Speedometere Cable Broke any ideas?

DownTown · #1 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 03:01 PM

I have a Tremec 3550 transmission and the a Smith speedometer gauge in the dash. My problem is the coil cable in the sleeve hung up and broke causing the cable to break in the gear and at the back of the gauge. I need to know how to goabout fixing this problem. Do I ask the transmission manufacturer if I have to get the cable and gear from him for the mathcing of the gear ratio or get it from the speedometer maker for the similar reason? I don't know which way to go on this one. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Or if anybody has a spare one hanging around please let me know. The do right boys with lights on their cars are just looking for a reason to road block me and give me a big speeding ticket.
DowntTown

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 03:14 PM

DownTown,

I am a little confused as to exactly what you want. If the cable broke off in the driven gear in the transmission you should be able to take the gear out and go to Ford and get one. Look at the color and make sure you get the same tooth count. As for the cable itself, you can get them at most auto parts stores unless you have something special that is different. As for the cable itself, it has nothing to do with matching the gear ratio. Just get a cable of equal length that will fit into the back of your speedometer.

Ron

DownTown · #3 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 03:18 PM

Ron61
I am new at this. Let me just say that I won this car so making it around it on a mechanical journey is a big step for me. So I might of made the situaion sound a bit more serious than it needed to be. So from what I have read that you wrote it sounds like this could be resoved fairly easily.
Jesse "DownTown" Brown

Mr.Fixit · #4 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 03:24 PM

There is a plastic gear in the transmission, replaces very easy and cheaply. Ratio is color coded. There is a gearbox on the back of a Smith's speedo, cause the needle rotates the wrong way. Between them is the cable, less than $20 to buy a new one. One of these is your problem.

DownTown · #5 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 04:28 PM

Mr.Fixit
I have taken the cable out of the trany and have located it on the floor and have inspected the backof the speedo and removed the the gearbox off of the speedo. Is the plastic gear in the tranny gong to be the hard item to find and can I pick up a cable at a auto motive place and use it?

Ron61 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 04:36 PM

Jesse,

No the plastic gear from the transmission won't be hard to find. Just take the old one to your local Ford dealer. As Fixit said, they are color coded and that tells them the number of teeth on the gear. And you can buy a cable at most auto parts stores. Just get the length you need and they do make a sort of universal cable that will fit most applications.

Ron

DownTown · #7 (**permalink**) 11-26-2003, 04:41 PM

alright i understand now thank you gentlemen very much for the information. I do so greatly appreicate it. Have a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Jesse

DownTown · #8 (**permalink**) 11-29-2003, 02:02 PM

Hey thanks for the help I have a gear on order from the local ford house and a cable that will be in on Monday. I hope you guys had a grt holiday and thanks again for the help.
DownTown

Ron61 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-29-2003, 02:56 PM

Jesse,

Never hesitate to ask a question if you need help as there are people in this club that can answer about anything you would want to know. Unfortunately I am not one of them. But there are others in the club that can answer about any question that you ask. Enjoy the car.

Ron