What am I doing wrong-quadrant removal?

[DW5.0L]

Today, I decided to tackle the speedometer cable removal and installation. I an wrapping up my rebuild project. I got the console out of the way and will have no problem putting the cable. It just isn't as easy as reading stuff online would lead you to believe. But its not impossible.

Anyway, since the I could see the quadrant, I decided to tackle that. What a bitch! I cannot get the Pawl off of its perch. It doesn't seem to want to clear the frame structure that is in the way. The rest of the quadrant is out and so are the two hairpin clips.

How do you get it off. Please help me so I can put the Steeda one on.

 

[TrunkFunk]

Don't you hate that

I had one that was cake, came right off and another car that had the same problem as yours.

I had my girlfriend reach under the dash with a long screwdriver and stabilize and position the pawl.
I then took a hand held hack saw (small 4-6" long blade) and stuck it through the cable hole in the firewall.
With my head under the hood I sawed and sawed on that b*tch until it finally was gnarled up enough to break with pressure and slide out.
I took both pieces and burned them in a coffee can with lighter fuel ... that made me feel soooo much better

When I was cutting the end off the pawl I cut as close to the pawl shift so I could just break the plastic with the screwdriver when I had cut the pawl deep enough.

It's a pain, but after enough sweat you'll get there

 

[HISSIN50]

A tip from Jeremy Thompson (V8 only) is to use a small tire iron as a means of prying/leverage. Just be careful.

Good luck.

 

[mustangphil]

I read in 5.0 magazine to just break that thing off if you're replacing it. I'll probably be doing mine tomorrow along with a firewall adjuster.

 

[joeyd0730]

i agree, just break it off.

 

[93-331-29psi]

That is how mine come out (Broken). In several pieces.

 

[87_stang]

either you could break it off or take a dremel or die grinder to it. It only took me a few minutes to get it off and the new one on with the dremel. Just put a grinding wheel or port and polish stone on it.

 

[Foxfan88]

i just took a prybar and stuck it b/w the plastic and the metal, and rotated the bar, its a big thick prybar, like 3/4 inch, so it moves it quite a bit.

But what happened in the end, i was fighting to get it off, eventually i chewed up the plastic enough from just working at it, it came off. I pryed at it from the clutch cable hole and it came off.

also make sure the pedal is all the way to the firewall. theres a little more clearance up top.

 

[Black1987Stang]

\
also make sure the pedal is all the way to the firewall. theres a little more clearance up top.

Def. do that, it will help u out alot. I got my friends out without any destruction...good thing too b/c i had to put it back in which was harder than getting it out since u have to get the spring up in there too if i remember right.

 

[DW5.0L]

Thanks

I did have the clutch pedal all the way down, pulled back the carpet and pressed it into the firewall. That kicked my ass yesterday. But its a new day and I will go deeper into the arsenal for heavier firepower and use your suggestions to get it off.

When I get this resolved, even more fun is in store as I have to replace the heater core. But the car will be done and ready to fire up and start breaking in the new engine, transmission, and rear end.

This forum is great!