what is the proper way to hook up the speedometer cable on the front hub? I noticed that you can't use a cotter pin through the spindle. It looks like some sort of c clip that holds the spindle nut on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


1964 Starfire

 

I have a pair of front drums off a 65 Delta which has the speedometer stuff in the one off the left side. I'm sure you know how the cable goes through the spindle, it is driven by a few pieces inside the dust cover. I will dig it out and take pictures for you tomorrow and post them so you can see what parts are there and how it works. I looked for the stuff in the shop manual but didn't come up with it quickly, I'll keep looking in there also.

Mike

 

The cable comes right through the center of the spindle, where the square end fits into a recess in a little plastic piece that is held in place inside the dust cap with a sort of one-way force-fit spring. I don't remember how the cable sheath is retained, but it isn't complicated.

- Eric

 

My main concern is the c clip that secures the spindle nut on. I don't feel as safe without a cotter pin.

 

These pictures are not too good, but you will get the idea, and the question about the cotter pin is answered.
The dust cover has a piece for the cable to fit into and that is what turns the cable as the wheel turns. The brass spring looking thing sets at the bottom of the dust cap, the cable runs through it as well. The nut is different than the non speedo piece, the little "C" shaped spring clip takes the place of a cotter pin to hold the nut in place at the desired level/torque, to keep the wheel bearing tight. I laid it semi in position so you could see how it sticks through the nut far enough to penetrare the spindle shaft far enough to hold the nut in place. When installed on the car it is springy and holds itself in place on the nut as the nut has a place/cove/indented area for it to lay in. None of this stuff is plastic on this car, 65 Delta.
My blabbering may be confusing but even with the poor quality of the pictures you can see how it works. If the pictures are too bad I will take some more, just let me know.
Mike
dadphelps@yahoo.com

 

That clip has held the nut on for tens of thousand of people for millions of miles.

Don't worry about it.

- Eric

 

Is that clip bent on one end?

My Vista has those ant-static deals in the dust covers, I was a grease monkey in the early 70's and packed a lot of wheel bearings and I rarely saw those things, the boss only let me touch chebbys and F-words though.
Olds is known for their radio noise suppression efforts to please their acoustically discerning owners.

 

Nope, that's the way it's supposed to be.
One end curls in, to engage the groove or keyway in the axle stub,
the other end curls out, so you've got something to pry against when removing it.

- Eric

 

Since both clips look the same I think they were made like that.
Mike

 

That's the way it is on my '67 Delta 88 Custom and yes I also don't feel safe without a cotter pin too. I have driven this car about 5,000 miles so far and no problems, but that little 'c' clip is still on my mind.

Hey... 1964starfire, 66luvr and MDchanic Great pictures!

Jaybird

 

Awwww, c'mon, guys...

I had two of these cars in previous years, and I drove 'em like I stole 'em (daily commuting in NYC year-round), and those clips never gave me a problem, even when I hit an unmarked, raised manhole cover on the FDR Drive at 70mph with the front frame crossmember (never quite handled the same again after that, I'm afraid).

- Eric

 

MDchanic: I'm probably worried about nothing. It's not like I remember hearing stories about left front wheels falling off Oldsmobiles...

Unlike the stories I heard about exploading Ford Pintos.

FordPintoExplosion.jpg


BTW... My father owned a 1971 Pinto. In the two years that he owned it, I put 55,000 miles on it. No explosions.

1964starfire: Do you feel any safer now?

Jaybird

 

Buddy of my fathers used to drive and race Pintos. He made some pretty fast cars.
Graduated to the Capri / Mustang platform, then to other things.
I don't remember him ever worrying about exploding...

- Eric

 

OK So how does/where does the actual speedo cable go in this whole deal? I have a 65 Dynamic and about ready to tear into this and see whats what. P.S. My speedo is not working so what are the chances of finding a new speedo cable?

 

It goes from the speedo, through the firewall, around to the left, and into the inside of the left front spindle.

- Eric

 

I should have been more specific. Where does it go in the spindle cap. I am looking at mine right now and all seems to be properly hooked up at the hub so. .......

 

I'm confused. It goes right in to the middle. It has to because, of course, it spins.

- Eric

 

Ok so the speedo cable is broken. Now what? 1965 oldsmobile dynamic 88 speedo cable can be bought Where?

 

i was just clarifying my question which was before taking mine hub apart. However it is all moot now.....i need a cable

 

You should be able to get a universal replacement cable core and cut it to size, though I will admit I just did a quick search and couldn't find one.

I'd try bringing the old one to a good parts store and seeing what they can turn up.

- Eric

 

Look at your other thread. I just posted there.

 

Here's one;
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATP-YC101/
I have used these and they work fine, not this brand but this type, cut to fit.

If you want to search for these kits try "Cut to fit speedometer cable core", several came up, including ebay;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ATP-YC101-Sp...30989709891%26

 

Those are what I was talking about as I was rushing out to work this morning.

- Eric

 

....And here I was looking into why the speedo in my rolling living room isn't working, now that I have fixed my ignition nightmare....and now this? It's driven through the spindle and dust cap? Are you F***ing kidding me? Seriously? Not on the tailshaft of the trans like everything else known to man?

I am really trying not to cut up the car (ex. aftermarket gauges, etc) I just want the damn speedo to work.