79 CJ5 Speedometer

Driving down the road a few weeks ago, I heard a snap. Thinking it was just a rock I just kept on going. Last night I noticed that when I hit around 50 mph, my needle seems to really bounce. At around 25-30 mph it doesn't seem to bounce, so that is why I haven't noticed it so far. Is this part easy/hard to replace? I am pretty mechincal inept... Is this even the part I am looking for?

Thanks in advance.
Brian

 

first visually check the cable casing to make sure it's not crushed/melted/damaged in any way
follow it from the firewall down to the transfer case
if it looks okay, unscrew the cable from transfer case
pull it off
with your fingers, try to turn the cable core..it should turn freely and easily
if not, carefully unscrew/disconnect from under the dash
drop the cable down so you can pull the core out of the casing
try lubing with chain lube and/or white grease; this is a messy job; coat the entire cable
reinsert the core, reinstall the cable top and bottom, and go for a drive
note: the cable will only pull out from the top or speedo head end; there is a stop on it to keep from pulling out from down below
also when reinstalling core into cable, note that the ends are squared off; they must be aligned for full engagement on each end, speedo and transfer case; you will feel it push in
I would do this first as its easiest
you could also have problem in the speedo head itself

 

Jim,

Thanks for all that info. I will print it out and give it a try