TR7 speedo cable.

[steve redway]

I have a problem with a GSD287 replacement speedo cable not clipping in to the body of the speedo casing. The clamp ferrule on the inner cable at the speedo head end is sitting on top of the speedo case moulding and unlike the original (which uses a brass top hat ferrule) not entering into the speedo case moulding, 
Has anybody come across this issue? Does the ferrule have to go inside the speedo case moulding to allow the clip to engage? Do I need to fettle the clamp ferrule? Do I have the inner cable reversed?

 

[steve redway]

I am surprised there have been no replies to this thread as this problem must have been encountered before. The solution is whilst this is the right replacement cable the ferrule should site "inside" the speedo back housing, not on top of the casing as it did. The solution was to carefully grind the the ferrule from it's rough crimped hexagonal shape to one more rounded. Once done it slipped into the housing ensuring that there was enough leeway to allow rotation. Then the outer plastic sleeve fitted over and clipped correctly into place. 

I am assured by the supplier that they have not come across this before so my cable must be a rogue that escaped the "ferrule grinding" stage.

Note that if replacing a TR7 speedo cable there are two quite different single piece types for the UK. One for speedos with cable resets GSD287 and one for later cars with push button reset GSD388. Do not just go on VIN numbers as Triumph factories, even at the later stages of TR7 production, were fitting whatever came to hand. Note that in the US Californian TR7s under stricter emissions regimes may well have a two part speedo cable that went through a emissions distance "calculator" unit. 

Edited September 28, 2025 by steve redway
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