Speedometer calble.

[Mervin]

It's a long time since I changed a speedometer cable and I realise the answer will be obvious on removal.
However, one end of the inner has a small brass "collar" and the other end nothing.
Which end fits in the gearbox and vice versa?

cable end.jpg (92.77 KiB) Viewed 2041 times

cable end 1.jpg (110.19 KiB) Viewed 2041 times

[taupe]

Collar at speedo end for support there is usually a nylon or fibre washer too

Taupe

[59Elva]

The speedo in my ‘59 pickup wasn’t working. While mucking about with the master cylinder and clutch linkage I discovered that the square hole in the transmission drive pinion was rounded out. I swapped it with the left over from my ‘69 Sprite box which seemed to engage the cable reliably. Only driving will tell.
Should I pull the cable out and lubricate it? What is the best lube?

[Mervin]

I pull the inner out and use engine oil, sparingly. Others might disagree.
I have just received a new cable from ESM and that has been pre-lubricated with grease.

[svenedin]

Grease normally, standard Lithium grease e.g. Castrol LM. Should be used sparingly or it can migrate towards the speedo causing problems at that end.

Stephen

[59Elva]

Thank you gentlemen,
I have everything back together except for the exhaust. The question is do I put the undersized pipe and muffler back on for now and test drive some more or jump into fitting Sprite carbs and exhaust manifold which will require sourcing a new muffler and fabricating pipes. Im leaning towards the easy way out. I want to drive this damn thing before the summer ends.

[59Elva]

I did lubricate the cable with a little lithium grease. The replacement drive pinion activated the odometer and speedo. I only drove a few miles so not sure about the accuracy of the odometer but the speedometer needle swings wildly from 20-60 mph. At some point I will open it up. In the past I’ve found hardened grease on speedometer gears or metal flakes stuck to the magnets.
Im pretty sure I have a spare out in the garage but God only knows where. Maybe I should go to church and ask him where.
Bill B

[59Elva]

The speedo needle wasn’t bouncing so much today. It did however read 60-65 mph while the radar speed limit sign in my neighborhood indicated 23mph. Since I replaced the 4.55 diff with a 3.9 I would have expected it to read the other way around. According to the chart it looks like I need a 1248 speedo from a Mini.

[don58van]

If it is not a cable issue, the bouncing is probably caused by the odometer mechanism being stiff. It could be excessive friction in 1) the lever mechanism that pulls the numbered drums around, 2) the axle for the drums, 3) both.
I agree you need to change to a lower TPM speedo with your 3.9 diff.