Car: Jaguar MK2 3.8 M/O LHD 1962
Back to sharing experience on different small tasks; in this case on a Jaguar Mk2.
The speedo wire is fairly simple to replace, but expect 1.5 - 2 hours for the whole job, testing included.
Before you start, if you have a new wire ready, make sure you have the right one.
On the MK2 there are several different lengths - make sure yours is long enough at least.
Cable lengths:
Manual O/D
Early, LHD: 96"
Early, RHD: 78"
Late, LHD: 106"
Late, RHD: 68"
Automatic
Early DG, LHD: 60"
Early DG, RHD: 78"
Late BW35, LHD: 84"
Late BW35, RHD: 66"
Source: sngbarratt.com
1. The connection points for the speedo are back of the speedometer and at the gearbox, under the car.
It goes through the firewall, and for my LHD alongside the left inner wheel arc,
kept in place by a few clips.
So, make sure you can access the connection point underneath. It is easily accessible by just jacking up the car on the left hand side.
Before you jack it up, you can to the major work.
2. Unscrew and remove the plate below the dash.
3. You need to get the speedometer out. First unscrew and remove the black plastic around the steering column, the removal of the speedometer will be easier.
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| Back of the speedometer - note the mounting bracket/mechanism |
4. Unscrew the to setting screws on the back, same patent on most English classics from this period (Smiths).
5. Gently remove the speedometer, and unscrew the speedometer cable. Use a good light source to see where the cable goes through the fire wall.
On a LHD, the hole is lower left corner of the fire wall.
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| The cable goes through the firewall |
6. From under the bonnet, pull the cable out and loosen it from the clips, and let it drop through the engine compartment.
7. Take the new cable and follow the same line over the wheel arch, as the old cable. Do not use the clips yet. Push the new cable through the hole in the firewall gently about 5-10 cm. Through the hole in the dash where the speedometer should be, grab the cable, make sure you do not bend it too much and attach to the speedometer.
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| Where the cable originaly was |
8. Check that the cable works by turning the core. The speedometer should react.
9. Push the new cable through the engine compartment, following the same route as the old cable did.
10. Fasten the clips.
11. From under the car, remove the old cable. Look at how/where it is connected to the frame/body. If the cable has a lot of bends (it does not last long with 90 degree bends), that may be why you are changing it now. If so, find alternatives places to fasten it to the car.
12. Attach it to the gearbox.
13. Use strips or similar to keep it in place - and remember be aware of bends.
14. Put the speedometer, plastic around the steering column and the plate underneath the dash back in place.
15. Test drive! (Well, not with the car jacked up ;)).
In general be very careful with having bends on the cable when it is mounted.
Cheers,
Morten
Morten
