Speedometer/Odometer repair

[vdubdriver]

The odometer in my '73 super beetle does not work. I've pulled the speedometer from the dash and have disassembled it. There is a plastic gear on the end of the odometer shaft that has cracked and no longer turns. The date on the back of the speedometer is 1/73. I have another speedometer dated 10/71 which is also a 100 mph speedo. The 10/71 odometer has a brass gear instead of a plastic one. I do not believe I can remove the brass gear from the '71 odometer and install it on the '73 odometer. My only other choices are to repair the plastic gear by using epoxy OR remove the entire speedometer/odometer from the '71 and put it in to the '73 speedometer housing. To do this, I would have to remove the speedometer needle so that I can use the '73 speedo face. My question is, can I do this without affecting the calibration of the speedo?

[tarrich]

You can take the 3 flat screws (one holding the fuel gauge vibrator). Then you can remove on the speedo cable lump and remove the whole thing(face and needle and mechanism). You can either drive the odometer pin out or bend the bracket enough to get the gear take the whole shaft out. As long as the clock spring stay in tension. It should be okay. Taking the worm gear lose with let you synchronize the odometer or swap with the other speedo- two more screws on both sides of speedo cable mount threading . You can eithe Use great car when removing the needle. Two flat blades under the needle on both sides of the needle. Then take the screws holding the face on. I suppose pictures would have been easier illustrate how and what to swap.

[vdubdriver]

Feb 28, 2011 1:46:19 GMT -5 tarrich said:

I suppose pictures would have been easier illustrate how and what to swap.

Thanks Tarrich, but I already have the speedometer apart. I wanted to remove the brass gear on the '71 odometer and install it on the '73 in place of the cracked plastic gear. The gears are located at the end of the odometer shaft. The end of the shaft is enlarged so the gear will not come off. I see two choices. 1) use a dremel and grind the shaft until the gear slides off. I can then use some JB weld at the end of the shaft of the '73 odometer to keep the gear from sliding off. or 2) remove the speedometer needle and face from the '71 and '73 speedometers and switch the odometer/speedometer mechanicals, then replace the speedo face and needle. I'm just not sure if this will mess up the calibrated speedo. I guess there's only one way to find out. I posted here to see if anyone else has done something similar.

[Ruffuss]

I have a 73 Thing speed-o for parts if you want? Come get it!

[vdubdriver]

Feb 28, 2011 21:15:46 GMT -5 Ruffuss said:

I have a 73 Thing speed-o for parts if you want? Come get it!

Thanks Ruffuss, I appreciate the offer. I already have a sacrificial speedometer with a good odometer.

I did a little research and found out that there is a calibration mark on the front of my speedo face. I can remove the speedo needle and face, then replace the whole speedo/odometer mechanicals. When I put the speedo face back on, all I need to do is align the speedo needle with the calibration mark on the speedo face and put the speedo needle on the 0 mph stop(peg).

[tarrich]

Glad to here it. Now you can dial in the odometer to the desired value even if requires pulling the advancer/digit lockers by the flat on the shaft or bending the bracket enough to loosen the shaft . I have been trying to figure out how trip odometer could be added. My ford tempo got one after I modified it Maybe I could use a motorcycle. The stop might be where to stick the re-set.

[vdubdriver]

Mar 2, 2011 1:15:28 GMT -5 tarrich said:

I have been trying to figure out how trip odometer could be added. My ford tempo got one after I modified it Maybe I could use a motorcycle. The stop might be where to stick the re-set.

That sounds like an interesting project. I'd like to see pictures if you get if figured out.