Cruise Cable, Inaccurate Speedo, Camber off on Rear Wheels

[93MTXSHO]

I have three questions. Hopefully someone can help me.

1. Can the cruise control cable be replaced separately, or does the whole servo have to be replaced?

2. My speedo will be off about 2MPH or more sometimes, and the needle won't settle on the pin until about 30-45 seconds after I stop when the car is warm, I don't notice it when cold. I have also noticed that on a long drive when I accelerate from an exit ramp, the needle will hesitate and then suddenly sweep up to the "correct" speed.

3. Will "tired" rear struts affect the camber? My rear wheels are noticably pointing in at the top, and it's supposed to go in for a 4-wheel alignment tomorrow. Also, what are the symptoms of worn out struts, my car doesn't bounce, and it handles very well, but it still has Motorcraft struts and I don't know that they've ever been replaced at 202,000.

Thanks a lot.

 

[rangerj]

93mtxsho,

1. The cruise control cable can be removed from the servo and replaced as a seperate item. In fact both cables can be replaced. The one from the trans to the servo, and the one from the servo to the throttle body.

See a service manual such as helms, Mitchels, Motors, Chiltons, or Haynes. Check you local library in the reference section.

2. The speedometer is controled by a sensor in the trans. Speedometers are no longer the old direct drive cabel type. Your speed sensor may be worn out, or has a poor connection. Again, see a service manual for its location, operation and testing. They are usually near where the right axel goes into the trans. Look for the wires!

3. Collapsed struts and/or weak springs could cause your rear wheels to be out of alignment. You will find out when you go to get it aligned!

rangerj

 

[93MTXSHO]

Thanks rangerj,

But, my car is a MTX, so is the VSS/ speedo stuff still true??? Thanks much.

David

P.S. I just got the car back, and the rear struts weren't even touched... it's going back in an hour.

 

[twr]

89-95 SHO's have cable driven speedometers, 96-99 are driven electronically. To answer the question on the speedometer, some have had good luck with lubing the cable and the needle bearing.

 

[projectSHO89]

My cruise only has one cable for the cruise, it goes from the servo to the throttle. Same as every other Ford I've worked on so far.

Steve

 

[rangerj]

93MTXSHO,

Sorry about the misinformation. The cruise control servo and cables I went out to my workbench and looked at, were from a Chrysler product. OOPS! I should have noticed the pentigram!!!

The cable from the servo to the throttle body can be replaced as a seperate unit. The answer is still yes. The servo is activated by electronic controls, unlike similar vintage Cryslers, that are mechanically activated relative to speed.

As for the speedo cable, I thought the GenII SHO had begun using electronic instruments, including the Speedometer. So, listen to Steve and TWR on the speedo cable. You can remove it and **** it with a lubricant made for Speedometer cables, graphite **** comes to mind.

As for your rear struts, and the alignment, did the mechanic offer any explanation for the visibly out of wack camber? Did he/she correct the camber, and if so how? Shims?

Steve, Terry, thanks for bailing me out. I made some assumptions I should not have made about the model years and the cruise system. What they say about assumptions, at least in this case, is true! rangerj

 

[93MTXSHO]

Thanks to everyone,

As for the camber issue, I guess I need to tell the rest of the story. I didn't even notice it was out of whack until after my trip on Jan 13th to get my stuff from college. I got back home, and it's been bitterly cold since. (teens to low thirties). I think I may have over stressed already worn out springs, but the a-holes at the "mechanic's" screwed me out of 90 bucks and didn't touch a damned thing. The dust is still on top of the strut towers in the trunk, they've never been touched. I finally calmed down and called Kevin Mahoney at ProTech Automotive in Gatithersburg, about an hour from home, and he's supposed to align it for real this Saturday. Kevin was very professional, and asked me what the camber actually was on my car. When I told him that they wouldn't tell me, he basically said, "What the ****???? You paid for it!" His attitude was very professional and I hope that the work is as great as his attitude.

For those of you with out of whack camber, Kevin mentioned that you can break the plates loose on the strut towers(?) with an air chisel and move them around until you get the correct camber. I measured with a tape measure, (not the most accurate, I know) but the camber was off 1"+ between the bottom of the tire and about half way up. They didn't touch a damned thing, and they screwed me out of 90 bucks. I'd much rather pay 125-150 and get it done right so I don't ruin $800 worth of tires.

Don't ever deal with Myers Texaco and Auto Service in Waldorf, MD!

David