Date: Sun, 25 Feb 2001 23:55:48 -0800
Reply-To: Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Subject: Re: Odometer Repair-Migrating Shaft
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=koi8-r
Hello Thomas,
I got an old speedometer that is shut but gear mechanism is ok. Looking at
it i noted that
it is the red plastic gear that drives white plastic double gear and the
other end of it, worm gear side drives the speedo counter pinion
gear(beige).
From your description it appears that(also noted by other listees) odometer
shaft lost its tapered bushing type end part that retains it and now allows
it to move enough to disengage the beige gear.
Here is what i would do.Measure the diameter of the shaft as precisely as i
can.Find a small piece of alum. rod ab.3/16" dia.Drill a hole (slightly
smaller dia thanshaft dia) thru the center of it (the best i could) no more
than 1/4 deep. Cut the drilled end off ab. 1/8-3/16 long.
Push this little bushing on the end of the shaft with cut side facing out.
Back the shaft up at the other metal end (not the plastic gear). It would
help to put a drop of loctite inside that little bushing. I know parts are
very small and it is delicate work but it can be done with enough patience.
Hope it helps,
Good luck
Leon
85 Subwagen Westy
Torrance
"Thomas D. Hanlon" wrote:
> 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
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