I recently got an 81 and from day 1 there was a clicking sound coming from the instrument cluster. I assumed it to be speedo, but it seemed to be working OK. Today I begain to have long periods of erratic readings (+/-30 MPH swings), although sometimes it would settle down and appear normal. What is the consensus, speedometer or cable? How difficult to fix?

Thanks!

 

i've heard, and sort of seen, that getting to the transmission end of the cable is a pain in the ***.
I have a semi-working speedometer as well.

 

If your speedo is working watch your odometer and see if any movement corresponds with the clicking sound. Could be the teeth on the odometer wheels wearing or sometimes if trying to roll several digits the wheels can get hung between teeth. If you speedo is starting to bounce around, your cable is ready to be replaced. Before installing the new cable be sure to grease all but 6" of the cable near the speedo. Grease will work its way up the cable. Pull the new cable out of the housing, grease between two fingers and pull the cable through your fingers to lubricate, re-insert cable into the housing. It is easier to connect the new cable to the transmission side first when installing.

 

The +/- swings of the speedometer sounds like a cable. I had +/- 25 mph swings and replaced the cable and now it is +/- 2 mph. It made all kinds of noises before replacing now it is quiet.