Speedometer Cable Help Needed

rzeller · Post by **rzeller** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:00 am

My speedometer cable broke (right at the point where the cable is inserted into the metal end that goes through the dust cover) and I've been trying to find a replacement. Since I don't know what year my cable is from I've been guessing (without success). I have ordered and received cables from 66-72 and 58-65. Both of them don't fit. My cable had a hole in the metal end (in the dust cover) and a cotter pin held it in place. Both replacement cables have a metal end larger than mine (won't fit through the square hole in the dust cover) and requires a clip to hold it in place. Additionally the cable that inserts into the speedometer (on the replacements) are smaller than my original cable. Any ideas what year my cable is from? Any leads on where to get one? I have an older speedometer (without a gas guage). Thanks for the help. Bud

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:33 am

Do you have a link pin or ball joint front suspension? I would order it for the year of the suspension but I don't think there is a difference. Are you buying German parts or the Chinese POS?

rzeller · Post by **rzeller** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:49 am

Jerry, it's a ball joint front end. As for the parts, the bag the cable came in says Italy. Bud

rzeller · Post by **rzeller** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:55 pm

Since it's been quiet on the message board today and just in case anyone is interested I may have gotten some answers to my questions. I talked with a guy at Wulfsburg West (I love that place) and asked him my questions. What I learned is that I had an old speedo cable (with the cotter pin) that isn't made any more. Basically the only difference between the years for the cables (up to 72 I believe) is the length. The guy was perplexed as to why the opening in my dust cover was to small to accommodate the new cables I ordered (he also asked me the origin of the new cables). He suggested that I hook up the cable to the speedo, give it a twist to see if it works, then "shave" the other end down a little to fit the dust cover. Wow, why didn't I think of that? Duh:x I've got a little project for tonight. Bud

fubar · Post by **fubar** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:26 pm

When the cable broke on mine the only thing the parts dude asked was "bus or bug". The only difference seemed to be the legnth. (I have a bus front end) I needed the longer bus version anyway. the new cable snapped imediately because the speedo had siezed, so he gave good advice on the test first part. Another option is to replace the dust cover or use a needle file to make the square hole in the one you have?

Complex One · Post by **Complex One** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 11:35 pm

Why not also just replace the dust cap with a new one that would fit the newer (larger) square spedo cable fitting on the spedo cable. Dust covers aren't that expensive and in the event that you would ever need to replace a cable again it would fit provided the cable goes through the back plate OK in the first place. Just a thought? Spedo Cable: http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... %2D801%2DJ Dust Cap: http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... %2D691%2DB $2.75ea. or http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp ... %2D691%2DE $2.75ea.

rzeller · Post by **rzeller** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 12:13 am

Jim, That's exactly what I'm going to do (replace the dust cover). Unfortunately I found out that I have another part to replace..... speedometer. It's frozen. That's why the cable broke. Grrr. Bud

subimanx · Post by **subimanx** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:38 am

A VW spedo usually has the date stamped on the rear of the unit which will also allow you to identify it..