Speeddometer

[cscarlson]

How hard is it to pull out the speedometer gauge to replace the speedo cable?

 

[Yoda]

And the Search Feature Reveals..

CS
Take a couple of minutes and read through "These prior Speedometer Cable posts" there is a lot of good information here

BudD

 

[Bob Chadwick]

CS,

I'm not sure about your car but on the earlier cars it was not necessary to pull the speedo. All I had to do was drop my vent ductwork and reach under the dash and unclip it from the speedo. Was it easy, no. A very tight space but it was no where near the PITA that removing that side of the dash was.

Bob

 

[80convertible]

I just pulled my speedo the other day to install a 140mph speedo. As mentioned, remove your duct work under the steering wheel and reach way up under with your hand. You will see or feel a clip that you have to depress while pulling on the cable at the same time. Hurt my back just trying to get on the floor board to reach up under there. Only took me about 2 minutes to get it disconnected. Have fun!!!

Jim

 

[Dave L.]

Jim,I was wondering,would it make it any easier to remove the drivers seat?Then you could lay on your back with your feet back in the stowage compartment.I have taken my seat out many times,it only takes about 5 min.What is your thought?

Dave

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Dave,

I've heard that as well.

Bob

 

[80convertible]

Dave,

If you don't mind the extra work, I say go for it. I don't really feel the need to take the seat out to remove the speedo. I just have to get in the RIGHT position to reach up under the dash. Then again, I'm only 5'9".

Jim

 

[cscarlson]

whats involved in taking out the duckwork and is it hard to do?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Very easy. One piece of ductwork comes across and is held in place by one or two screws. You have to manipulate it to get it out and back in and that's probably the hardest part. That is until you try to get your hand, at least if it is big as mine (I wear a size 13 ring), up to the back of the speedo. I got the ductwork off and the cable disconnected in about 15 minutes.

Bob

 

[cscarlson]

and the ductwork in under the steering wheel?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

That is the only ductwork that has to be removed. It connects on one end to the air distributor in the middle and the ball vent on the other side.

 

[cscarlson]

okay i will remove the ductwork under the steering wheel and try it...

 

[cscarlson]

okay , i did it the hard way.. i took the speedometer out last night and began the cable exchange,, i forgot to tie a string or cord on the cable to make it easier to re-install so that is what i will do tonight and get it installed. is there any re-calibration to the speedometer after it is re-nstalled?

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Shouldn't be, particularly if it was just a cable swap.

Don't you just love taking out the driver's side dash???ad :bang

Bob

 

[cscarlson]

It really wasn't that bad.. i like to do things to the corvette and learn something.. i really would not tackle some stuff if it wasn't for the expert advice and support of the CACC members here and yes you are one that i value your advice.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Mine was a bear with the collar around the column that the pad went under. If you weren't careful you could break the pad. And by being careful, you had to keep the spaces tight.

 

[cscarlson]

being careful , i know what you mean... you could break something or pull wires and then it is a real headache.

 

[cscarlson]

Another thing.... when i took the speedometer out i saw about 6 small light bulbs behind it, of these say 6 bulbs 3 were burn't out.. so if you speedometer is dim when you are out at night you might want to check these bulbs... also can anyone tell me why 2 of the bulbs don't light up when i pull the light switch to on or do i have to have the car running and then actuate the switch to have them all light up...

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I replaced the bulbs as well. I had a more than that behind mine with the additional being the high beam indicator, brake indicator or turn signal indicators. Could they be one of these items?

Also, on the 77 they had a light on the top of the gauge cluster that shines down on the gauges and such. If you have this and go to replace the bulb someone posted here that it is a special bulb that focuses the light emission at the end of the light for greater brightness on the cluster. I didn''t know that and the regular light does not direct enough light.

Bob

 

[cscarlson]

Intersting info.. thanks, it is amazing the information you learn talking to other members here....