Bad Speedometer Cable

[George Mann]

Well, it looks like my cable broke at the speedometer. I need to know if it is a 1 or 2 piece cable, where to get a new one, plus any fittings it requires.

This is a non cruise control model.

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

Non cruise control is 1 piece.  If you get a cable core kit it should come with the required square drive end you clamp on after cutting to length, and the other end will already be the proper square drive.  According to a previous thread, if you get an 81" replacement core, it will be long enough for the non-cruise model.  ATP and possibly other companies make a speedo cable core make-up kit for under $5 (at least on rockauto.com) that will do the trick.  I ordered one of these kits (the 83" length one they have listed under the Eagle on Rock Auto) and it looks like it has the proper size square drives and should be perfectly compatible.  I never ended up using mine, as the cable in the car turned out to be fine, just the end had been bent by somebody getting a little rough with it during the gauge cluster assembly.

The thread below may help some.
http://forums.amceaglenest.com/index.php?topic=35609.0

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

http://www.amazon.com/ATP-YC-100-Speedometer-Cable-Make/dp/B000C8TBK0

This is the cable core I'm talking about.  Rock Auto's price is better, but the way their online catalogs work, it's not possible to post a direct link.

[George Mann]

It appears as if the part that fits the speedometer coupling is damaged. Do any of these kits contain this part?

Also, is the cable that Rock Auto sells a full assembly, or just the core?

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

Rock Auto has the core kit like I posted above, and they also have the full cable, including the sheathing, for about $15 I think.

I'm not sure which part you're saying is damaged.  Do you mean the plastic square drive end of the core, or the outer part with the nut?

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

Hint:  if you're looking on Rock Auto, the speedometer cables and cable make-up kits are under the "body - interior" tab.  I had a hard time figuring that one out.

Here's the picture of the full cable they show, maybe that will answer your question.  This cable is listed as 81" long.

[George Mann]

Hint:  if you're looking on Rock Auto, the speedometer cables and cable make-up kits are under the "body - interior" tab.  I had a hard time figuring that one out.

Here's the picture of the full cable they show, maybe that will answer your question.  This cable is listed as 81" long.

That's the one, and yes, the square drive piece was obliterated!

[George Mann]

Well, instead of being obliterated, it appears that it is too long (and thin at the end). I surmise that this is the part that has to be trimmed?

[WoodenBirdOfPrey]

On both of my wagons, the ends of the cable on the speedometer side has a plastic end crimped to it, that is the square drive.  Make sure that's not still stuck in the back of the cluster. 

[George Mann]

My problem is, the plastic drive is too long.

[George Mann]

Well, I took the cluster apart to test the fitting. It fit. Then I drove the car. Nothing. So then I pulled the cable out, and found that it was broken!

Thanx for your help guys.