Speedometer cable shakey below 50MPH
 

On my 88 300TE the speedometer will wobble and shake at anything under 50MPH at which it will stop and act normal over it.

Since I am pulling the transmission to do the front seal in the next couple weeks, I figure this is a good time to resolve this.

Is it time for a new cable or could it be something simpler than this?

Thanks,

I bet your cruise control shakes right along with it.

Shakey speedo
 

My 82 300D did the same thing. I found that if I straightened the cable right behind the speedo and pushed the cable down and through the firewall, the problem went away. I also added a little lubricant at the speedo end inside the cable cover. Has performed to spec ever since.

No actually the CC functions perfectly fine.

I don't want to pull the cluster if possible because it has never been removed and once taken out, it never sits as flush as it did before...I wonder if a firm tightening pull from where the cable routes behind the brake pedal would do the trick?

The FSM says do not lubricate due to failure :confused:

Wanted to bump thread -- installed new speedometer (OE -- Germo) in the correct fashion and all is resolved.

Happy :)

My speedo does the same but only up to 20mph. Is it easy enough to replace with everything installed? I just had my cluster out for the first time but it went back in nice and tight and hasn't made any noticeable sounds.

Well you need to unscrew the cluster and pull it out, but you can leave everything attached, just disconnect the big round multipin cable, then pull out enough to do the cable.
If you feed the new one through from the cluster, you don't need to remove anything else it slides down by itself!

I feel silly. I was thinking you had to replace the whole cable with the housing tube that screws onto the cluster and fits into the transmission since I read it has to do with the lubrication in the tube. Is this not the case then? I hope not as it would be cake!

No, you do. Replace the whole cable.

If I have to replace the whole cable, is it hard to access from underneath going into the tranny? I may try the lube first from the behind the cluster...

Thanks

Nope, super easy. If you are pulling the cluster just do the cable. To disconnect from transmission its a 5min job.

One 10mm (iirc) bolt holds it in, that's it!

Cool! Next time I get a chance I will knock that out!

Thanks!!!