12 replies to this topic

[binge]

ive bought a new speedo cable for my mini as mine snaped at 90mph the other day.

My boss has given me some Ramp Time tomorrow at work so I can get the car up and get the speedo cable changed, But where abouts does it join the gearbox. Is it accessable from under the car?

or is there no point me putting it up on the Ramp?

Cheers


<|Ben|>

[dklawson]

The gearbox connection is on the left side of the engine, below the water pump and towards the rear of the block (but obviously on the gearbox... not the engine). There are different methods for removing the lower end depending on the vintage of the car.

Regardless of what will be written shortly by others, since you probably haven't done this before I'd suggest the following. From underneath the car trace the cable down where you see it connect to the gearbox. Take a 7/16" open end wrench and use it to remove the single bolt holding the cable adapter to the gearbox. With that bolt removed you'll be able to pull the cable and the adapter off the gearbox where you can access them easily. (Put a smear of gasket sealant on the adapter when you put it back). This method will still require a short wrench and small hands, but it goes fairly quickly, and prevents you from accidentally cross-threading the cable onto the gearbox.

Others will likely post that it's quick and easy to access if you pull the radiator. I have an early car with a two-piece radiator shroud so this option is not possible for me without major effort.

[binge]

So I can access it from underneath without having to take the radiator out?

I dont mind, but its alot of effort to take out my Rad. The grill is bodged on with like 4266924 Little self tapping screws! And theres an induction kit sticking out of the grille which makes it hard too.

I shall have a gander today. Thanks for the Helpfull Post though dklawson.
Looks like you know what your on about too.


Thanks! :grin:

[ian]

Ben i did that job yesterday and what a pig of a job it is :nugget:
i tried from underneath but was on my back so gave up that way, ended up with the rad out, its not to bad with that out the way. but like dk lawson said undo the bolt and take the adapter out, its a 3/8 bolt just make sure you put a tiny bit of gasket sealer on before you put it back

oh how i wished id put it on before i put the engine in, you live and learn

[Jammy]

I've managed to change one with the radiator and everything in, but I was lucky that I the speedo cable wasn't impossible to undo, I've had one before where not even mole crips and a lot of swearing would undo the cable from the adapter plate! I usually go in from the top, although if your going to try with rad in, it'll be impossible to do with a ultimate engine steady in the way!

[dklawson]

The bolt holding the cable adapter to the gearbox is 1/4-20 and is 7/16" across the flats.

If you don't opt for pulling the radiator... the other choices involve partial disassembly of the front end to get the driveshaft out of the way. That's why I suggested removing the cable adapter (from below) complete.

[Guess-Works.com]

As they say, there's more than one way to skin a cat, and DK's way is probably the least involved and simplest, but I'm not saying it's easy..

If you have skinny enough arms ( I once did ) you can get your arm down the back of the engine and with a bit of a finger grip undo the nut, but if it's covered in **** then there's sod all chance of getting it off...

I have a tap wrench which I have used just to un-bite the thread which has worked a couple of times (50% hit rate so far) but with a bit of modification could provide a workable tool..

If you every have the engine out, remove grease and replace it every time !

Edited by GuessWorks, 16 January 2006 - 01:37 PM.

[Purple Tom]

I find it can help if you wiggle the outer cable shroud whilst undoing the nut, this can relieve any stiction, and its worked for me in the past.

Ben, been as though your engine has only been in for a matter of weeks then it shouldn't be too bad to undo (in theory!), DKLawson's method would be the best way methinks.

[Jammy]

Hmmm, the fact that the engine has only been in a couple of weeks and yet the speedo cable has snapped may suggest something else? I'm not sure? Cross threaded?

[Purple Tom]

mine did the same after fitting the 1275, snapped after about 3 days - fitted a new one and its still going strong...probably pure co-incidence though!

[Guess-Works.com]

Comes under the banner, don't fix what aint broke, but if it's difficult to fix later replace it..

like oil pump...

[dklawson]

If there is a chance the cable was crossthreaded during installation that's even more reason to remove the gearbox adapter piece. Working at the bench you'll be able to use a thread file to clean up the threads. The only adapter plates I've seen are nylon so fixing the threads has to be done with some care but it can be done. If you find you need to clean the threads up, the gearbox end is M19x1. (That's why a thread file will be a more likely tool for cleaning it up than finding a die to chase the threads).

[binge]

Hmmm, the fact that the engine has only been in a couple of weeks and yet the speedo cable has snapped may suggest something else? I'm not sure? Cross threaded?

It was buggered Before it went in for the engine swap.
The Silly F**k**g B*****d At the garage made a mess of the whole car, and after ALL that, he still put the old Bloody Speedo cable back in too.