Broken Speedometer Cable?

Sep 26, 2013 11 Replies

Any suggestions as to how I might remove a broken inter speedometer cable? It broke just 1.5" from the head end of the cable. The total cable assembly is available but the car is a 1969 classic Mini and the lower cable is a true dog to remove, so I would like to just replace the inter cable, if I could only get the broken one out. I can see the end of the cable but I have nothing that can grip it to remove it, forceps, long nose pliers etc. Any suggestions appreciated. To reply to this message please remove the AT after the kgs1 in the reply to address.



Humor is a rubber sword - 'It allows you to make a point without drawing blood."



- Mary Hirsch


Detach the other end to access the drive cable and push it out far enough to get a grip on it to pull. Hopefully the inside of the casing is not damaged.

Hit a craft type store and visit the bead section. You will find a small tool used to pick up the beads that looks like this.

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Should be able to reach into the casing with it to grab the end of the broken section.

A second option would be to buy or make a gimlet. (Could probably use a long sheet rock screw for the same thing) Just screw the tip into the broken wire and pull.

I'd recommend a hemostat, better gripping power.

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Thank you for all the suggestions. The problem is that the broken end of the cable is about 1.5" deep in the cable and the ID is about .140. The trany end of the cable is very difficult to reach without either removing the cooling system or droping the engine cradle. To reply to this message please remove the AT after the kgs1 in the reply to address.

Humor is a rubber sword - 'It allows you to make a point without drawing blood."

- Mary Hirsch

Right you are; core change from the top is much more accessible as long as the outer casing is not damaged. Double check that.

The drywall screw suggestion was a good one or perhaps something like a dental pick or bicycle spoke with a sharpened catch on the end, twist and lift.

If all goes well, lubricate the new core.

Very strong magnet?

If it isn't stuck in the housing it may be able to move it even from 1.5 inches away or through a piece of steel that can get in there. Usually such magnets have to be scavanged from broken equipment however.

U-shaped nylon thread, fishing line, or flexible wire in a small tube. Kind of like what people use to catch snakes and squirrels.

Damn. A snake-catcher. Just when I thought I had all the tools I'd ever need. Off to ebay.....

;-)

GW

I made a full sized one a few years ago out of a piece of thinwall conduit, 7' long, and 1/8" wire rope. Snakes can go pretty fast though. Had a rattlesnake chase me about 150' down the road. Both of us going as fast as we could run. Squirrels go nuts when caught. They are pretty dangerous, too.

And yet they both make a pretty good stew....

I have one I made a few years ago. A piece of PVC pipe and a rope. I haven't needed to use it yet.

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