Babyboomerboy
Senior Member
Can anyone tell me the easiest way to remove the speedometer gauge from the dash? I thought I had a broken speedometer cable but I changed that and the speedometer still doesn't work. Thanks
Remove speedometer gauge from dash
- Thread starter Babyboomerboy
- Start date
Babyboomerboy
Senior Member
Yes, I am sorry. A 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan
dmsfrr
Well-known member
I haven't yet had the pleasure of tackling this project.
But I will eventually, my speedo reads 10mph when the car is parked.
Are you sure the speedometer cable is spinning when the car is moving? If not, did you check the driven gear on the trans. end of the cable when you changed it?
If it's a plastic one the teeth can easily wear down and not turn the cable.
My first guess would be to get a rough idea of the location of the gauge cluster back-side mounting screws by looking at photos of similar ones. Ebay probably has some listed for sale with several photos for each.
Disconnect the battery, use some tape & a pen to label everything you disconnect, round up a small mirror and a fluorescent/LED worklight to see around corners while you're upside down under the dash, and go for it.
But I will eventually, my speedo reads 10mph when the car is parked.
Are you sure the speedometer cable is spinning when the car is moving? If not, did you check the driven gear on the trans. end of the cable when you changed it?
If it's a plastic one the teeth can easily wear down and not turn the cable.
My first guess would be to get a rough idea of the location of the gauge cluster back-side mounting screws by looking at photos of similar ones. Ebay probably has some listed for sale with several photos for each.
Disconnect the battery, use some tape & a pen to label everything you disconnect, round up a small mirror and a fluorescent/LED worklight to see around corners while you're upside down under the dash, and go for it.
Babyboomerboy
Senior Member
I haven't yet had the pleasure of tackling this project.
But I will eventually, my speedo reads 10mph when the car is parked.
Are you sure the speedometer cable is spinning when the car is moving? If not, did you check the driven gear on the trans. end of the cable when you changed it?
If it's a plastic one the teeth can easily wear down and not turn the cable.
My first guess would be to get a rough idea of the location of the gauge cluster back-side mounting screws by looking at photos of similar ones. Ebay probably has some listed for sale with several photos for each.
Disconnect the battery, use some tape & a pen to label everything you disconnect, round up a small mirror and a fluorescent/LED worklight to see around corners while you're upside down under the dash, and go for it.
Thank you for your response. We connected the new cable to the trans and after it didn't move the speedometer we disconnected it from the back end of the speedometer and felt the end as we moved forward and it turned. I was afraid that it was going to be a pain to get the speedometer out and I am an old man that can't bend like I use to. I'll keep you posted as to this project. Thanks again
RCM
Senior Member
I need to do that also, so I'll appreciate any insight given.
Do remove the seat. I recently had to assemble and disassemble the vac wiper motor several times and, being a pretty much straight forward operation, it still gave me a bad back for a couple of days. Removing the speedo seems like a tougher task.
Regards
Do remove the seat. I recently had to assemble and disassemble the vac wiper motor several times and, being a pretty much straight forward operation, it still gave me a bad back for a couple of days. Removing the speedo seems like a tougher task.
Regards
Definitely remove the front seat to give you enough room to lay on the floor of the car and work behind the dash. First remove the 3 light bulbs that fit into the speedo cup but label them as 1 of them is for the high beam indicator and the other two are simple gauge back lights. then there are 4 screws that hold the speedo cup to the gauge cluster. once the screws are out you have to twist the cup about 45 degrees or so to then pull it out towards the front of the car. then put a few drops of 3-1 oil into a little hole on the back side to lubricate the spinning bearing and clean up the worm gears and you should be good to go.
Grumpy Rick
Senior Member
I once got trapped in a position under the dash of a '55
customline, with a floor shifter. No fun, and I was only 60 at the time.
customline, with a floor shifter. No fun, and I was only 60 at the time.
Hay if you like to have it checked out or serviced let me know. jrnichols642@yahoo.com
Ole Don
Well-known member
The speedo on my 55 was removed several times. The whole cluster on the 55 is held in with four nuts, lock washers, and clips. I moved the seat all the way back, layed down two old bath towels to lay on and went down with the 1/4 drive and some sockets, masking tape and a writer, and a light with a magnetic base. When I was younger, my feet ended up over the seat top. Later I just played like a worm. If you are a large person, removing the seat or finding a younger skinny helper is the only way. I was about 195 the last time I did the job. Not sure if I could do it today because of arthritis. Good Luck.
poolplayer1
Senior Member
Yes, that's the rough part of it,reaching behind the cluster to get those 4 nuts off.I think u also have to remove 2 Philips screws in front of the cluster cover facing up and maybe one at the bottom that holds a plate that sits over the steering coluum.I did one about 10 years ago so can't remember exactly.
Mando
Mando