Have an 89 4x4 with an irritating racket that comes from the speedometer when weather gets cool and damp. Tried removing myself, Had to put it all back together before I went back to work. What have I done wrong, and can anyone help?

How far did you get? It should just pull out of the back of the gauge set. Then unscrew it from the trans. I've heard of people pouring lube down the cable, either spray lube or some type of graphite lube.

Got the instrument cluster unbolted from the dash and managed to get my hand far enough behind it to unclip the 2 wiring harnesses going into it. After that, I figured there might be a clip fastening the cable to the cluster, but couldn't get my hand far enough in there to get a hold on anything. Didn't want to get too rough with it and cause myself more problems, so I stoppped there. Wasn't quite sure what I was about to tear up.

You are going right. The clusters can be a pain in the padded ass sometimes. Just be patient and take your time. You've got to fe-nagle everything a little. Some may disagree with this but: if you have the time to work on it without the pressure of having to drive it some where, I suggest you remove the steering wheel. I know it won't give you any more room behind the cluster or help you see any better, but your arms will be able to move freely and it opens up your work area a lot and uncramps the space. If you are having a hard time, think about how much of that frustration is really because of having to look over, reach around, or reach through while looking around; the steering wheel.

I used a graphite lube on my speedo cable a number of years ago. It eventually broke anyway, but it postponed that for probably 5-6 years.
Removing the steering wheel probably will make it easier to get your arms in there. I haven't had to do that, but I may have had more wiggle room in mine.

Todd

I just undid mine a few weeks ago. Its pretty simple. Unhook ALL of your wiring harnesses. There is a release on the clip for the speedo cable located on top. Press down on the top of the cable, and pull back. It will pop off. I can take a pic of it if you need me to.

Another trick is to unhook the cable at the transmission, providing some slack to pull the cluster out farther - more room for the hand.

Wait...you only unclipped 2? There should be 4

Oil method: Unscrew it from the transmission and work it(loosen bendable retainers) back up and out the engine compartment. Careful not to kink it!! Then oil patiently and freely letting gravity push it through the cable/cover. A little compressd air may help get th oil to where it needs to go quicker. 89 Truck's been quiet for 8-10 years now and 91 4runner lasted about 4 yrs. It's about due for another lube job. May try synthetic oil this time. Good luck