Tatback Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 ....I will have absolutely no idea. My speedometer cable broke. (I'm assuming) I've been out enjoying the Chrysler to no end and she's been running flawlessly, then the speedometer odometer stopped working. I've searched through all the threads on how to replace the internal cable BUT can't find any link to a universal cable that will fit. I'm trying not to order one from Bernbaum as it'll probably come out to 70 bucks with shipping when I can find tons around 10-15 bucks. Can anyone point me to one that they have used with success? Thank you in advance! Quote
Young Ed Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 Take it to a good auto parts store and see if you can match up the ends and buy the next longest length they have premade. Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 You may be able to find a universal cable at any good parts house and cut it to length. These folks may also be able to help. Call them. Quote
JerseyHarold Posted January 9, 2016 Report Posted January 9, 2016 Does the service manual or parts book have a listing of cable lengths for different models? I thought I saw one once. Quote
55 Fargo Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 You can buy for $10, a universal insert cable, cut to the length you need, and crimp on little end piece. or do what Ed says. Lube and clean the cable sheath, as well as the speedo head..ain't difficult. In the interim use a cheap Garmin GPS for your speedo.. Quote
desoto1939 Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 I have an autolite catalog that has the speedometer housing and cabl einformation but need to know somethings about your car. What model Chrysler and if 6 or 8 cylinder with overdrive these all determine the correct number autolite cable So it could be SPS 1111s, 1111p or 1111u if 6 cy or sps 1111V if 8 cylinder. Get back to me with more specific. Again this is why you need to have the autolite catalogs in you collection of information. rich Hartung desoto1939@AOL.com Quote
Roadkingcoupe Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) I've searched through all the threads on how to replace the internal cable BUT can't find any link to a universal cable that will fit. The 1930's and early 1940's speedo cable had a fitting on one end a tubular profile for the cable and the other end was pressed into a "square" shape. I would be very interested to see how cutting the universal cable would replicate the "square" profile end. Edited January 10, 2016 by Roadkingcoupe Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 The 1930's and early 1940's speedo cable had a fitting on one end a tubular profile for the cable and the other end was pressed into a "square" shape. I would be very interested to see how cutting the universal cable would replicate the "square" profile end. one end is square and the other is a crimp on end that is also square and shouldered and is the actual stop bushed combined.....comes with a special crimping tool for easy install.... Quote
ssnowden Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 Don, how many mph did you get the drill up to? Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 ....I will have absolutely no idea. My speedometer cable broke. (I'm assuming) I've been out enjoying the Chrysler to no end and she's been running flawlessly, then the speedometer odometer stopped working. I've searched through all the threads on how to replace the internal cable BUT can't find any link to a universal cable that will fit. I'm trying not to order one from Bernbaum as it'll probably come out to 70 bucks with shipping when I can find tons around 10-15 bucks. Can anyone point me to one that they have used with success? Thank you in advance! remove your old unit..measure the length..go to Napa or other big box store and get universal....even if you go the universal chain repair process....you may wish to look at the housing close for kinks or tight turns that caused the first one to fail...the inside of the housing could be damaged and lead to early failure of the replacement chain...close inspection either way would be your first order of business... Quote
46Ply Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 Same thing happened to me. I bought a kit very similar to this one. But as it turned out all I used was the end piece and crimped it on the end of my existing cable.... (since it broke at the end). Works great! http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MOTION-PRO-UNIVERSAL-FITTING-SPEEDO-SPEEDOMETER-CABLE-REPAIR-KIT-MOTORCYCLE-/391345243458?hash=item5b1dfe8542:g:fHIAAOSw3ydVrmEi (I have seen kits where you can buy just the end and the crimping tool) 1 Quote
46Ply Posted January 10, 2016 Report Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) If it's just broken off at the speedometer end this is all you need: $2.49 And there is also a wick at the base of the speedometer housing that requires lubrication, which might most likely be the cause of the break in the first place. See the lubrication chart in your manual. http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/MTM0/03374/N2440.oap?ck=Search_speedometer+cable+kit_5219489_-1&keyword=speedometer+cable+kit Edited January 10, 2016 by 46Ply 1 Quote
Tatback Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Posted January 11, 2016 Thank you everyone for your responses, I never realized how universal the cables can be (I've never actually took one apart or really inspected one for that matter) I'll try to take the cable out this weekend and measure it and see what I need. I do remember seeing a slight bend/kink above the exhaust shield so maybe thats where it rubbed and finally snapped. Quote
46Ply Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 First thing I would do is unscrew the cable housing at the head of the speedometer and see if you can pull the cable out and inspect it. Should come right out and then you can see if it's broken off at that end, and also inspect the rest of the cable. Quote
DonaldSmith Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 If you pull the cable out into the interior of the car, be careful. The cable may be coated with grease, graphite, or other nasty stuff for an interior. Keep the cable from touching anything nice. Quote
Tatback Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Posted January 11, 2016 Then that's what I'll do, this weekend I'll get under there. I should be doing it today since the weather is perfect.. Ok it's a little cold out. (65) But thank you for the tip as well... Knowing me... I would of pulled it out in the car and it would of flipped about all over making my interior look like a zebra Quote
dpollo Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 A Plymouth cable is a bit too short for the Chrysler, this is especially true when fitting a cable to the 49 and up, as the dash cluster must be tipped forward for access. Other makes of cars used similar cables and some that are meant for Ford of the same era will work and repos are available. I have never had a great deal of luck with universal repair kits where you cut the inner cable to length then crimp on the upper end. Usually when a cable breaks, there are issues with the outer sheath. Quote
wilmacmike Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 Also be very careful if you pull the cable out inside the interior of your car because the cable is metal and can short out any electrical connections it may flop onto under the dash / gauges.I have seen it happen to a freinds old Ford once. It was not pretty after all of the smoke cleared. Mike Quote
Tatback Posted January 11, 2016 Author Report Posted January 11, 2016 Also be very careful if you pull the cable out inside the interior of your car because the cable is metal and can short out any electrical connections it may flop onto under the dash / gauges.I have seen it happen to a freinds old Ford once. It was not pretty after all of the smoke cleared. Mike No worries about that, I disconnect the battery when I'm not driving it or when I'm working on it. I'm about as graceful as Clark Griswold when working on things so I tend to take as many precautions as I can. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted January 11, 2016 Report Posted January 11, 2016 It's nice that you learned from others experience. I, however, have a watchband shaped burn scar on my left wrist. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 12, 2016 Report Posted January 12, 2016 watches and rings and necklaces are big big no no's in electrical/mechanical field...everyone..please be carefull have seen my share of burns, de-fleshed fingers and also..watch that long hair if so endowed around moving gear trains etc.... Quote
55 Fargo Posted January 12, 2016 Report Posted January 12, 2016 (edited) Then that's what I'll do, this weekend I'll get under there. I should be doing it today since the weather is perfect.. Ok it's a little cold out. (65) But thank you for the tip as well... Knowing me... I would of pulled it out in the car and it would of flipped about all over making my interior look like a zebra Hey Tat Man, 65 is about tropical now in my books, it is close to 20 below tonight, and tomorrow it will be a 40 below windchill before it gradually warms up, a bit.. feel a bit of compassion for your northern brothers.......LOL Edited January 12, 2016 by Fargos-Go-Far Quote
RobertKB Posted January 12, 2016 Report Posted January 12, 2016 watches and rings and necklaces are big big no no's in electrical/mechanical field...everyone..please be carefull have seen my share of burns, de-fleshed fingers and also..watch that long hair if so endowed around moving gear trains etc.... This is very good advice. I don't worry about necklaces or hair as I have neither. However, I always take my watch off when working on a car and I only wear my wedding ring when I go out with my wife on special occasions. Electricity and metal are not good things when connected to your flesh!! Quote
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