Odometer Gears --> Good Source

TurboBert · 10:00 PM

I found a great source for good replacement VDO gears at a very reasonable price ($25 in my case) at http://members.ispwest.com/jkcaplan/gearwebpage/gear.html

My 150mph speedometer lost a few teeth on the gear that is driven by the worm drive.

Here's what my failed gear looked like before I took it out:

Here's what it looks like after the install:

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The service was great and it was a perfect fit.

I've read a lot about how resetting the trip meter can destroy the gears, but I think the real problem is the plastic just breaks down after about 15 years. No matter what you do, these things are going to deteriorate. Mine crumbled even with minimal pressure

IROC · IROC's Garage

Good info! Just curious, but did your odometer simply stop working or was it intermittent? Mine started acting up last summer. It would work fine in the mornings (when it was relatively cool out), but in the afternoons it would stop functioning. I never thought about taking it apart and trying to fix it (I have a spare speedo that I was going to install), but I think I'll give it a shot.

Mike
'76 Euro 911 with 3.2 going in....

dean · 03-12-2003, 04:50 AM

Wow great job. Now if you could find a source for dist. springs

gregk1 · 03-12-2003, 04:57 AM

Yahoo I have been looking for a place to buy these gears, like you say the spedo shops want to nick you for the whole job, And it is sooo easy to change the gear, I have two to repair and didn't want to drop $250 but I will drop $50 and it's a done deal>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for the Info!!

TurboBert · 03-12-2003, 08:04 PM

Just curious, but did your odometer simply stop working or was it intermittent?

Mike,
My odometer was working fine one minute and then suddenly stopped the next. If yours is working intermittently, then you may have a gear that's slipping or worn. Wayne's 101 Project book is a good source for info.

pnzr911 · 07-27-2003, 03:14 PM

That looks just like my gear!!!! Excellent info!!! That saves me $$$$$$$$$ Thanks for sharing your source!!

plain fan · 07-27-2003, 03:38 PM

Does anyone know if the gear types changed throught the history of the odometers? In other words should the gear for a new odometer like that work on an older odometer like in my 66?

TurboBert · 07-27-2003, 04:28 PM

Yes, I am 90% certain they did change. You may want to send Jeff Caplan (he manufactures the gears on the referenced site) an e-mail at hamonbagel@yahoo.com and ask to confirm, but chances are he'll ask you to remove the gear from your odometer and count the teeth. Jeff is a decent guy; I'm sure he'll be helpful.

Erakad · Erakad's Garage

Need to piggy back on this. I discoved Jeff about 6 months ago thru a link on PP, and gotta say yes, he really is a decent guy. Helped me out even after I ordered the wrong gear...warning...check the gear carefully before ordering. Replacing the gear wasn't so bad, I avoided removing the needle by removing the screws through the odometer reset hole..rotation around to all 4. When you look at the yahoos that have paid upward of $100+ for speedo repair, this is really a cost effective alternative.

cab83_750 · 07-28-2003, 08:57 AM

I have replaced my gear also. It just died instantly. I was advised that the gears are the weakest link of the VDO's.

As above, gears differ on the 'model #' of the unit. I believe I paid $20.00 for the gear.

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

You made my day. Good Find.

pnzr911 · 07-30-2003, 08:12 PM

I just got my gear from jeff.......but its the wrong one. My gear look like the one in the first pic. I have 29 teeth on the inside gear. He sent me one with only 21 and a much smaller dia. Needless to say I am very bummed.

I will contact him and hopefully he will remedy it.