Date:         Sun, 25 Feb 2001 09:48:22 -0800
Reply-To:     "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran@EARTHINK.NET>
Subject:      Odometer Repair-Migrating Shaft
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Listees,

I've removed the speedometer from my 84 Westy to evaluate a non-working
odometer.  Upon removal of the unit from the case, I find that the shaft
on which is mounted the (beige) gear-which drives the odometer-shifts to
the left and disengages from the (white) gear which drives the (red)
worm gear.

The beige gear is not loose on the shaft, a condition/problem which I
expected to find and about which much has been written on solving by
roughing the shaft, or using "Super Glue," and other suggestions. There
is not evident any connector or fastener which I would presume retained
the shaft to the mechanism. I conjecture that a "c" clip of some kind
would have been used. Not there or in the bottom of the speedometer
casing.

For a "bench test," I  have used a modified shaft (a nail Dremeled to
the dimensions of the cable end) to perform the speedometer cables'
function to turn the gears.  I fastened the "shaft" to an electric drill
set at "reverse" to drive those gears which drive the road speed needle,
the odometer numbers and the mileage numbers.

The shaft migrates to the left (facing the frontispiece) enough to
disengage the odometer gears. The speed needle continues to operate but
the mileage numbers stall, too.

I've attempted to find 3m x 60 centimeter stainless rod, or even bolts,
with which to replace the shaft. No luck in any of the hardware stores
in my locale. Any sources or suggestions?

Can anyone offer diagnoses and solutions?

Tom Hanlon
Palm Springs, CA
84 Westy