Replacing Odometer Gear w/o Removing Needle?

[vesnyder]

I know some of you guys have done this, and I've serached and could not find the details? I have taken the speedo apart and removed the old gear, which crumbled in my hands, and ordered a new one - but I cannot figure out how I am going to get the new gear in place without removing the odometer assy from the rest of the speedo? I read where some guys have unscrewed the four screws through the trip odometer hole (w/o removing the needle), but I cannot even get the face to turn because the trip reset extends too far (I have removed the black exterior button).

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated!

[vesnyder]

Hopefully I've solved my own problem - I removed the reset button from the connection rod which allowed me to totally remove the reset mechanism. This removal allowed me to rotate the speedo face and through the reset hole, remove the four screws under the face, whcih allowed separation of the odometer from the rest of the speedo and access to the gear set. This access will allow me to install the gear with minimal interference. Once I receive the gear and install it I will report back and let you know how it went - and if it works.