Breaking speedometer cable

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Jul 17, 2013 | 02:45 PM

Kristof

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Joined: Mar 2012

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Breaking speedometer cable

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask you all something.
Me and my father finished my ford f1 and I am now driving it proudly.
But yesterday my speedometer cable broke all of a sudden (2 minutes of irratic behavior and then it died).
Now this is a brand new cable on only drove for 190 miles.
Our opinion is that the cable of the ford f1 has to bend to hard when coming out of the transmission and going under the transmission cover.
So we are opting for a 90 degree piece for the transmission to put the cable on.

So are there plug and play 90 degree extension for the cable to transmission for ford f1 original 3 speed?
Or is my cable breaking so soon a fluke? It was well lubricated.
How long do you're cables last?

Greetings Kristof

Jul 17, 2013 | 04:12 PM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

Likes: 783

From: Simi Valley, CA

Did the entire speedo cable and housing break, or just the woven steel core that's inside the housing?

People are unaware that the woven steel core is supposed to be lubed every so often. If the lube dries out (or wasn't there to begin with), woven steel core binds up inside the housing and snaps.

If it's just the core, go to an autoparts store, buy a 'universal' woven steel core kit. Cut it to length, coat with a fine film of graphite, install in housing.

1948/52 F1/F8 conventional cab (except Parcel Delivery, with 2 speed rear axle & COE) Speedometer Cable & Housing Assy: B7C-17260-A .. 69.20" long / Obsolete

SAME as 1957/60: F100/700 with T-98 4 speed & F250/350 with Ford-O-Matic.

There are six of these cables available NOS / GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati Ohio has ONE and ships "across the pond" via Fed-Ex / greensalescompany.com ~ 513-731-3304.

If typing the Ford part number into their website, REMOVE the hyphens, type like this: B7C17260A

Jul 17, 2013 | 05:34 PM

51PanelMan

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,669

Likes: 13

From: San Jose, CA

I've had the same problem. Lubricate it or go to a local speedometer shop to have a 90 degree elbow made.

Jul 17, 2013 | 05:39 PM

raytasch

Believe Nothing

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 7,512

Likes: 394

From: W. Central FL.

My SWAG is your cable is routed wrong or too short. A properly installed, well lubricated cable should last for many years and many miles. An adapter may be your easiest fix.

Jul 17, 2013 | 08:24 PM

AXracer

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 15,882

Likes: 88

From: Durham NC

I agree with Ray, the cable is either too short or routed with too tight a bend (or the outer sheath is kinked) If using one of the universal replacement cables, follow the directions for measuring the length very carefully, making the cable too long can cause the cable to jam and break, if using the grease that comes with the cable to lube it, only lube the lower 1/2, the design of the cable will pull the lube upwards and you don't want it getting into the speedometer head,

Jul 17, 2013 | 09:35 PM

Kristof

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 27

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Hi All,

Well the cable was lubricated very well with graphite so it would be strange if its gone after 190 miles?
And the cable is a new one from macs and is routed as it should? Nowhere bended extremely but as i sais under the transmission cover it's really tight.

And for the elbow the problem is in my country only "experts" make them and are crazy expensive.

I do have to mension i have to remove my cable, i know its broken but I'll let you know what happend.

Jul 17, 2013 | 09:58 PM

r_reed

Laughing Gas

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,224

Likes: 19

From: scotia. NY 12302

i had a problem with my cable. the speedo would needle would vibrate back and forth wildly then stop, drop to zero. the end of the cable in the tranny would look chewed up. changing the cable made no diff it would happen again. turns out the driven gear in the tranny was doing it, changed that and no problem since.