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Cutting Noisy Speedo Cable

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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 07:33 AM
  #1  
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From: JACKSON
Cutting Noisy Speedo Cable

Speedo cable is bad on my truck - had this happen before with a previous yota and the part isnt cheap. Right now the thing is howling like a wild coyote.

I am poor as all heck right now, so I'm wondering can I just cut the damn thing until I have enough money to fix it?

If I can, where is the best place to cut it?

The truck is a 5 speed 22re, 88 4runner.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 08:17 AM
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Donny, you're out of your element
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Why cut it? Why not just unhook it at the sender in the Tcase? That way all you have to do is unscrew it. You don't want to try and cut through those thick cables and sheathing, trust me.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 08:19 AM
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From: JACKSON
Originally Posted by DeathCougar
Why cut it? Why not just unhook it at the sender in the Tcase? That way all you have to do is unscrew it. You don't want to try and cut through those thick cables and sheathing, trust me.
haha I never thought of that good thing I asked

DC, what am I looking for on the transfer case?
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 08:20 AM
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Donny, you're out of your element
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Very back, pass side. You will see where the cable connects
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 08:22 AM
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From: JACKSON
Originally Posted by DeathCougar
Very back, pass side. You will see where the cable connects
Deathcougar, you know everything!
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 08:37 AM
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From: JACKSON
That took approximately three seconds
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 10:43 AM
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its only 20 bucks at napa.
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 10:48 AM
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it was like $5 at the local junkyard LOL!!!

now finding and purchasing an E-brake cable....that's a different animal
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 06:25 PM
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Patch your e-brake cable with u-bolt cable clamps
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Old Dec 7, 2009 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by mcm375
Patch your e-brake cable with u-bolt cable clamps
x2... got 5 stickers so far with the cable clamps....
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 07:29 AM
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Why not just lube the speedo cable and reattatch?
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 08:27 AM
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Originally Posted by AzStorm
Why not just lube the speedo cable and reattatch?
Exactly what I was going to say. Take the speedo cable out of the truck, pull the cable out of the sheath and coat up and down with grease, then slip back in sheath and you're set. I've done it a couple times different toyota trucks.
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 08:51 AM
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My cable is noisy as well and I was wondering if you could shoot some grease down the sheath from behind the cluster? I have a can of white grease i was going to use.
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Old Dec 8, 2009 | 05:56 PM
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THe only lube I've found that works on a speedo cable is "Chain lube" for motorcycles I think. Everything else lasted less than a month/ 1000 miles. Chain lube has lasted 2 years so far, and 15K miles.

THe easiest way to lube the cable is to detach it from the T-case, and unclip it from the body and feed it up so that it comes out from under the hood. Then stand on the tire and fill the sheath with lube allowing a couple minutes for it to drain down the cable.

Last edited by Matt16; Dec 8, 2009 at 05:59 PM.
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Old Dec 9, 2009 | 03:10 AM
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Do you have to get chain lube at a motorcycle shop or is it something i can pickup at walmart/oreilys etc.

thanks
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Old Dec 10, 2009 | 07:14 PM
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I used some Wet Graphite lube from Napa on the speedo cable. I sprayed it into the sheath from behind the cluster and my cable hasn't squeaked since then. When it was making noises it was a lot worse in the winter or when the cable was cold.

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Old Dec 11, 2009 | 03:33 AM
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From: Somerset, KY
thanks! My cable is really bad when its cold. Its louder than the engine and sounds like its going to explode.
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Old Dec 11, 2009 | 07:29 AM
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Graphite didn't last long. Any auto part store carries chain lube.
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Old Dec 11, 2009 | 08:58 AM
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I lubed mine really easily with bicycle chain lube. My wife was putting the oil down the sheath (cluster removed) while I was under the truck with an electric drill hooked to the end of the cable near the t-case. By rotating the cable while lubricating it you'll get 10x the amount of oil/lube into it. I just did that until I got some drops of oil out the bottom. Worked perfectly, speedo stopped bouncing and squeeking. The trickiest part is removing the cluster, but that's not too bad...and it helps to have a helper. I highly recommend the drill technique!
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Old Jan 2, 2010 | 01:09 PM
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Mine hasn't worked for about 2 weeks. Today I have everything pulled apart in my trusty 4... Should the cable just pull out? I have it disconnected at both ends and I've pulled on it but not real hard....

It still spins when i drive around but has a popping noise to it and won't turn the speedometer. Will a universal speedo cable work as well or will that be a pain to do?
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