Odometer gear, West coast.

[slodave]

Hi!

Looks like my odometer/tripometer gear decided to fall apart a couple of days ago. I have searched PP and have discovered that most repair companies won't sell you a gear and the two companies that will, are back East. Anybody know where I can pick up a gear in SoCal? I live realle close to North Hollywood speedo, but I don't think they will sell me the gear.I have the speedo apart and would really like to have it together by the weekend.

Thanks!

Dave

P.S. it is a 20x30 tooth gear.

[dickepoohp]

Dunno about this WEEKEND, but google "odometer repair", or southern electronics, theirs cost around $30.

[dickepoohp]

Ah, just saw you need a 20/30..it is $32, free shipping, part # 10-028 I'll bet.

[slodave]

Odometer is fixed. The old gear was brittle, but sticky. Really weird. Just looking at it wrong caused a tooth to fall off!

I ordered the gear from www.odometergears.com and it arrived this afternoon and after a couple of hours trying to figure out how to get to the gears, I finally realized that it is easy! I had read a thread, that said by unscrewing the four screws under the face plate with needle nose pliers (small ones), you could get at the gears. I also had to remove two small screws that held part of the needle motor to the rear frame. I would have taken pictures, but I was in a rush. I forgot to put those two screws back, so I will be taking it apart again tomorrow evening. I'll take a few pics then and try and give some explanations via pointers.

It's actually a very easy job, well, getting the outer trim ring is a bear. I decided to set the odo to 227,500 (was 227,481 when it broke). I don't really know how many miles I drove, but but it was a good looking number to start from. I estimate actual miles to be around 227,6xx.

My car is not going on the market, so spare me about legal issues. I did not subtract any and I would disclose to a potential buyer the fact that it is off a little.

BTW, to get the speedo fixed from a shop, you are looking at about $100+ dollars and any shipping. Cost me $29.00 .

Dave

[dickepoohp]

I did the same repair (and encountered same odd texture of odo gear...removed by rubbing between thumb and forefinger!)
I managed to complete odo repair, BUT just as I was ready to replace, I inadvertantly tugged on guage face...which popped off the pointer...best price I have found for THAT repair is $204!

[Thrlls]

I too, just completed that DIY and removed the needle very carefully and was able to change out the gear rather quickly. Of course the most difficult part was opening up the can, but once that was done the rest was downhill. I did manage to break a little white plastic piece near the reset button area, but it doesn't seem to have any effect not being in there. Everything works just fine...I reset as I drive and no problem!

The first pic shows the broken gear.
2nd pic is a pin that needs to be removed first to get the gears out.
3rd pic shows the base of the needle where I place a small screw driver and applied a little pressure while pulling up with my fingers as shown in the 4th pic.

If anyone needs more pics I have a bunch of them, just let me know what area of this process you need to see, and I'll check if I have one.

[Gunter]

So, you might save $60-70 by ordering the gear and DIY but...............
Considering the work/risks involved, DIY is not worth it.
The risk is breaking the needle/pointer and/or screwing up the calibration.
To re-crimp the trim ring cleanly requires a special gadget; if you DIY, it'll look like it was done with a can opener.
Besides, a shop like NHS will calibrate and guaranty the work for a year.

[Thrlls]

Originally Posted by Gunter

So, you might save $60-70 by ordering the gear and DIY but...............
Considering the work/risks involved, DIY is not worth it.
The risk is breaking the needle/pointer and/or screwing up the calibration.
To re-crimp the trim ring cleanly requires a special gadget; if you DIY, it'll look like it was done with a can opener.
Besides, a shop like NHS will calibrate and guaranty the work for a year.

IMHO:
For some it may be better NOT to DIY, because you could screw things up just changing the oil or inflating a tire. There are risks involved in just about everything you do.
However, for others it is much more than just saving money, it's an opportunity to learn more about your car and helping others. Hence this forum is aptly named; Porsche 911 Technical Forum, where people share their DIY experiences, and ask questions to learn how to do their own repairs and know their Porsche better.

I'm not saying taking your car to a shop should not be done, because I would if I felt I couldn't do the work, or my questions cannot/are not answered.

[slodave]

Agreed. If you can fix it, go for it. If you break it, it becomes an expensive lesson.

Dave

[Gunter]

Having done several rebuilds including building a SS 3.2, and complete brake jobs, suspension jobs and all kinds of DIY on several Porsches, I am all in favor of doing the work.
There are times when you work against yourself by trying to save some money and ending up with a lousy job.
Looking at a speedo with bad crimping on the trim ring is one of those times because it's right on the dash and you'll see it all day long.
By all means, DIY.

[Thrlls]

Originally Posted by Gunter

Having done several rebuilds including building a SS 3.2, and complete brake jobs, suspension jobs and all kinds of DIY on several Porsches, I am all in favor of doing the work.
There are times when you work against yourself by trying to save some money and ending up with a lousy job.
Looking at a speedo with bad crimping on the trim ring is one of those times because it's right on the dash and you'll see it all day long.
By all means, DIY.

Now for me, I know I would not be able to do a rebuild...yet, hence I'm attending the BA school. I know what you mean about the bad crimping, but in this case you do not see it and it's not really all that bad either.
Heres a pic with it installed and running...no sign of crimping.

[caliber60]

I just did my for $150 at Speedo 55 in Whittier, Los Angeles. I found the most difficult part is to open up the can and put it back in original shape. The speedometer can back working fine. It's warrantied for 6 months.

[Thrlls]

Originally Posted by caliber60

I just did my for $150 at Speedo 55 in Whittier, Los Angeles. I found the most difficult part is to open up the can and put it back in original shape. The speedometer can back working fine. It's warrantied for 6 months.

WOW!
You had to open the can for them, and then send it?

[Lorenfb]

"So, you might save $60-70 by ordering the gear and DIY but...............
Considering the work/risks involved, DIY is not worth it.
The risk is breaking the needle/pointer and/or screwing up the calibration.
To re-crimp the trim ring cleanly requires a special gadget; if you DIY, it'll look like it was done with a can opener. "

That's it! But some never learn.

"Besides, a shop like NHS will calibrate and guaranty the work for a year."

How about Pelican Parts? They provide this service TOO!

[dshepp806]

Yep,..Loren's right,..what about PP?? I'm considering giving them a go once I find out what all they do on the rework...will call 'em today.

Kinda with you,...go for it...live and learn....

Best,

[Gunter]

Good point about PP.
Haven't seen much feedback about PP re: repairs, most often NHS is mentioned in the the threads.
Is there a way on this site to show what services like speedo-repair etc. PP can do?
This comes back when searching for speedo repair:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We're sorry, there were no matches for speedo repair. Please try searching again.

[Lorenfb]

"We're sorry, there were no matches for speedo repair. Please try searching again."

Some/many forget that Pelican Parts still uses the telephone, i.e. that thing that some/many
supplant with many emails that one phone call could resolve.

[Jeff Hail]

Dave rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!