If the cable is too short, why not remove the entire cable from the transmission side as well? Even with my fat hands I can reach down from the top and unscrew the cable from the transmission.

Ppssst... pssst Alex: Not so silly considering just 3 minutes previous, in the appropriate thread titled " Steering column inner shaft question" you posted this message:

You may wish to read the title of the thread again.
I did read the 'essay', whose primary message was about his speedometer cable - the thread subject - and the rest was, as he says, "Anouther example of a badge ; the two stalks on the steering column were not set up properly."

Considering that when I read your post, the two posts showed together on the screen, it appeared you wanted to add something to his steering column thread but clicked on the other thread.

Pssssst... Dan: you may wish to read Derwoods essay which I replied to before typing silly things...

(psssst... Alex: wrong thread mate!)

The inner column is fixed and immobile by design, you can however slide the outer shroud up and down a little bit by loosening the clamp bolt & bracket under the dash.  

Don't forget that there are two main flavours of RC40 - single box and twin box.  Just because you may only have a rear silencer doesn't mean it has been butchered.

Thanks Dan and malsal. Without pulling the cable out of the sheathing I can see that the end is square. It hasent been rounded. To my eyes it looks like the shortest cable ( 26 inches IIRC ) and needs to be about 3 inches more. I’m going to spend some time on the Mini again this evening ( going to recruit my brother to help me fit a quick release bonnet hinge set.The bending is hard on my back ( everyone’s back I suppose ) plus the extra light will be a help. Quite a few bodges on this car.....Grrrr.

Anouther example of a badge ; the two stalks on the steering column were not set up properly. This left the two stalks turning opposite each other when either stalk was pushed up or down. While working to fix this and also replace the steering lock mechanism I noticed that the inner steering column is too low. So I have to get anouther open end wrench to loosen it ( at the firewall inside the car ) and move the inner column up enough to hold the stalks in proper place and also to be high enough to actuate the automatic cancel. More Grrrr.

But I’m slowly getting there. One job at a time, and as I mentioned, I’m correcting these bodges whenever I can. Time consuming, but I think a few more weeks should have it street ready. I’m hoping to replace the exhaust from the header back early next week. It’s currently got a butchered RC40 on it without a resonator and possibly a leak at the header. I don’t mind a bit of “snap “ from the exhaust, but it’s ridiculous the way it is ( and was upon arrival ). In this sense b c is correct. I just didn’t like it to be the same point brought up time after time after time. Enough said about that. I’ll have a fine Mini eventually....that’s the main thing to me. Plus, the body is REALLY EXCELLENT.

Thanks again for you assistance gents, Darren. PS- it is frustrating, but it’s also a good way to learn how the Mini is put together.

Some of the newer ones i have seen have a plastic ferrule about 1 inch before the end if so no need to measure.
If you are just replacing the cable the lengths are on the vendors sites.

Yes you can disconnect the speedometer cable at the instrument pack and pull the core out. Before pulling the core out, measure and mark how much is exposed at the top end. When you reinstall it, you have to be sure the bottom end of the core re-engages fully.

Hi gang, I’m wondering if I can safely remove the speedo drive cable ( just the inner part ) from the instrument cluster ( center gauges ) without touching the nut on the transmission end. I just want to check the ends and get a length messurement. Thanks, Darren and Lupin.