speedometer now reads high after cable change

[melanddoug]

Hi all

My dad has just changed the cable on their Moggy - a 1098 standard 2-door saloon, around 1969 I think. The speedo was fairly accurate before.

After the cable change the speedo reads 30-50% too high. Any thoughts on what may have caused this?
One thread I saw suggested oil may have got into the speedo from the cable and nobbled its accuracy (guess it's dragging the disc around more than it should be?)

anything other thouights ?

Many thanks,

Doug

[bmcecosse]

That can only be the answer....the cable is just a direct drive. Open - inspect- clean carefully. And clean the cable too......

[rayofleamington]

I've had this myself once - but reading 35% low instead. An old & worn speedo is a little intolerant to axial loads from a new cable and it can affect the location of the plate with the spinning magnets
Also one to avoid is getting oil or grease into the speedo from an excessively lubricated cable.

[Tom and Maria]

I've always found that fitting new parts makes my car faster, less shaky and more fuel efficient (especially chromed bits).

Perhaps it was an ex works high performance cable?

Tom

[melanddoug]

lol tom - thanks all, I haven't heard back from dad yet but I suspect the oil thing or worn bearing meaning the discs are closer together.

I think he's going to just live with it for now. He's reading it as KPH instead lol
It it wasthe oil issue, I suippose it might 'get better' after a while as it dissipates

Doug
ps. New parts especially shiny bits always make a car go faster. Everyone knows that. Even a polish will gain several more BHP.

[myoldjalopy]

They are funny things. My speedo needle reads accurately up to about 40mph and then starts to oscillate. By 60mph it oscillates wildly between 40 and 80mph on the dial! Crazy!