This can't be right

Guest1287 · Guest1287's Garage

I'm trying to change out the broken gear in the odometer and I got the gauge out of the cluster. Now I'm told from Clarks garage that I have to "Remove the bezel from the front of the speedometer by prying up on the bezel's back lip with a small flat tip screwdriver. Work around the circumference of the lip until the bezel is free from the unit. "

So basically have to destroy the the bezel to get it out of the housing unit. Once it is bent out of shape it seems it with not be able hold it in place ever again.

So WTF*%K!

Slam · 10-12-2010, 09:48 AM

Yes and no. You will deform it, but you should be able to bend it back over the mounting flange when you're done by working your way around it. The downside is it'll never look stock.

Guest1287 · Guest1287's Garage

WOW, that just seems like some really bad design flaw. So if I brought it to a mechanic, he would do the same?

Slam · 10-12-2010, 09:56 AM

Pretty much. The black metal ring is put on originally by a machine kinda like a can opener that seals cans instead of opening them, if you get my drift. I don't know if I'd call it a flaw, considering anyone buying a car can pop out the gauge and see right away if it's been messed with.

looneybin · 10-12-2010, 09:57 AM

i think they mean the "needle" not the bezel.
You have to pry the needle off to be able to unscrew the bezel, then it just lifts off to expose the gauge internals

OH - MY BAD i just noticed it's an early dash - ignore me - sorry

Guest1287 · Guest1287's Garage

"I don't know if I'd call it a flaw, considering anyone buying a car can pop out the gauge and see right away if it's been messed with."

That is an excellent point. I finally got it off with minimum damage. It actually didn't need a new gear, it just needed to be aligned with other gear below it.

It was almost impossible to get the speedometer cable attached to the gauge. But the odometer works again and the cluster looks just like it did before.

krystar · 10-12-2010, 03:13 PM

umm...did u seal it up yet? are u talking about the final odometer gear to worm gear align? cause if it popped out of alignment once, it'll pop out again. u might need to notch the gear or something on its spindle so it does't move.

mine popped out again this season. i'm still procrastinating opening that up again

175mph951 · 10-12-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WallyD

"I don't know if I'd call it a flaw, considering anyone buying a car can pop out the gauge and see right away if it's been messed with."

That is an excellent point. I finally got it off with minimum damage. It actually didn't need a new gear, it just needed to be aligned with other gear below it.

It was almost impossible to get the speedometer cable attached to the gauge. But the odometer works again and the cluster looks just like it did before.

early 944's very rarely break the gear like the later cars...but this problem will happen again if you dont use a dab of crazy glue to hold it in place

ernie9944 · ernie9944's Garage

I did a flat faces mod two years ago on my 83- 944 ,you got to be an angel from heaven to take then bezels out without destroying them,took me two days to complete the job lol never never will I do it again.