Need help with speedometer/odometer

freak

freak

Senior Member
My speedometer works fine. My odometer stopped working at 19999.9. I took it out today and the back was popped out. See photo. The back plug was held in with what looks to be silver colored silicone. I have no problem disassembling it but has anyone ever seen this happen before? Anyone have a tip on what might have happened?
 

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I took it apart. I can rotate the numbers very easily backwards. Nothing is stiff. Once it reaches 19999.9 it's a hard stop. So I assume the worm gear, when faced with the immovable pinion gear, pushed the cover plug off the back. Like it's jammed. Ideas?
 
The problem is definitely in the odometer number stack. They'll move but they are stiff. Staring in the 10's place. Didn't go beyond that. Anyone know how to get the stack apart?


Update: Pulls right apart. Seems like the problem is the brass tube in the stack is sticky. Like the lube dried out.
 

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This just happened to me - I managed to get the number stack apart - actually it was quite easy. My speedometer is a Waltham if that makes a difference.

Once I had the number wheels off, I used light (clock) oil on the internal gears and reassembled every thing, testing the stack as I added wheel to the stack.

I used silicone caulk to pop the odometer worm gear cover back on.

Check this link out for helpful info.

That was 150 miles ago and it’s still working OK.

Good luck !
Jim
 
It takes a lot to move all six wheels at the same time, especially if the grease is a touch old and stiff. Since the rotation of the speedometer cable doesn't stop, something has to give. It could either strip the cogs or move it back out of gear. The back popped out and the gear released. I don't know this for a fact, but it could have been designed this way to avoid breaking the drive and allow for a fairly simple repair.
 
FordTudor1931 said:
It takes a lot to move all six wheels at the same time, especially if the grease is a touch old and stiff. Since the rotation of the speedometer cable doesn't stop, something has to give. It could either strip the cogs or move it back out of gear. The back popped out and the gear released. I don't know this for a fact, but it could have been designed this way to avoid breaking the drive and allow for a fairly simple repair.
Click to expand...


I think that is right. Can you imagine the car makers designing something like that today?!?!?!?
 
Conaway2 said:
This just happened to me - I managed to get the number stack apart - actually it was quite easy. My speedometer is a Waltham if that makes a difference.

Once I had the number wheels off, I used light (clock) oil on the internal gears and reassembled every thing, testing the stack as I added wheel to the stack.

I used silicone caulk to pop the odometer worm gear cover back on.

Check this link out for helpful info.

That was 150 miles ago and it’s still working OK.

Good luck !
Jim
Click to expand...


Got it figured out. Need to clean it real good, lube it and reassemble. I'm glad I took it apart!
 
Go to Bob's Cabriolet Main Page, in his technical list is a number of speedometer repair articles. Tells you how to repair the speedo.
 
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