Speedometer Cable Questions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

McRoth · #1 03-11-2003, 09:48 AM

Well, I tried replacing my speedometer cable this weekend. I got the transmition end off & realized that the cable I got from Advance Autoparts had the wrong end!! The new cable had a spade end, like a flat screwdriver & the old one has a small square end, just like goes into the speedometer at the other end. Phil at FastLane thinks they might have sent me an automatic cable, mine's a manual & wants me to measure the cable, but that's difficult while it's still in place! I was hoping someone could tell me for sure what's up with this cable? I want to make sure I get the right one before I pay for shipping to get it to me. The pictures at the parts store both have the spade end, so I'm confused, unless for some reason they used the same cable for both pictures.

Thanks!!

Fisherman · #2 03-11-2003, 11:42 AM

if both ends are of the square type and the sleeve for the cable is still in workable condition then I think you can go to your local auto parts store and they can either make one up or sell you the generic version that you cut to length.

I'm not 100% positive that this is possible as a replacment but if it is it shouldn't cost much at all and would be the easy way to replace it rather than buying the whole cable...

Just thought I would throw this out as an option.

McRoth · #3 03-11-2003, 11:50 AM

Fisherman, Thanks for the suggestion. The only problem is that my cable isn't broken, it just makes an awful vibrating noise sometimes when it is cold out until it warms up enough and I stop the car, then it will be fine. I'm guessing that the interior of the cable shieth is worn out or something like that & has too much room to rattle around. Do you think it could be the gearing in the speedometer itself?? I saw a post about a broken cable that was probably caused by sticking gears.

Fisherman · #4 03-11-2003, 04:52 PM

I just replaced the speedo in my car with one that has sat for at least a year and have a little bounce and grind coming from the new "used" speedo.
Mine is getting better but your noise could be from the speedo and not the cable.
Cheapest fix is the cable though and these kinds of things are often the type of problem that unless you want to send the speedo to a shop for testing ($$) and wait for the answer on it, about all that you can do is kind of start trying things until you find an answer.
Have you tried just lubing the cable in it's sheath to see if it is just the cold weather causing the cable to become noisy due to lack of lubrication?
You've got it halfway out so it would not be that big of a deal to pull it at the speedo side and have a helper assist you in lubing and reinserting it back into the car.
Definately can't hurt!

anthonyb · #5 03-12-2003, 01:14 AM

That's funny. I just replaced my speedo cable a couple weeks ago, and have been going through a couple of interesting trials trying to figure out why my speedo still bounces/makes noise.

If the original cable is one that can be lubed (mine wasn't), I would try putting some grease in it. Also - if you can access the back of the speedometer, it may be worth cleaning it out as best you can, and putting a drop or two of light oil on the bearing in the back. Highly likely that the lubricating grease has dried up and crumbled out, it certainly had on mine after 15 years. You can't really lube it w/out disassembling the unit, but if you can get the oil to soak for awhile (preferably overnight, angled so gravity and capillary action pulls it into the bearing), it should help.

-anthony

Fisherman · #6 03-12-2003, 11:19 AM

Anthonyb,
So your cable could not be removed from the sheath? I wonder is this common to mercedes cables?
I have never tried to pull mine out so I have no idea on my cars...

McRoth · #7 03-24-2003, 11:45 AM

I finally got the right cable from Miller's Mercedes in NC. I switched it out on Sunday & didn't get to test drive it until this morning. First thing after I hit about 10mph it started whinning again!! I guess it's not the cable! I'm going to have to pull the speedo itself & see if I can't do anything with it. Otherwise there's a speedo shop about 45 minutes from me I'll have to take it to. It stopped again after about 10-15 minutes, after I stopped the car & started moving again.