Question on changing the spedometer cable

 

ok, so my buddy with a 1983GL just had to crawl under the car to attach his spedometer cable. Different story on the 85 GL.......do I take the dash off? I got the front instrument panel cover off. Do I keep going further?? Never done that before. Is it easy?

it's been years since I had to do this but if I remember right you need to pull out the cluster.

Well, theres 2 ends to the cable (duh). One end goes to the top of the tranny and the other is on the back of the cluster.

You need to pull the cluster to get to the cable.

Yes you do need to pull the cluster - but don't fret

 

Removing the instrument panel is EASY once you see how to do it - usually takes me only a couple minutes - just remember that all components involved are 20 years old and plastic - you have screws to remove above the I/P, and behind the defronst/off buttons on the a/c selector (pull buttons off), then a few on the bottom ridge of the plastic surround panel- I may have forgotten a few - but you should be able to find them, the defrost/off ones are the easy ones to miss - but one you get the screws out, it comes off easily - disconnect the electrical connectors to switches behind it (the assembly includes the vent faces and the idiot lights - as well as the e-mirror control, etc) - the connectors only connect one way, and are color-coded - then you will have clear access to remove the 4 screws that hold the I/P in - after that it is just a matter of restringing the cable

 

I had to pull mine to do a cable lube about a year ago - the hard part was screwing the plastic retainer onto the transmission housing

I did my 85 speedo cable a couple months ago when I did a tranny swap. I did not know how to get the cluster out, so I stood pretty much on my head with the drivers seat all the way reclined with my leggs and feet hanging over the back seat. Wore a headlamp. Really couldn't see, but managed to get it installed anyway, mostly by feel. It was a major PIA. I have big hands. Sure wish I'd known how to get the cluster out. Sounds way easier. But I can testify that it can be done without taking anything apart. Next time I'll know better.

 

Pyro

Ive had to do it twice now on 87-88 EA82 cars. I have always just reached my hand up there and dealt with it by feel.. its a little akward, but not the hardest thing I have ever done.