When you say the speedo cable is free do you mean that you've found the cable end unscrewed from the rear of the cluster or that it appears free because you have 3-4" of slack and the cluster has moved that distance forward?

The speedo cable is attached by a serrated screw collar to the cluster at its center rear. Its unscrewed counter clockwise. Then the round multi-pin connector of the left hand rear side of the cluster needs to be unplugged. With those things disconnected you can get to the other things easily.

You should have already telescoped the steering column out or rearward as much as possible to give you the clearance between the dash's upper overhang and the wheel.

Sorry - should have been more clear. Thanks for asking....

The speedo cable is still attached to the dash cluster - I can't move the cluster forward far enough to get at anything attached to it.

The 'loose' I was referring to is the speedo cable as it runs up from the floor, along the steering column, and up under the dash. The instructions I linked to indicate removing the cable from a clip along the steering column is step one. Got that done. Cable has free play - but I can't get the instrument cluster to pull forward more than ~ 1/2".

Steering column is full rearward - not that the wheel is an issue at this point - not anywhere close to it yet

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1961 220b: first project car - sold.
2000 CLK 430: first modern Benz - sold.
2001 CLK 55: OMG the torque!!! - sold
1972 280SE 4.5: Baby Gustav
1991 300TE 4Matic: Gretel the Snow Bunny - sold
1978 300SD: Katz the Free Man - given away
1980 Redhead: Darling Wife

You have to first make certain that you've pulled the cable as tight as you can where it comes thru the firewall, you need every millimeter of slack you can get, then grasp both sides of the cluster and pull it straight back gaining every millimeter you can. You pull straight back until just before you think the cluster will break!
The cluster is tilted either left or right; I usually tilt the left side forward and disconnect the multi-pin circular plug with a small thin screwdriver used to carefully pry the connector off the pins. Then you can more easily (a relative term) reach your hand behind it to unscrew the speedo cable collar! Yeah it is very difficult to get your hand in there and yes the amount of force you might need to break that collar free will challenge your thumb and forefinger strength! The one caution is with the cluster tilted either left or right be careful that you don’t gouge or create a dent or crease in the dash surrounding the cluster area. The side and back edges of the cluster have some sharp edges and if you lever the cluster over too hard you can screw up the dash’s vinyl covering. I usually drape a terrycloth towel or something like a sweatshirt around the cluster’s back side and edges to avoid that problem.

That is why some people try to remove the left hand vent and then the hose behind it is pushed out of they way so you can reach over to the cluster, I've never been able to get it done that way, some people say they've been able to reach from below I’ve never been able to do that either!

Wait until you have to put things back together and reattach the speedo cable screwing the collar into place then getting your hand out!

There is a metal surround inside the cluster opening that sometimes hangs up the cluster when pulling it out. Just keep pulling on the cluster and it will free up. Happens to me once in a while too..........there are two small metal ears that hang out the bottom left and right side of the cluster and they will get hung up once in a while........not a big issue............

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1989 300E

2005 Acura TL

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Swing hard! Take chances!

On my 87 W124 I could not get the cluster out either , acted much like yours. What I did was make a piece of tin about 2X5 inches and slide it in above the cluster in the center. This allowed the cluster to pull out quite easily. My dash was catching the back of my cluster as has be said already.
No guarantee it will work for you. Good luck!