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Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:19 pm

The speedometer lens on my 1973 beetle is cloudy and scratched. How do I replace it? Can't seem to find this part. Thought about getting a piece cut to fit.
Thanks in advance!

Thu Aug 14, 2008 4:09 pm

If you can get it off, you can polish out the fine scratches. Aluminum cleaner works great. Apply it like a wax, then buff it out.

Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:22 pm

And as far as removing the glass to try cleaning or replacing it, refer to this topic...

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=179776&start=10

Thu Aug 14, 2008 8:53 pm

I cut a piece of plexi-glass to replace the lens. I tried the polishing technique but it was just too bad of shape.

I bought a small piece of plexi-glass that was similar in thickness. Then traced out the old lens on the new glass. Then I used a coping saw (a fine tooth saw found at most hardware stores) to trim out the circle. I hand filed to clean up the edges and make to fit.

It is under the speedometer bezel, so unless you are a perfectionist it doesn't have to be that perfect.

Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:10 pm

Thanks for everyone's help.
Can I replace the lens without taking the speedo completely out?

Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:20 pm

Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:31 pm

cooneye wrote: Thanks for everyone's help.
Can I replace the lens without taking the speedo completely out?

The speedo is fairly easy to get out, just take a wide blade screw driver and pop it out.

Thu Sep 25, 2008 3:26 am

to easy to damage the bezel or ur dash like that
i always just reach up behind and push it out

Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:02 pm

I had replaced the plastic lens in my '71 with a clean glass lens from a '65. Looks great.

Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:10 pm

Thanks glutamodo for the link. It was very helpful. But I am still a little confused. Does the speedo pull out into the trunk or out toward steering wheel?
Thanks

Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:26 pm

On a 73-up Super it pushes into the passenger compartment. On regular Beetles and 71-72 Supers it comes out into the trunk.

Sun Sep 28, 2008 9:35 pm

On the Standards and 71-72 Supers, you remove it via these screws:

I've also seen them be Phillips head screws holding the speedometer down. My Baja has them in Phillips.

The Supers, I like to remove them with a couple of "hook" tools - from those multi-piece hook sets you can get, with different shaped awls and hooks. Get one on each side, like a hook and a right-angle, just something to grab the edge, and pull back.

-Andy

Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:04 pm

glutamodo wrote: The Supers, I like to remove them with a couple of "hook" tools - from those multi-piece hook sets you can get, with different shaped awls and hooks. Get one on each side, like a hook and a right-angle, just something to grab the edge, and pull back.

-Andy
Another way to pull it on a 73+ super is to disconnect the battery, remove the panel below the steering wheel, reach in and unscrew the speedo cable, then simply push it toward you into the car. When removing the panel, make sure you get all 5 screws...there's one in the middle under a round cap.