Speedo cable is stuck in the tranny (yes I took out the 10 mm bolt); when the jacket finally came loose the end of the inner cable had broken off and is still stuck in there nice and tight. A rubber grommet came out with the jacket, which is not included with the new cable, so I assume it is part of the speedo drive mechanism in the tranny tail shaft. I've been trying to pick out the wire strands (of the broken-off cable) with needle-nosed pliers but not having much luck. I'm thinking about trying to drill it out with a dremel tool but I'm a little concerned because I don't really know what's back there & I don't want to mess up something if that could have been avoided by being more careful. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Remove the drive - carefully. Then put the drive in a vice (or something capable of holding the drive securely) and put some liquid wrench into the remains of the cable housing and let it sit for a day. Then see if you can get it out.

__________________
1987 VW Jetta Mk II - Daily Driver
1992 W201 2.3 - sold
1985 W126 380se - sold
1985 W123 OM617.952 - sold
1981 W123 OM617.912 - sold
1986 W201 2.3 - sold
1979 W123 OM 617.912 - sold

any tips on removing the speedo drive (240d 4speed)? Looks like I would need to disconnect the drive shaft and remove the tranny tailhousing - is that right? Sure wish the penetrating oil would do its trick.... removing this speedo cable has become an adventure.

Where the speedo cable goes into the tranny. You can unbolt that section from the tranny. Make sure everything is clean, don't want dirt entering the tranny and remove the 2 or 3 bolts, can't remember, and slide off the speedo cable section. Remove the old cable and before reinstalling the part, spread the clamping section that goes around the new cable. The drive shaft does not have to be removed to do this. And doing it on the 240D is easy, lots of room between the tranny and the transmission tunnel.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car