Can anyone advise the easiest way to fit a speedo cable to 65 mini? I can't get my hand in there at all. I need to replace the whole cable not just the inner. Seems like a serious design fault to me.

I researched this, what I read was either have tiny hands or take the radiator out, to make things easier

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SPO41 Mk2 Cooper S very original
1993 R32 Nissan Skyline GTR

Not sure if removing rad Is the way to go. There's no access from the side due to various pipes and brackets

Nothing but hard work here. twin carbs make it even worse.

Helps to have the air cleaner off, and sure if you happen to have a reason to take the rad out, then all the better, but not always required.

I make it easy on myself by not tightening the speedo cable nut up too tight on the gearbox end, but you can't help it if it is already tight. I have a really short pair of 4" multigrips I picked up somewhere which I can get in there and get a decent grip on the nut if I have to.

If life gets really hard, and the thread doesn't move, you can have a go at removing the 7/16ths bolt just underneath the nut and behind to remove the top speedo drive gear cover with the cable. Once you've then removed the cable, you can put it back on without the cable in the way, and reattach the cable after that.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

So you're saying it IS possible ( maybe not easy) without removing the engine?

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"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

Absolutely! The aluminum nut is just a little difficult to get to and can be a little tight.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

So if I take off the air cleaners I should be able to fit my arm down there?

Great, this is a job I have been putting off. Will give it a crack this week.

Thanks Mick

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"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity: lick it once and you'll suck forever" Brian Wilson

Well I can. Its not my favorite place in the whole world, but it can be done, even with twins in the way.

I don't know how many times I've forgotten to hook it up and haven't noticed until the carbs were on.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

It takes me 10min to fit the speedo cable and i dont have "small" hands.
I just feel my way around till i fit it.. I usually pass my hand between the bottom hose and the extractors.

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http://www.flickr.com/by_dan
Current: 1970 Mini K 2014 Focus ST
Past: 93 Rover, 64 850, 97 Rover, 66 Deluxe, 66 Moke
81 Austin Estate, 2006 R53MCS, 66 Deluxe, 1978 Clubbie
2014 Land Rover Defender 90

Are you coming up from below or from the top Danny?

I did mine when the radiator was out while putting a new water pump in!
Made it easier and I had the passenger side engine steady undone and jacked it up so it was on a slant!
That makes it heaps easier!

Cheers, Rhys

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2000 Holden Rodeo TD - The Daily
1998 JDM Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V -The Weekender
1977 Leyland Mini 998cc, 1293cc in the works - The project
1977 Leyland Mini Van - Sold
1966 Morris Mini Deluxe - Sold
2004 MINI Cooper S Chilli - Sold

From the top. I will use my left hand and generally rotate is 180 degrees. I would take a picture of where my hand goes but the car is currently at the mechanics
Don't forget to lube the cable! I have smeared lithium grease inside mine.

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http://www.flickr.com/by_dan
Current: 1970 Mini K 2014 Focus ST
Past: 93 Rover, 64 850, 97 Rover, 66 Deluxe, 66 Moke
81 Austin Estate, 2006 R53MCS, 66 Deluxe, 1978 Clubbie
2014 Land Rover Defender 90

It can be done from above or underneath, infact i've changed one from underneath without jacking the car up! But if you can't get your arm down past the carbies etc go from underneath. If you jack the car up, you can easily (figuratively speaking) get your hand over the pot joint/uni-joint to the cable.

If the retaining nut is too tight for you to move by hand, you can use a screwdriver through the inner guard to tap it undone.

I found the new cable inner was a little bigger than the old original and wouldn't fit in the drive at the bottom. A touch on the grinding wheel (just a touch) on all four surfaces with a slight tapper and it fitted OK

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!