speedometer cable core replacement

[IVIuzzy]

well the "new" speedo cable i bought for my 73 220d broke today. before i spend 120 at dealer for a new one can the cores in these be changed? the old core fell right out, has anyone done one of rebuild kits from pep boys or anything before? the directions on the back of the box dont seem too specific.

[sjefke]

Did it break at one of the ends or in the middle? I have repaired ends, even shortened bad cables, but if it snapped in the middle somewhere, you have a problem.

Bert

[IVIuzzy]

it broke at the end by the tranny

[katja]

I believe I have a speedometer cable, new-in-package that I would sell for much much less than your dealer. I bought it for my W115 240D w/ manual transmission, but it'd probably work on the 220 since they're practically identical. I ended up not needing it as I got the old one to hook up fine. I'll check when I get home....send me a private message if you're interested.

[Benz Dr.]

Why did it break? They're fairly strong so I'm kind of surprised it broke so quickly.

[IVIuzzy]

the person i brought it from said it was new, it obviously was not. unless it was from 1975 and sat outside for 30 years, it was rusty. i noticed when i lubed it. i thought id get a few months out of it. as for the manual tranny i dont know i think mines longer. but maybe an inch or so which i can make fit. pm will be sent in a second.

[sjefke]

If you really want to repair a speedo cable, this is my procedure that I used with success in the past.

Given that the internal cable is broken a inch into the outer harness, you will need to shorten the harness. If you have enough slack, you shoudl be able to get the 1 inch shortening. The way to shorten the outer one is to as follows:

1 - separate the inner cable from the outer cable.

2 - study how the end piece where you want to shorten is crimped onto the outer cable. You should be able to use pliers to press opposite the crimp marks to de-crimp it a bit. Additionally, you can also heat up the end (if it is metal) and twist it off like you would undo a nut (metal core is usually wound like a spring - lefty loosy, righty tighty).

3 - Get a good sharp hacksaw and saw off the amount you need the outer to be shortened.

4 - Heat up the end you took off in step 2 and twist it back onto the outer cable (again, turn it like putting on a nut). Get pliers and crimp, but don't squeeze so hard that you will deform the outer cable. You may want to put the inner cable back in before doing this.

To restore an end of the inner cable, do the following.

1 - If you have not done so, take out the inner cable from outer housing.

2 - Degrease broken end completely. Soak it in gasoline, or use whatever it takes but make sure the end is bare metal completely free from grease or oil.

3 - Heat up a soldering iron and apply heat and solder to end of cable. Make sure solder runs in between the coils of the cable. Apply abundantly.

4 - Take a small file, and file square tips onto end. Use your old broken end as example. Carefully file of any excess solder from rest of cable too. Proceed carefully and test the fit with tranmission or speedo frequently until first snug fit has been achieved. Take it slow, because if you file off too much, you have to starrt over. You will have to file more than just the solder because the ends are typically stamped from factory. The solder helps keeping the coils together and also provides a little rigidity when you remove some metal from the coils at the end.

This worked for me on an old (non-MB) tachometer cable (still running after doing this 20 years ago) as well as speedo cable. Nothing beats a new one, but sometimes you can't get the right length anymore, and some purist might argue color too (not us though).

Good luck,

Bert

[Kpmurphy]

I found one for a Standard Transmission
Price: $ 42.85
Brand: Gemo
pm sent

[IVIuzzy]

i took it to my indy, he said he can make a standard one fit by drilling a new hole through the floor to gain the inch of cable space. ill keep u posted with the updates.

[IVIuzzy]

one for manual worked perfectly, didnt need to drill any hole it was only 1.5 inches shorter, if even.