Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Clutch, transmission, rear axle

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rotundapig
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Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by rotundapig »

I've scoured the interweb and racked my brain, but I can't figure this out:

I've got a '70 F100 4x4 with a 4-speed manual and the speedometer cable is stuck in the transmission. I removed the retainer bolt and plate and the end of the cable will pull out about 1/8" and then stop. It will rotate freely but will not come out. I've already tried pulling harder.

what could be holding it up and how can i get it out? I think this is the cable that in there and I just don't see what could be getting stuck.

Image

thanks
Donnie
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by Donnie »

Is your speedo working OK ? Why are you removing it? Have you tried spraying a bit of WD 40 around the 1/8 gap..The -O- ring is the only thing that I can think of??? Maybe a bit of corrosion & a hard ring........Someone else may have a better opinion..Can you pry a slight bit on the lip?
Is your transfer case working OK ? ........welcome aboard.............Donnie :2cents:
rotundapig
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by rotundapig »

Speedo wasn't working before. Cable wasn't spinning once i took gauge out.

it's in there solid. I tried pulling hard, prying, swearing, squirting it with lube, everything I could think of. It's definitely not the o-ring.

Thanks for the input. My next step is to just seal it up and wait unit I can split the case.
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hdpusher
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by hdpusher »

The nylon speedometer gear could have been sripped by the spedometer drive gear (usually made from steel). This would cause the speedometer not to work and would hang up when you tried to remove the cable. If your going to rebuild the trans that would be a easy time to remove it. Otherwise try to turn the cable as you pull on it. They can be a real pain. Also you MAY find nylon shavings in the fluid for a tell tail sign it was stripped.
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rotundapig
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by rotundapig »

I tried spinning it, with no luck. Any other method that doesn't involve opening the transmission?
mmerlinn
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by mmerlinn »

There is no reason why it should not come out with enough force. The question would be how much force without causing other damage.

You don't need to open the transmission. All you need to do is drop the driveline and remove the tail housing to get to it. If you have a removable plastic drive gear (rare in Fords), it may be apple cored and need to be replaced, too. The only way to do that is by removing the tail housing.
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rotundapig
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by rotundapig »

Thanks! I can probably make that happen.
Donnie
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by Donnie »

Does this cable enter the transmission or the transfer case?......Donnie :?
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Re: Speedo cable stuck in transmission

Post by mmerlinn »

Never noticed the 4x4 when I posted above. Same still applies for removing speedo without disassembly.

Depending on which transfer case, it may not be so simple to get to the drive gear. And most transfer cases use plastic drive gears, so there could be an apple core problem.

So, as Donnie asked, where does the speedo go? And which transfer case do you have?
mmerlinn (http://mmerlinn.com/catalog/makeridx.htm)

"People who are careless and sloppy writers are usually also careless and sloppy at thinking. Answering questions for careless and sloppy thinkers is not rewarding." - Eric Steven Raymond
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