I have fairly large hands and I was able to reach it and disconnect it.
Definitely easier with a 2nd person wiggling it from under the hood.
I had more trouble reconnecting it.
Removing the speedometer is fairly easy, there just a few screws and some hex bolts that hold it in.
You'll need to disconnect the speedo cable from the transmission so you have enough slack to pull the gauge out far enough to disconnect it.
You could try lubing the cable from the transmission end and not worry about the speedo, but if you use too much it will get into the speedo.
Good luck!!!