Well I changed the speedo cable on my 66 230 sl last night, and after all the research from the different online forums I learned something.
USE the lock bolt to open the clamp that holds the cable in place!
The speedo cable has a metal collar that fits into a tube clamp that is part of the tranny.
The tube is formed with the top being the clamp part.
On the inner aspect the clamp is part of the tranny (no hinge here)
On the outer aspect the clamp is open. A 5mm allen bolt goes up thru the bottom and bolts into the upper part of the clamp and tightens the speedo cable in place.
Note: the end of the cable has a butterfly shaped section that the bolt goes thru thus ensuring the cable is fully inserted. The bolt must be removed to r/r the cable.
When removing the cable loosen the bolt a little, and see if the cable will come out, if not
Push up on the bolt a little and this will open the clamp a little. Keep doing this until the cable seems it will come out.
THEN, take the bolt out and the cable will come out, AND the new cable should slide in,
IF the new cable does not slide in, put the bolt only back in turn till it just starts to tighten and loosen and push up on the bolt. The bolt acts as the pry bar to open the clamp.
I did not follow the procedure above, I just used a pry bar and broke the clamp right off the tranny. (after a few attempts to open the clamp)
I am probably not the first to do this and probably not the last.
All is not lost, I was able to put the broken clamp back on and tighten it down.
I used a little loc tite just in case.
This process may help someone out in the future….
