Speedometer cable

[jwduffey]

The speedomter cable on my 1980 240D is starting to click, but stops after I drive the car for a while. The car has 175K miles and the the local shop I use says I need to replace the cable, but they want $250. After looking at my Haynes manual, I think I can replace it myself. I can easily unscrew the cable from the back of the instrument panel, but I'm just not sure where on the manual transmission to locate the end of the cable. How difficult a job is this? Does anyone have any advise? Also, I checked the price of the cable on FastLane (very inexpensive), but 3 different cables are listed- a 1310mm California, a 1310mm Federal and a 1410mm. I'm not sure which one to use. The car was purchased new in California and the orig window sticker lists Cal. Emissions Control Equipment under optional equipment. Is it safe to assume I need the 1310mm California cable? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!


You can go to the Auto Zone or wherever and get a speedometer cable repair kit for about $5.00. Disconnect the housing, pull out the cable, measure out the new one, cut to length, put on end per instructions with the package. Put some graphite, speedometer cable lubricant, or if you're really in a bind, motor oil, slide it back in place, hook up both ends and you're done.

Actually you only have to pull off one end of the cable if you know which end it will come out from. It will only come out from one direction.

You can do this because the cable has not yet completely failed. But, even after it has completely failed, you can buy a complete cable AND housing from the parts shop on this website for something on the order of about $50 or $60. It is a very simple job to replace.

I would keep a VERY CLOSE WATCH on this shop that wants to charge you $250.

Actually forget what I just said, since you're such a nice guy, I'll do this job for you for only $247.00.

BTW, I reread what you wrote. The transmission connection is on the passenger side rear. There is a 10MM wrench size bolt that you remove, then it will pull out.

Good luck,

[jwduffey]

Thanks DonKey and Larry. I did order the part from Fast Lane last night- only $31! I'm pretty sure I can do the job myself. The shop that wants $250 has done a lot of work for me before on my other Mercedes and I've been satisfied with their work and prices, but I was amazed they wanted so much just to replace a cable. I think I'll start looking for another shop.

jw,

If the shop has proven reliable and honest in the past, there is probably some misunderstanding. I would suggest that once you finish it and know that the problem is indeed the cable, that you have a polite meeting with them and see if there was a misunderstanding such as them thinking that the speedometer needs replacing.

It is difficult to find a good shop that you learn to trust and depend on. There are many out there, but unfortunately the few bad ones give them all a bad name.

Good luck,