I believe that there is a tie down for the speedo cable behind the brake pedal area that can be loosened to provide a little slack for the cluster removal iof you don't want to remove the cable at the trans.

Something else worth doing when you have the cluster out - My high beam indicator was faded and appeared more white than blue, very annoying at night. The $5.00 answer is that the indicator/warning lamps are clear bulbs covered by a 'slide in' printed color plastic film. Buy one at the dealer, and when you change the bulbs, slide out the old strip and push in the new for instant as-new warning light colors. (DEEP blue high beam indicator instead of PIAA white. )

Regards, all

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E