It's been a while since I did mine but I'm pretty sure you have to work from the transmission end.  Pull the plug doohicky out of the transmission and pull the cable out of the housing.  Swap the driven gear to the new cable and slide it back into the housing.  I seem to remember having to pull the instrument cluster to get the new cable trimmed to the correct length and into the back of the speedometer but if you are lucky you might not have to do that, as long as the new cable is the correct length.

Sal,
I just changed mine after the Bash.  I got the Drake one from CJPP that comes with the housing, and I had to do it from above and below.  The hole in the trans tunnel only allows the speedo head knob to go through it from below.  The trans end of the cable/housing is too large to go through the hole in the tunnel from the top, which is near the gas pedal.  The square end of the cable, that hmartin refers to, was MIA on mine down at the gear end of the cable, so my cable did not spin. 

1) Remove cluster and remove cable & housing from speedo
2) Tie a string to the gauge end of the housing
3) shove the cable/housing, & string through floorboard
4) Remove cable/housing from side of trans
5) Remove clip that holds gear onto the old cable
6) Remove gear from old cable and inspect to make sure square end of new cable will fit in the gear
7) Swap gear & clip onto new cable/housing and install on trans with a little lube to get the o ring in, undamaged
8) Route as necessary to clear the exhaust, and use the string to fish the end of the new cable back through the floorboard.
9) Connect to speedo and reinstall cluster.

Took me about 45 minutes, including the jack & stands routine.... 

Upon close exam of my old cable housing, once removed, it had been too close to the exhaust in a couple spots, and the PO had twisted it all around the trans mount to get it up and out of the way of the exhaust.  Works great now.

If you got lucky, and your problem was only a bad cable behind the speedo (and your gear and housing were fine) you could just swap the cable into your old housing, and do it all from the top.

Last edited by TimC (10/20/2014 8:46 AM)

I prefer to make my own cable from a replacemenr kit (any auto parts) to make sure proper length. Of course depends if your replacing "Cable and Housing". then shortening Auto Parts replacement cable is a mute point.
Howard

Anyone know of a longer cable assy that will fit a little better...I got a t5 and with the tranny mount was a real pain to get it hooked up...had to connect tranny end last.

Might note the four speed requires a longer cable than the auto, three speed or T5 conversion.

On that "tying the string thing", might be worth noting to tie opposite end of string to steering wheel.  With my luck (and according to MustangSteve's LAW), I would pull the cable out from the bottom, including ALL of the string.  Point is to have the string still at the top so you can tie the lower end to the new cable and pull it back in the car.  I have never found it necessary to use the string, but it sounds like a great idea.

The new replacement cables have a really flimsy vinyl coating, unlike the originals which could take some abuse.  Route the cable away from exhaust and do not let it rest on any sharp edges or vibration will let said edge cut through the housing.  Speedo cables are self-lubricating with oil from the transmission, so any cut in the housing will result in an oil leak at that point, even if a couple of feet away from the tranny.

Do not wrench down on the but holding the top of the cable to the speedo.  Finger tight is fine, and you will appreciate it the next time you need to remove the cluster.

Skinny guys from Australia are good to have around when reattaching the cable to the speedo housing.

50vert wrote:

When we convert the speedo to the right hand side, we use a 4 speed cable. Will be too long for you tho.
I only replace the inner cable if it breaks without a lot of noise beforehand. A lot of noise and speed fluctuation usually means the outer will be damaged.
Of course none of this helps you cos I'm sure you can't hear much anyway. 

Har-Har-Har-Har!!!! 
It was the inner cable...outer seems to be OK! Original was a 3 speed so I guess thats what I'll get.
Pep Boys does NOT have a listing for the cable.........guess I'll look around.
6s6