner cable out. I'm guessing I have to pull it from within the cab. Once I have it out I'll clean the cable and rub graphite on it then reinsert it into the tube.

Does this sound like a reasonable plan? My only real concern is when pulling it out its going to be tough not to get grease on everything inside the motorhome . I don't think Susan would like that at all .

Thanks!

Brad
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Old 03-29-2008, 01:30 PM   #2
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I cannot tell you what is the correct thing to do, but I can tell you what I did to the cable in my first Toyota pickup. It started to "bounce" at about 125,000 miles. I took it loose from the speedometer and while keeping that end high and pointing up I added a few drops of 30 wt oil. I did this two or three times a day for several days and then reconnected the cable. This "fix" caused no problems and gave me another 50 to 60 thousand miles before it needed replacement.
There are probably better things to do, but I just did the easiest thing I could think of by using what I had on hand.
If you find the perfect fix (short of replacement) let us all know.
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Old 03-29-2008, 01:50 PM   #3
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Yep, I had to do that too. On mine the sender to the cruise control went bad and was causing some problems as well. Graphite the cable.
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Old 03-29-2008, 04:15 PM   #4
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Graphiting the cable is still the best fix.
Inner cables will have an end that will not slide through the housing, if you luck out, it will be the end outside the passenger compartment, and you can slide it out and reinstall it without a mess inside.
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Old 03-29-2008, 04:35 PM   #5
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Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered that the cable didn't go straight from the speedo to the transmission. Where is the cruise control box located? Unfortunately I'm not in a position where I can walk out and look at the motorhome right now so I'm just trying to picture in my mind how its routed.

Thanks!

Brad
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Old 03-29-2008, 04:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bkahler
Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't considered that the cable didn't go straight from the speedo to the transmission. Where is the cruise control box located? Unfortunately I'm not in a position where I can walk out and look at the motorhome right now so I'm just trying to picture in my mind how its routed.

Thanks!

Brad
Usually the cruise transducer (the old-timey, "technical" name) is located on the left inner fenderwell area. Follow the speedometer cable up from the tailshaft of the transmission, eventually you'll run into it.
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Old 03-29-2008, 05:00 PM   #7
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Many of the speedo cables pull out of the housing from the tranny end. That would keep the mess to a minimum and make lubing it easy.
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Old 03-30-2008, 08:39 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fyrzowt
Many of the speedo cables pull out of the housing from the tranny end. That would keep the mess to a minimum and make lubing it easy.
I hope this is the case. As long as these are it would be like wrestling a slippery snake!

Thanks,

Brad
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Old 03-30-2008, 09:04 AM   #9
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Well, on mine the speed control transducer is mounted on the left side of the transmission and the cable end fits into it. You can tell because two wires run from it. Also, my cable came out of the casing behind the dash. You have to disconnect it from the speedometer and then pull it out. Lots of fun.

Either disconnect the batteries, or take off you watch and rings before you reach behind there. Lots of voltage!
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Old 03-30-2008, 09:14 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooperhawk
Well, on mine the speed control transducer is mounted on the left side of the transmission and the cable end fits into it. You can tell because two wires run from it. Also, my cable came out of the casing behind the dash. You have to disconnect it from the speedometer and then pull it out. Lots of fun.

Either disconnect the batteries, or take off you watch and rings before you reach behind there. Lots of voltage!
Thanks for the reminder on the batteries. I might have remembered about the time sparks started flying, its always nice to not have to go through that however!

I'll check out the speedo cable routing when I get home next week.

Thanks!

Brad
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Old 04-09-2021, 10:17 AM   #11
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Does anyone know the manufacturer and model number of the upper speedometer cable for a 1985 345 (with cruise control) and/or potentially where to get one?

Where it makes sense, I'm trying to keep our 345 original. After getting the original speedometer fixed and attempting to replace its broken cable (broke when the speedo seized), I cut the original cable housing to remove it thinking I had a replacement. Problem is, a standard P30 cable does not fit due to the Dana cruise control signal generator doohickey.

I have a posting about the speedometer repair in Mechanic's Corner. A couple people suggested checking in with the Classic group as well.

Luis
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Old 04-09-2021, 10:20 AM   #12
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. . .
. . . I have a posting about the speedometer repair in Mechanic's Corner. . . .
. . .
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f15...ly-215407.html
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