I have had a noisy speedometer ever since I bought my 77 Regal almost 2 years ago. Speedometer needle would "bounce" at times, particularly at lower speeds. My Dad had oiled the 2 cables on a 1969 Electra with Cruise Control several years ago, no issues afterwards. He had oiled the cables via the Cruise control and while it was better, it was still bouncing around. well, has gotten worse in the last week, going to a from work. Today, it wouldn't even go above 35 MPH, bouncing from 25 to 35 MPH ...so, Dad and I worked on the cables (the lower one seemed stuck, we were able to free it up, pull it out, oiled it like crazy) and drove around the neighborhood at it was reading even at low speed now, and was dead quite. Quite happy afterwards, went out for a longer drive, was fairly smooth at low speeds, dead smooth at 50 MPH....then...I looked down a few minutes later , and ..nothing, even the odometer was dead now! Earlier in the day while I was at work, Dad called around to the few speedometer shops left and now they want you to remove the unit. One wasn't even sure they could get parts. I wonder since I was hearing noise even driving at speed, was the "head" damaged? Or is this just a broken cable? I fear trying to take apart the Dash (no cracks, but sure seems fragile) If a cable snapped somewhere down the line, a big deal, not a big deal? we actually bought supposed replacement cables a year or so ago, at a certain online autoparts store, and one was clearly way too long. Not sure what to do at this point...
Before you pull the speedometer and send out for repair, check the drive and driven gears a in the trans. Also, it still could be the cable. Oil will only do so much for a worn cable. pull the cable out of the casing and inspect the entire cable, including the ends.
You have cruise, so disconnect the cable going from servo to dash and give it a spin and see if the speedo moves. You do not need to remove the whole dash to get it out either. Pull off the bezel around the gauges, undo a couple screws and it'll be loose. Reach up behind from bottom of dash and undo speedo cable.
Mopar, glad you suggested doing that to the cable to the dash! Wasn't sure if you meant by hand, or what my Dad thought of, using a drill at low speed. Well, needle moved fine. Dad also unplugged the Cruise control, and I drove around the block, and I had a speedometer and Odometer again! we plugged it back in, still had working speedometer/odometer! So, not exactly sure why, but if it keeps working, I will be ecstatic!
There are still some possibilities. The mechanical cruise controls are short lived. Rather than suffer them, I just chuck the cruise and put in a straight through cable. The bearing into the head was brass on my 80, but it was totally worn out at 300,000 miles. My 79s had a red plastic bearing, which no doubt has a far shorter life, your 77 may be the same. One more thing, the back end of the needle sits in a hole in the front of the head input, which is rotating with the cable. If the oil is gone it tends to grab the needle and throw it up, but that doesn't sound like your symptoms. good luck, Bruce Roe
I had issues with a transducer binding on a '75 Electra. One of the cable ends was plastic, and you could see the end had twisted.
well drove downtown today, was bouncing quite a bit (but still deal silent) steadied out with speed. worked great for 20 miles, then looked down, and nothing again :/ kinda stupid question, if I keep the cruise control in place, what is the best bet? replace the cable to the speedometer? or could it be the other one causing issues that goes back to the transmission? Best place to get a cable?
a bit tired today, this cable can be pulled out completely, and replaced without loosening bezel, et al , and replaced?
Unless your bound and determined to keep the cruise, I would get a one piece cable and try it. Here is a pic of the back of the speedo. Depress that clip and the cable comes off. Just reach up from under the dash to reach it.
Mopar, thanks for the info, since clearly you have done this before. I am still confused a bit....I just looked at the shop manual and it sounds just a bit different than what you said, but...they are talking removal of Speedo, not just a cable. No way I can get to cable from the front ? I am old, wear trifocals, and there just doesn't seem to be much room from underneath (plus a/c ducts in the way) Still best to go from underneath? thx
The way the book describes it is if you want to remove the whole speedo. I do not remember if the speedo comes out enough inorder to disconnect the cable (it's been a long time sine I have done it, but am doing it again soon.). My way of reaching up from under the dash, was if you just wanted to quickly pull off the cable.
On many cars, you can pull the whole speedo back (after removing screws) just enough to reach the cable latch. Might have to release the other end of the cable so it can move that way several inches. good luck Bruce Roe
I just did this job yesterday on a 77 regal, and I had to take the speedo cable off of the servo to be able to pull the speedo head out of the dash inorder to un clip the speedo cable. Otherwise it was not going to move more than an inch out of the dash.
I did not do this from underneath ( I also am getting too old to fumble around under dash... lol). First I took off the the little thing that shows what gear you are in. I then pulled off the bezel, undid the screws for both the speedo head and instrument cluster so I would have more room, then I tried to pull the speedo head out but it would barley move, so I then unscrewed the speedo cable from the cruise servo and then I was able to pull the speedo head out of the dash far enough to detach the cable from behind.
Mopar, I am having a few issues....I thought I would need to remove the 4 screws that are screwed in upright under the dash, above the bezel.(the hard plastic piece, not sure the name of it) 3 came out like a champ, the one on the far left (about where the clock is) spins around like it's been a stripped for quite some time...then, re-reading your post, not even sure, do I need to take them out to get to anything? and the Bezel...check out this photo. Seems like the column is slightly off center (guess it could be the faux wood bezel) which I think, I think is binding the bezel, and it will only pull away on the right hand side by the temp control. am I going to have to drop the steering column? Or am I just missing something? thanks!
You do not need to touch those screws. Take off the fake wood bezel and you will see the screws. View attachment 390689 View attachment 390690
Oh ok, cool! You also dropped the column to do this? I'm not sure if I have loosened one before...might have a million years ago. fairly straightforward?
