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Mon Jan 23, 2012 10:48 pm

My instrument cluster was filthy, so I opened it up to clean. Somewhere along the way dumbass :oops: broke the speedo needle. So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to repair it and am wondering if changing the weight/balance will have any ill effect?

I was thinking that I'd glue a short splint (paper clip?) to the "stump", let that dry, then glue the needle back on to the stump/splint, wrapping it with tape while it sets [no doubt crooked]. But, I'm hoping somebody here has a better, cleaner, less ghetto idea.

Thanks!

Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:31 pm

chimivee wrote: My instrument cluster was filthy, so I opened it up to clean. Somewhere along the way dumbass :oops: broke the speedo needle. So, I'm trying to figure out the best way to repair it and am wondering if changing the weight/balance will have any ill effect?

I was thinking that I'd glue a short splint (paper clip?) to the "stump", let that dry, then glue the needle back on to the stump/splint, wrapping it with tape while it sets [no doubt crooked]. But, I'm hoping somebody here has a better, cleaner, less ghetto idea.

Thanks!
James, I am thinking getting a used needle/speedo pod :idea: I have a few leads up here. Let me make a couple calls for you. Just get a used one and get it sorta right the second time :wink:

Your time spent making a silks purse out of a sows ear is commendable, yet, seemingly unnecessary :o

118,440....she is just a youngin'

Mon Jan 23, 2012 11:49 pm

carterzest wrote: Your time spent making a silks purse out of a sows ear is commendable, yet, seemingly unnecessary :o
Thanks, Jeff. You are probably right. I was considering replacing, but after a quick peak in the classifieds, most of the speedos don't seem to match mine. I guess I should mention that this is for my 86 Syncro Westy. Or do you mean just swap the needle? Are the Syncro speedos any different? I really know nothing about these little gizmos.

carterzest wrote: 118,440....she is just a youngin'
Indeed.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:00 am

Quote: Are the Syncro speedos any different? I really know nothing about these little gizmos
Yes they are.
A 2wd speedo has 805 under the MPH on the face while a speedo has 1600 in it's place. The speedo cable on a syncro spins almost twice as fast because it is driven by the front diff not the wheel like a 2wd.

The needle has a raised edge on the bottom making gluing something under it for support difficult at best. Now you can swapped in a pimpy speedo face if you want since the broken needle has to come off for replacement anyways.

Both GW and VC can rebuild your speedo but there is a core charge for the needle.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:49 am

A drop of Super Glue should do the trick. If you want to reinforce it you can use a single strand from a piece of copper wire. That shouldn't change the balance in any significant way. Remove the needle from the post and do it on a flat surface.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:21 am

I think I have an extra layin around if you'd like it.......
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=399130&highlight=speedo+needle

Tue Jan 24, 2012 9:19 am

I probably have one too. Send me a pmail if interested and I will mail it out.
Paul.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:42 am

THANKS! I'll PM those that offered their spare parts.

So, how does the needle come off? In looking at the thread SteveVanB linked too, it looks like it just pulls straight off?

In the meantime, I'll try the superglue method - that seems a lot easier/more effective than my kludgy way.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 11:52 am

chimivee wrote: In the meantime, I'll try the superglue method - that seems a lot easier/more effective than my kludgy way.

My Home Depot has a super glue with a plastic primer that works really good! I used this to glue a leaking gas tank on my dirt bike and it held up great.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 1:08 pm

Yes, the needle pulls straight up and off. But it can be tight. I used a plastic camping fork to pry it off. Other's have suggested 2 teaspoons, on either side to pry.

I've noted 2 shaft diameters on speedos. Early speedo I have has a slimmer pinion than my '86 syncro, fwiw.

I've also tried an aftermarket lexan needle. I can't recall the URL for the supplier, but it did fit on the '86 speedo. You can make it out on this pic where I was dicking around with reflectors in the guage lights to improve beam cast.

alistair

Tue Jan 24, 2012 2:00 pm

Just glue it back together. Cut a plastic milk carton into a thin strip to match the back of the needle. Only needs to be 1/2 long. Rough it up with sandpaper before cutting to make the glue sticks. If you want to get fancy go to a hobby store that sells small carbon fiber flat or round stock. Basic model airplane skills. Any time you add carbon fiber to your van it goes faster.

Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:43 pm

ragnarhairybreeks wrote: Yes, the needle pulls straight up and off. But it can be tight. I used a plastic camping fork to pry it off. Other's have suggested 2 teaspoons, on either side to pry.

I've noted 2 shaft diameters on speedos. Early speedo I have has a slimmer pinion than my '86 syncro, fwiw.
Thanks for that.

:idea: Hmmm... I am remembering now that I may have a spare gauge cluster stashed somewhere in the dark recesses of my garage. I recall it being from an older van with analog clock... But it's worth checking to see if I have and if the needle fits.

Will report back. Thanks again everybody!

Wed Jan 25, 2012 11:41 am

Just so you have something to worry about, on my Syncro, I broke the shaft that the needle goes on. I was doing odometer repair, drifting the gear shaft back into the metal gear and something slipped.... broken shaft. I'm using a speedo from a 16v Golf GTi in the meantime.

Fri Jan 18, 2013 11:10 pm

Had the same exact needle breakage during our recent 0 F cold snap-suspect binding speedo cable caused needle to rapidly peg needle and it snapped.

I have an 85 Westy Wolfsburg with clock, not tach.

Eyeballing my A2 GTI speedo, looks like the needle is very similar, at least externally-don't know about the shaft. Does anybody know if an A2 Golf needle will interchange with 85-up 2WD Vanagon speedometers?

Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:28 am

About 20 years ago I broke mine on my 85 westy. I took one of those plastic tooth pics, cut it and filed it to a similar shape, super glued it on and it worked great.

Sat Jan 19, 2013 3:55 pm

prying didn't work for me, I had to clamp the shaft with a hemostat and twist off the needle. I was prying with a metal fork.

how about making your own speed pointer like a Micky Mouse hand ? that would be fun. :)

Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:28 am

I glued mine with Gorilla super glue over a year ago and have had no problems as of yet.

Mon Jan 21, 2013 3:21 pm

I see this thread was bumped recently and that I never followed up on the outcome.

A fellow Samba member was kind enough to send me a spare needle for free. But while I waited for it, I figure I'd give super glue a try. I guess it's been a year now and the glued needle is holding up fine.

Mon Jan 21, 2013 4:46 pm

Another option, although not DIY is to send for a new one from one othe the usual vendors. I know VC has them for $35, not cheap, but....

I was switching my 1984 cluster to that of an 88 and busted the needle on my 84 trying to get it off. It would NOT budge. I did notice that the earlier and later styles are different. I ended up sending my 88 speedo in to have VC align the trip odometer and reset the miles to reflect my actual 84 mileage, they said they could replace the needles for $35.

Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:04 pm

A follow-up for those interested in possible needle replacement solutions:

My local speedometer shop told me VDO no longer sells replacement needles.

However, an A2 Golf speedometer needle seems to be a direct interchange for the '85 Vanagon needle. I bought a broken Golf speedo from the classifieds, and the needle fits tightly on the shaft of my 2WD speedometer. Only differences are the central plastic hub diameter is a bit smaller on the Golf needle, and the Vanagon needle appears to have small metal BBs/counterweights imbedded in the backside of the plastic hub whereas the Golf does not.

I'll re-install and check the accuracy with my GPS this weekend.

Connor