Re: VW Rabbit "wisdom of experiance" lesson

[Paul G <neong@gte.net>]

>I found out today coming back from eastern Washington in my Jetta when my
>speedometer was SCREAMING at me over 20 mph for lack of lubrication. If you
>do everything the manual says, all you need to do is reach in back of the
>speedometer and press the dot on the end of the lever on the coupler while
>pulling gently on the instrument cluster. You have to pull it that half inch
>so that you can get your fingers on the dot. It won't work unless the
>cluster is loose.

Press the dot? Are you refering to the cable housing being held in with a
lock button? I see no dot, and don't read of one either. My speedo cable
housing is threaded into the back of the speedo, like an old Beetle.

Perhaps being an '81, or being US built, affects the parts I have. I found
2 speedo cables listed for '81 Rabbits with MT and without a "recorder"
box. One is 38.4 inches, the other 43.3 inches, the longer one is about 1/2
the price and listed to replace the shorter one. I could have used the
extra 4.9 inches last evening!

[snip]
>If you ever take the cable or dash out, lubricate the cable so it won't
>scream at you later.
>
>Joe Smalley

Lubing the cable is an *excellent* point. It should be done, even to a new
cable. I've had great luck in the past using a lithium grease suspended in
solvent in a little spray can. Flows easy and leaves a nice grease in its
path. Of course, I'll have to find such a thing again.

Neon