55 Eldo Conv speedometer not working

[55 Eldo Lynda Lou]

Hello, Wondering if anyone has had any luck repairing the speedometer in a 54, 55, 56 Eldo or similar. looking for best way to repair, replace.
thank you

[Moody]

What's it doing? Jumping, grinding, or just not working at all? First thing to usually check is the cable. Check if it's broken, and make sure it's well lubricanted. From there it could be that the speedo itself is bad, or the cable gear at the transmission has some issue.

[55 Eldo Lynda Lou]

nothing at all, doesn't work.
I'll lift it and get underneath and check the cable first.
car was restored 25 years ago and it has sat for the last 15. I'm sure there are a lot dry, cracked things that need to be replace.
thanks for the direction!

[Lexi]

David's suggestion is usually what they need. Not moving does not sound promising. Assuming the cable is there, that system can suddenly die and show no movement at all. I would check at the dash end first, and pull the cable out to inspect and lube it. While it is out I think you can try to spin the receiver on the back of the cluster by hand to see if you get any movement. Prior to lubing & reloading the cable you can insert and spin it by hand or chuck one end in a hand drill and bump it to see if it begins to climb. Clay/Lexi

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Ok. Went thru this on our 55.
As stated above, 1st thing would be to check the cable connections. Ours had a broken tip at the transmission. While the cable is off the transmission, jack up the rear and have someone turn the wheels. You should see the little fitting turn. That let's you know the gear in the transmission is ok.
Then try to turn the cable by hand. Does it turn easily or is it all gummed up? You can then put the cable in a drill and spin it. I can't remember which direction is forward, but you can tell when your helper is turning the wheels to see if the transmission gear is working. Any life from the speedo?
As for the top, you can get to it with the speedo in place.  I had my son do it. Although I will admit my son is younger and more flexible than I. He also has a little less of a belly-- Not sure how that happened, but I will contemplate it when I have my morning donut.
If you replace the cable, you should spray a can of brake clean in the housing at the top and let it piss out the bottom. You'll be surprised at what comes out of there.
It's possible that when yours was "restored," they used too short of a cable. I just got one of those universal kits from Autozone and cut it to length.
Let us know what you find.

[Bob Kielar]

I agree with all the above. I believe that if you put a drill on the cable you have to run the drill in reverse. I replaced the cable on my 55 but did not solve the problem. I had to remove the dash cluster. I found old hard dried up grease in the mechanism. Cleaned and lubed and has been running good ever since.

Keep Cruzin,
Bob

[55 Eldo Lynda Lou]

Ok. Went thru this on our 55.
As stated above, 1st thing would be to check the cable connections. Ours had a broken tip at the transmission. While the cable is off the transmission, jack up the rear and have someone turn the wheels. You should see the little fitting turn. That let's you know the gear in the transmission is ok.
Then try to turn the cable by hand. Does it turn easily or is it all gummed up? You can then put the cable in a drill and spin it. I can't remember which direction is forward, but you can tell when your helper is turning the wheels to see if the transmission gear is working. Any life from the speedo?
As for the top, you can get to it with the speedo in place.  I had my son do it. Although I will admit my son is younger and more flexible than I. He also has a little less of a belly-- Not sure how that happened, but I will contemplate it when I have my morning donut.
If you replace the cable, you should spray a can of brake clean in the housing at the top and let it piss out the bottom. You'll be surprised at what comes out of there.
It's possible that when yours was "restored," they used too short of a cable. I just got one of those universal kits from Autozone and cut it to length.
Let us know what you find.

I'd be happy to run a dozen donuts to your house. thanks for the suggestions and I'll report in on the progress.

[Lexi]

Ok. Went thru this on our 55.
He also has a little less of a belly-- Not sure how that happened, but I will contemplate it when I have my morning donut...

...It's possible that when yours was "restored," they used too short of a cable. I just got one of those universal kits from Autozone and cut it to length.
Let us know what you find.

Yes, the donut/belly thing. Not sure how that happens either. I was contemplating that yesterday, with no answers. LOL. One of life's mysteries like how do they get the caramel into Cadbury's Caramilk bars.  

Once I used a Universal replacement cable and cut it to length, but did not measure properly. It didn't reach and I still had a dead speedo with no movement. Old, hardened lube in the cluster can also be a culprit as noted by Bob. I suppose a worst case scenario is a sticking gear, which I think there is actually a vinyl one in there, could have broken in the cluster. Clay/Lexi