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MG TD TF 1500 - Speedometer Cable

My speedometer started to act goofy, going from 20 mph to 60 mph while only doing 10 mph. I had to pull the instrument to re calibrate it anyway and after taking it apart I found it was loaded with oil which came up the cable. Cleaned the oil out of the speedometer and it seems fine now. Question, is there a seal or O ring at the connector on the transmission to prevent this? I was amazed just how much oil was in the speedometer cable, it was actually soaking wet inside. How can I prevent this in the future? PJ
Paul161

This solves it...

https://fromtheframeup.com/uploads/TT_GE185_Speedo_Pinion_Housing_Modification.pdf
Gene Gillam

Thanks Gene for that info. As the modified unit is on an exchange bases, I'm going to wait until Winter when the car is put to bed to order a modified one from the frame up. I don't have the machining facilities to do the mod myself. Thanks again. PJ
Paul161

I contacted the frame up and the modified unit is $79.50 with a refundable core charge of $80.00. I will be ordering the modified unit to solve this problem. Thanks again Gene for this info. PJ
Paul161

Just ordered The modified speedometer cable Pinion Housing from Doug Pelton, he has a couple more but needs to make more up. I was told that they are a royal pain to modify, I guess not for the home handyman. PJ
Paul161

So what are we looking at as the problem cause? Are you gent's talking of 2 different fixes above? After many many miles I have yet to experience this leak, using what appears as the original cable.

The frame up link looks to be a winner as it is simple enough in its own way. Could it be the cause of no problem over all the years for me has been due to re-greasing with a nice heavy bearing grease? I suspect the load of heavy grease acts like a seal of sorts.

You gents are speaking of a dribble of oil out the pinion house working its way up the cable and causing troubles, yes?



P Ward

Waiting for the FTFU solution, try this simple one :
http://www2.mg-cars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=archiveth&archiveyear=8_2016.dat&access=&subject=8&subjectar=8&source=T&thread=2016040719032719209

It is not a total cure but it really helps.

Laurent.
LC Laurent31

My problem was oil dribbling out all over the garage floor. I'm impressed with FTFU service: I ordered the part last night and it was shipped today.
Joe
Joe Olson

My problem was not any drops on the floor, I have no leaks anywhere, the problem is oil seeping through the pinion housing and creeping up the speedometer cable and eventually getting into the speedometer. The shaft in the pinion housing has a reverse scroll cut into it and when new, no oil will get past it, but when the brass housing wears, the scroll is not enough to hold the oil back. Doug Peltons modification has an O ring put in the housing and stops the oil seeping through. I ordered mine today and it was shipped today also. That's service for you! PJ
Paul161

I fitted one of the Doug Pelton modified units more than a year ago and it has totally solved the problem. His turn around time was very minimal, I sent my old one in and within a week had the modified one back. Great service.
John Quilter

Paul,

Be careful removing the pinion housing...it may be stuck and it is possible to break one of the mounting ears off.

Gene
Gene Gillam

Thanks Gene, I'll keep that in mind. Larry Shoer emailed me Dougs directions on removing and re installing the housing, hopefully it won't be too tight. PJ
Paul161

Paul

I would be happy if you send an email with the instruction to sweets_for_my_sweet(at)t-online.de
Bela

Bela,

I will send this information to you. These are the instructions from FTFU and my additional notes.

I'll also send a copy to Bud to place on his website.

Larry
Larry Shoer

Well, Larry beat me to it. LOL. PJ
Paul161

Well I got the old pinion housing out with little difficulty and found out the shaft has no reverse scroll on it, perfectly smooth, it and the brass housing shows hardly any wear. The new one should arrive today or tomorrow. Doing this without pulling the floorboard out is a tussle, but that's no surprise, no different than anything else on these cars, Grin. PJ
Paul161

Paul,
Look inside the housing, not the shaft. That's where there is, or at least there was at one time, a reverse scroll.
Joe
Joe Olson

Got the modified pinion housing from The Frame Up yesterday and sent the old one back to them. Changing it out wasn't as bad as I thought. Following Dougs instructions made it easier to get the old one out and new one in without damaging it, they fit very tight. Only hitch was laying on my back working in limited space and not removing the floorboard, that I didn't want to do. Worked out well. They actually cut the outer portion off, machine a groove for the O ring and braise it back together, very professionally done, if I wasn't told they did it that way, I would have never known. PJ
Paul161

Originally there was a felt bushing in the speedo cable housing at the transmission that was supposed to keep the oil from traveling up the cable.
Christopher Couper

All back together plus re calibrated the speedometer. Was reading 11 mph slow, after re calibrating it, it reads .5 mph slow, that's close enough for me as the tach could be slightly off. PJ
Paul161

This thread was discussed between 15/06/2016 and 20/06/2016

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