Classic/Antique Car Repair: 71 El Camino Speedo Cable Lubrication, speedometer cable, step by step directions

Question
I have a 1971 El Camino and the speedo needle bounces and it makes noise.  I have successfully corrected this type of problem many times before on other cars by accessing the speedometer cable, cleaning it, lubricating it and replacing it.  However, with this particular vehicle there doesn't appear to be any easy way to access the cable.  I consulted the Chevy shop manual and a Hayne's manual and both describe removing the entire dashboard assembly!  Do you know of any short-cuts to fixing this problem, or am I destined to have some fun?

Answer
There were two different panels available for this series of cars.  One has an instrument panel with 3 round instruments, with the center one directly over the steering column.  On This one it is really tough to get at the speedometer cable, because whole instrument cluster has to come completely loose from the dash, rolled out at the top to lay down on the steering column so you can get at the cable.  If you have this one and need step by step directions, post a follow up to me and I'll take you through it.  There are 13 different steps to take, and according to the book, it takes two men to do it!

The other instrument panel has a large rectangular speedometer offset slightly to the right of the steering column.  If you have this one, (and almost all El Caminos do), you can simply lower the steering column, disconnect the parking brake release rod and then you can reach up behind the panel to disconnect the speedometer cable without taking anything else apart.

I hope you have the easy one!

Dick