924Board.org

[924Kid]

And so I return, after several years of not posting, with a question.

I need a new speedometer cable (again, this will be my third). The last two came from performance products. I'm guessing the quality of the one they sell is not so great since I've had to replace it twice now. So could anyone recommend a place where I can get a decent one?!

By the way, it just snapped close to the gauge itself. I think the speedo is ok though. It rotates freely even just with my fingers. I have a newer one, but the electrical connection in back is different from what I have now.


Glad to see this board is still more active than ever. I've been reading through a lot of the postings and catching up. Hope to be posting a little more in the future. Thanks in advance for all your help, your advice is always great!

[dpw928]

Are you bending the cable casing during install? This can cause the cable to wear/bind and break. Also, they should be prelubed but it wouldn't hurt to add lubricant on both ends before the install.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

[924Kid]

I learned my lesson about bending the cable the first time I replaced it. It gets tight right near where the cable attaches to the gauge. The 2nd time I didn't bend it at all because I knew exactly what I was doing and I did lube it a little. The second one has lasted less than 2,000 miles - very disappointing.

[dpw928]

Did you contact the supplier to see if any adjustment/replacement could be arranged? The last one I installed lasted more than 12 years. It was a VW replacement part.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

[D Hook]

Dennis: What do you use as a lube? I've always been told to use powdered graphite to avoid binding the cable.
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[gohim]

I've been driving 924s for close to 30 years, and over 100s of thousands of miles, and never broke a speedo cable.

Either you're pinning the needle while driving the car (how fast are you driving, and what does your speedo read to?), or you're messing up when installing the cables.

[dpw928]

Use graphite if you can remove the inner cable. IIRC the inner cable was locked/sealed in the housing so I used a motorcycle chain lube since the graphite wouldn't flow like an oil based lube.

Dennis
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81 931 5 sp
78 928 5 sp Silver
78 928 AT Euro Black

[D Hook]

The only time I've replaced mine is when the little black box counter that notifies you to change the oxygen sensor snapped its' connection off. Removed the box and put in a one piece cable. Before I installed it, I shot some graphite in one end (speedo end) and let it work its' way down the cable. No trouble after that.

There's something wrong if you keep snapping cables. When you took them out, did you happen to pull the inner cable out and take a look at where it broke? Did you notice any bouncing of the needle when the car was moving? That usually indicates a binding somewhere.
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[Grenadiers]

I'm in need of a spare upper cable myself. Looking at PET, and Autoatlanta PET, I get part number 477 957 807, not finding it anyware. Anyway, I boogered up Spike's cable when I initially installed the speedo. I forgot to twist the gauge to clear the metal housing stuff behind it. Took the cable from the black car and it works perfectly, no speedo needle bounce.

Can you take the long cable from, say, the '77 car I have and install it? Don't see a need for the two part cable system with the black box.
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

[D Hook]

The one piece cable I bought to replace my 2 piece was for an early model so yes, you can.
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'80 924 n/a SOLD

[924Kid]

Ok, to answer a few of the questions....I did not contact Performance Products as I purchased the cable I think 2 summers ago. I'm pretty sure it's too late even if I wanted to cause a rukus to try to get my cash back or a replacement.

I don't drive any faster than 75-80 usually and that's even pretty rare....I prefer windy back roads. My needle never bounced at all, I literally just heard a noise and the needle just dropped. When I took out the speedo I saw it had snapped right near the gauge itself. I'm pretty sure it was installed properly because as I said, this was my second replacement and I was very careful not to bend it. If I recall I went in from the top (at the dash) fed the cable thru the firewall, connected the speedo and lights/ground and pushed it back in, then took the other end and made the connection at the front driver's side wheel. Simple enough.

Maybe it's the speedo itself that doesn't function well? I did replace a few of the plastic gears several years ago when it stopped working, but it worked fine and never made a noise after that, just the cables snapped.

What I could really use is your feedback on a place to get a good one. I shudder at the thought of calling the dealer parts dept. because of the price. (Although willing to pay more to not have it break again). I've already tried some local supply places, they don't even list it and I doubt AutoZone, Strauss or Pep Boys carry it. I think the one I got from P.P. was like a 19.99 Weltmeister or something.....seemed really flimsy even the first time I bought it compared to the one originally in the car.

[Smoothie]

What brand name is/was on the packaging?
Location of manufacture?
Were both the same brand and location?
Bought close together, so possibly from the same batch?
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox