Speedo cable broke. What next?

Busted Knuckles · 12-23-2008, 04:12 AM

My speedo cable broke last week. I found that the small cable off the transmission was the culprit. My local Toyo dealer had a replacement in stock for $16. Yippeee! Now, I'm wondering what to do when I install the new one. I assume the new one is pre-lubed. Is that right? And the long cable to the speedo head is still 20 years old. Should I try to lube it? And how? And any other tips since I'm down there?

My baby is an '88 N/A w/ a 5-speed. Thanks.

suprabahamut · 12-23-2008, 04:28 AM

Mine broke a while back I got the whole cable used on Ebay, but in good condition I just re lubed all the parts where it disassembled. Thanks just what I did. Wait for another persons advice also. One of the supra gurus.

Busted Knuckles · 12-24-2008, 12:32 PM

bump......

Chambers · 12-24-2008, 09:08 PM

When I purchased my car, the speedo cable wasn't working, I ended up replacing both parts of the cable. If the long side is working fine then you can lube it, but you have to take it half out to do so. From what I remember you take the tranny side of it and hang it up above the guage side, then pour some oil into it, and leave it for a while, that way the oil can work its way down, then pour some oil in the guage side as well. It may be the other way round though, you may have to pull the guage side and pour the oil only in that side. I can't remember correctly because the last time I saw the thread on it was about a year ago.

Hope this helps, good luck.

dupra87 · 10-25-2009, 03:58 AM

so where is the cable located on the tranny? once i find it will i see right there is whats broke? sorry just tring to learn all before i do it.

cre · 10-25-2009, 06:01 AM

The speedo connects to the transmission near the center and just above the level of the floorboard. It's the only hose that's connected in such a way that it can be installed and removed with just your fingers... follow it along and you'll find the smaller connector which mates with the long cable.

The cables are pre-lubed so don't add anything. If you want to lube the longer cable that you can add oil, drop by drop, from the top side while someone below rotates the spindle that comes out of the end of the long cable. If you lube the cable a teflon based lubricant or some straight 10 or 20 weight motor oil will do. A very low viscosity (thin like oil) molybdenum grease would be excellet.

When installing the short cable, connect the transmission connector first. It's keyed and will only go on one way. The other connecter is just square in shape so it's easy enough to twist the mating side until they line up and slide together.

EDIT: No, you won't see what's broken. The actual cable is inside a fabric coated, metal sheath.

12-23-2008, 04:12 AM	#1
Busted Knuckles 12psi boost Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 300	Speedo cable broke. What next? My speedo cable broke last week. I found that the small cable off the transmission was the culprit. My local Toyo dealer had a replacement in stock for $16. Yippeee! Now, I'm wondering what to do when I install the new one. I assume the new one is pre-lubed. Is that right? And the long cable to the speedo head is still 20 years old. Should I try to lube it? And how? And any other tips since I'm down there? My baby is an '88 N/A w/ a 5-speed. Thanks.

12-24-2008, 09:08 PM	#4
Chambers walbro fp Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA - Harford County, Maryland Posts: 481	When I purchased my car, the speedo cable wasn't working, I ended up replacing both parts of the cable. If the long side is working fine then you can lube it, but you have to take it half out to do so. From what I remember you take the tranny side of it and hang it up above the guage side, then pour some oil into it, and leave it for a while, that way the oil can work its way down, then pour some oil in the guage side as well. It may be the other way round though, you may have to pull the guage side and pour the oil only in that side. I can't remember correctly because the last time I saw the thread on it was about a year ago. Hope this helps, good luck. __________________ Whats in the garage, well.... in the yard. 1986.5 Toyota Supra - NA - 5 spd 1986 Ford Ranger Lowrider - 5 spd 1984 Ford Ranger XLT - 7" Lift - 4X4 - Auto "Stuck in the 80's"

10-25-2009, 03:58 AM	#5
dupra87 Intake Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: fl Posts: 35	speedo so where is the cable located on the tranny? once i find it will i see right there is whats broke? sorry just tring to learn all before i do it.

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12-23-2008, 04:28 AM	#2
suprabahamut 3" Exhaust Join Date: May 2007 Location: greensboro Posts: 242	Mine broke a while back I got the whole cable used on Ebay, but in good condition I just re lubed all the parts where it disassembled. Thanks just what I did. Wait for another persons advice also. One of the supra gurus.

12-24-2008, 12:32 PM	#3
Busted Knuckles 12psi boost Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Atlanta Posts: 300	bump......

10-25-2009, 06:01 AM	#6
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The speedo connects to the transmission near the center and just above the level of the floorboard. It's the only hose that's connected in such a way that it can be installed and removed with just your fingers... follow it along and you'll find the smaller connector which mates with the long cable. The cables are pre-lubed so don't add anything. If you want to lube the longer cable that you can add oil, drop by drop, from the top side while someone below rotates the spindle that comes out of the end of the long cable. If you lube the cable a teflon based lubricant or some straight 10 or 20 weight motor oil will do. A very low viscosity (thin like oil) molybdenum grease would be excellet. When installing the short cable, connect the transmission connector first. It's keyed and will only go on one way. The other connecter is just square in shape so it's easy enough to twist the mating side until they line up and slide together. EDIT: No, you won't see what's broken. The actual cable is inside a fabric coated, metal sheath.