Speedometer / Odometer

[donagain1]

Has anyone in Northern California, particularly in the Sacramento area, ever utilized the services of Commercial Speedometer in West Sacramento? I was looking for a local alternative to packaging/shipping the unit to North Hollywood, who quoted me approximately $185/195 plus return shipping for the odometer repair (speedo works, odo not so much). The outfit in West Sacramento quoted $235 for the job, drop off one day, pick up the next. I have an affinity for using local shops where there's no chance of UPS/Fedex fumbling the football, and the cost difference is nominal considering the one day turnaround, so what remains to be determined is if anyone has had a less than acceptable experience with them.

As a DIYer, I considered trying to dismantle the thing myself and following the procedure for cracking open the bezel and replacing the gear with one from our host myself, but shake-y hands and a delicate needle are putting daunting thoughts in my head, not to mention leaving scratchy evidence of prying the thing open to conceivably roll the numbers back should I decide to sell the car. So, the second question would be if the job is all that tough?

[Trackrash]

I've done this a couple of times myself. It is a very fiddly job. Akin to watch repair IMO?

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

We generally advise against doing this yourself, exactly for the reason that you mentioned; VERY delicate needle and very expensive to replace if needing a new one. Only take on this fix if you're a very comfortable DIYer and follow a guide of someone who's tackled this before. Best of luck!

[Brian Fuller]

I used Commercial Speedometer for the same reason. I'm in Folsom and didn't want to risk damage when shipping. I called a couple of local classic shops (Frank's) and they recommended Commercial Speedometer. My speedo nylon gears were toast. I could not reset the odometer. They did a great job. Nice clean mom and pop shop. Had my speedo back in a week.

[donagain1]

Thanks everyone! Brian, you are absofreakinlutely correct... clean shop, nicest people on the planet, and they keep their word. I dropped mine off yesterday (7//11) and she called this morning to say it was ready to pick up... out the door it was $224 and change. The thing was cleaned up as though it were new.

I don't know whether they do a mail-in trade or not, but it's worth a phone call if you're not in the Sacramento area. Commercial Speedometer in West Sacramento... good people, good work.

[Time Collector]

Interesting , I live in the Sacramento area and I was looking for a local shop as well for all the same reasons. I was going with Palo Alto Speedometer, but decided to give it a try after reading some of the other threads on here. It was actually very easy to do, as long as you follow the instructions and take your time with removing the needle.

[wayne robson]

Yes, sorry a bit late to reply , but they did the same for a 73 Mercedes 450 SL i owned
there, a great job , would recommend any time.