[celchlepp]

Hey all, I did a forum search on this and didn't really find quite what I was looking for.

My question is: Is replacing the speedo cable in my '91 sr5 v6 xcab 4wd truck
the only way to fix the incredibly loud noise problem when I'm running it in the winter? just curious. I've been living with it like this for years, but was wondering if there is any "easy" fix for that. I know anything dash related in my opinion could never be classified as "easy" to work with, but I am looking for some education here from all of you folks who know a lot more than I.

Thanks in advance for any info.
Chuck

 

[qsd-dan]

Some people have luck by removing the cable from the jacket on the transmission side, lubricate it, and reinstall.

 

[celchlepp]

Thanks dan,

is possible wear inside the cable jacket ever something I should be concerned with? I mean, this really great truck is 17 years old with what I would expect the original speedo cable.

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[yota44]

Ya this is my first winter with mine and i noticed a noise the other day when it was 22 degress here. gotta be another option

 

[It's my 1st Truck]

i hae a '90 and tried the lube and reinstall method 2 winters ago, it didnt help a bit.

 

[jakejjs]

i hae a '90 and tried the lube and reinstall method 2 winters ago, it didnt help a bit.

sorry to hijack thread but where are you from?

 

[It's my 1st Truck]

i am from montrose but am planning on moving to pueblo in the fall

 

[qsd-dan]

i hae a '90 and tried the lube and reinstall method 2 winters ago, it didnt help a bit.

That could be the speedometer bearing needing lubrication or replacement. There was a thread several years back on yotatech.com where a person tried replacing the speedo cable which didn't cure the problem, but taking the speedometer head apart and cleaning/lubing the bearing did.

 

[one4eyes]

Most likely would be your speedo cable....common problems on toyota's...I replaced mine on my 91 truck and no more noise...and the procedures are pretty simple and easy...basically...remove the gauge and disconnect the cable from the back...and just follow the cable to the transmission and disconnect it there......

 

[celchlepp]

speedo cable lube pref

okay, thanks to all so far.

what is the preferred lube for this little project? Obviously the longest lasting stuff possible I'd figure would be best. whether that is graphite, petroleum based, or whatever.

I'm all ears on this one.

Thanks again,
Chuck

p.s. honestly though, "...procedures are pretty simple and easy...basically...remove the gauge..." doesn't sound that easy to me. I"ve only taken my dash apart to install a new cd head unit years ago and clearly remember it was no picnic. I do recall having to start from the passenger side as it seemed to me all the panels were screwed into place from left to right = a rather daunting task imho. but I'm here to learn.
unless there is an incredibly simple way to access the cable easier than what I am envisioning.

 

[jakejjs]

i am from montrose but am planning on moving to pueblo in the fall

im in pueblo west let me know, we can hit up pmi

 

[Jayota]

I actually think the dash on our trucks is a peice of cake to take apart. I have had mine totally taken apart in 15 mins easy.

Back on topic..

My cable has more of a static noise to it, I guess lubing it would be cheapest.

 

[Tonyb635]

Speedo Cable Replacement

I hate to dig up old threads but I just couldn't locate clear info on this. I have a 1991 4x4 manual and the speedo cable has been making noise over the past couple years. I removed the cluster last year, well removed screws and pulled the cluster as far out as I could, but it appeared as there were many cables etc holding it from coming out and therefore allowing me to get in behind it. I've had many other clusters out before and it was always straight forward, but this one seems quite different. I want to change the cable so I need to access it.

 

[motorbreath777]

I'm assuming you're at the point where the cluster seems like it's clear and should pull out,but something from behind is preventing it from moving more than a couple inches.

Find where the speedometer cable goes through the firewall inside the engine compartment; in this area and just down the line toward the transmission there should be a couple of bolts and brackets holding the cable in place. Removing these should allow the cable to slide further in to the passenger compartment, and allow you to pull the cluster out enough to disconnect it.

Be advised: the cable wasn't designed to be removed from its sheathing making greasing nearly impossible. I've never tried to clean and grease the speedometer needle bearing as mentioned above, but I have seen cable service/replacement do nothing to fix this concern; the problem was in the cluster not the cable.

Good luck.

 

[Tonyb635]

I'm assuming you're at the point where the cluster seems like it's clear and should pull out,but something from behind is preventing it from moving more than a couple inches.

Find where the speedometer cable goes through the firewall inside the engine compartment; in this area and just down the line toward the transmission there should be a couple of bolts and brackets holding the cable in place. Removing these should allow the cable to slide further in to the passenger compartment, and allow you to pull the cluster out enough to disconnect it.

Be advised: the cable wasn't designed to be removed from its sheathing making greasing nearly impossible. I've never tried to clean and grease the speedometer needle bearing as mentioned above, but I have seen cable service/replacement do nothing to fix this concern; the problem was in the cluster not the cable.

Good luck.

Motorbreath777, thanks for the info. Thats exactly the feeling and to be honest, I never even thought to look on the other side or disconnect the other end of cable first. I will give this a try and see if I am able to get it out. I will replace it with a new one and if that doesn't take care of the noise I'll look at the cluster. I don't drive the truck a lot but I can't stand for something not to work correctly...

 

[redraptor]

I've never tried to clean and grease the speedometer needle bearing as mentioned above, but I have seen cable service/replacement do nothing to fix this concern; the problem was in the cluster not the cable.

Good luck.

I just had this happen on my '89 this morning. 160k and no problems till today. Got 5 miles down the road and this huge WHIRRING came from the dash. Sounded like when 2 plastic gears running together and 1 suddenly stops. Needle jumped around a bit and lasted for the next 10 miles. Got to a stop sign then started and it went AWAY!:dunno:

 

[celchlepp]

speedo CABLE saga on 8x - 94 yoters chrucks.

:welcome:Okay, here's the deal, I own a stock '91 SR5 V6 4wd Extra Cab yada yada truck and used to have a '92 of all the same. Yes, you're darn sure hearing a whirring - it's the cable spinning in the cable jacket. The cable itself is a rather small but very strong (thankfully) steel cable that spins as per your speed. also why it stops when you stop. It's completely acceleration related. Also, mine ONLY ever happened when it was "cold", not 'round 30^F degrees, but much cooler than that for sure. Teens usually. No harm done by it, except for the 99 decibel truck produced tune you have to listen to as you beebop down the road.

To fix it? no fixy. move to where it's warm. or only drive when it's warm out. yeah, I know. realistic please...replacing it will only cost you a crapload of valuable time and test your tolerance for dash disassembly and reassembly, only to have the sound continue under the SAME Conditions again. It's as consistent with these trucks as the steering wah-whink sound when the rod hits the limiter in the wheel wells as the wheels turn as far as sharp possible.

No need to fear, UnderDog is here! so get used to it this winter, try to drive as minimally as possible, and rest well knowing it's a 'yota thing. That'n mine's been doing it since it was new-ish, so again, no worries. :thumbsup:

 

[redraptor]

I believe you but it was by far not the coldest morning this season. Oh well, just my work truck. Don't really drive it much except for my job.

 

[chuck8ball]

Last year I had the same problem on my 89 (noise and jumping speedo needle in cold weather). I disconnected the cable from the back of the cluster and sprayed a little chain and cable lube in it. Then got under the truck and disconnected the cable from the transmission and hooked it up to my cordless drill. I spun the cable with my drill for about a minute then reversed it for about a minute. I repeated this about 10 times (lube then spin) and hooked it back up and everything was back to normal.

 

[Tonyb635]

Well, I just ordered a new cable since mine is rather old. The crazy thing is that the noise started getting REALLY bad almost to a point where you could not even hear the radio. When I got home today I disconnected the cable at the transmission and drove the truck. I expected the noise to be gone, but it wasn't. This is bizarre! The speedo obviously didn't work, but is there a way the cable could still be turning? I can't think one. Is there something else behind the dash that could be causing this noise? The noise start around 35mph and the loudness peaks out 60-70.