How do I take Speedometer out, apart?

[propguy]

OK,
So I got my speedo apart- Thanks Andy for the step by step. Unfortunately I scratched the face. I am pretty sure that there isn't any way to fix that nicely. Any thoughts?
Thanks

['69Custom]

Thank you for that unintentional slap in the face, Andy. Of course, I didn't think that there's no direct connection between the odometer and speedometer, so just forget my lapse in intelligence there. I should've spent less time staring at face plates and more thinking about the mechanics of it all.

I'm still just a bit confused in general though how and why the only place speeds match up between the two is at the 90mph mark... Maybe it's beyond me to understand how any variation in spring tension or variation in the magnet can have the effect where from 0-89mph there is no commonality.
_________________
-Tim

1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well. 

[glutamodo]

The odometer is a direct count of rotations of the speedometer cable. The W0.80 is a description of that gear ratio. This implies a certain diameter tire of course, in order for that ratio to be valid. But no matter what, it's directly coupled, a physical counter

The speedometer is not directly coupled at all. It's a magnet and a cup that do not touch each other. Of course, tire size matters here too, but since nothing touches, it does not "count up" in any way - the tension of the spring around the needle determines how resistant the needle is to the motion of the speedometer cable.

You can have a speedometer that the needle position has been changed, the spring has been messed with, or a spring that has "gone flat" over time, or has developed some other extra resistance to rotation, that will read off. If the bushings around the magnetic cup wear and there is a bit of wobble, then the magnet and cup can get too close and then your speed may vary, bounce or just read higher than it should. But through all of those scenarios, the odometer will still plug away, still counting actual rotations of the cable. (assuming the gears are in good shape)

I assume that on those different year speedometers you are comparing they have slightly different amounts of tension applied by the "brake" spring, as VW called it.

Now, you can use that W (or faceplate) number to "calculate" the tire diameter the odometer is keyed to. However, that calculated diameter is still a little lower than the actual tire diameter needed for it to be accurate. I drew this up a couple of years ago:

['69Custom]

[reded68]

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=549955&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Just in case anyone is interested, this is me restoring my 68 speedo a couple of weeks ago
_________________
__________
1968 Beetle "Ed" - 1776cc's of awesomeness

[glutamodo]

The W0.80 refers to the odometer gearing...

['69Custom]

An observation regarding calibration:

Early and late model speedometers with the W0.80 calibration mark are comparable, but I noted that the MPH numbers are not in the same locations on the face between early and late models. I find that odd.
_________________
-Tim

1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well. 

['69Custom]

[thomas.]

The guy that invented the fork idea goes by johnshenry on TheSamba site here.He knows his stuff.I was looking for the thread on how he uses the fork tool but gave up .So you had some luck with getting the needle off ?

['69Custom]

Ok, mission accomplished, but I'm still going to make some bushing tools for next time.

There's always a next time.
_________________
-Tim

1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well. 

['69Custom]

That looks doable and easy to make. I might need to run over to a local thrift store to pick up a couple spoons and a fork to play with.

I wonder how the fork maintains its shape. Silverware is pretty easy to bend and I can't see it holding that form while using it to pry the bushing off. Since I don't have much for options left, I'll happily give it a try.

Thanks!
_________________
-Tim

1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well. 

[thomas.]

This fork tool supposedly works good .Its from a thread on that subject on this site but I can't find it.I think you lay the wood piece over the diameter face of the speedometer for leverage then yank the needle out with the fork.

['69Custom]

[glutamodo]

Those pencil torches can put out a pretty tiny flame, but yeah I see your concern.

['69Custom]

[glutamodo]

I think it was Bill May that says he likes to use a couple of spoons as levers...

Maybe one of those cheap butane pencil torches for a better heat source on it.

['69Custom]

Complication:

I'm having issues removing the brass spline bushing for the needle. I tried the traditional method with diagonal pliers, I've tried pulling it straight with slip joint pliers, I've soaked both ends of the bushing for days in penetrating oil, tried holding the shaft stationary while twisting the bushing free, and I've applied heat to it via soldering iron.

It doesn't want to come off, for the love of God!!!!

Aside from ice, which will be my next probable attempt, anyone have another suggestion?
_________________
-Tim

1969 Frankenbug
1965 Ford Mustang
:2gunfire: F-U-M-P!
~"I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken." ~The Boss
Please excuse any typos as my iPhone doesn't speak English very well. 

[dschup]

Just do this, sword drink stirrer from walmart, 97 cents for a pack of twenty.

[skapunkfoo]

stirring up an old thread I know. Thanks to this I just re-set my speedo to 00001, thanks.

But before I even took it apart the needle broke. I also discovered that it was broken and glued once before. Its in three pieces now and I need a new needle. No ones selling them on here or on craigslist. Anyone want to sell me one or know of someone who does. I may even stop by a scrap yard this weekend to see if I can get one but if not, who here has one?

[Brassneck]

A quick update and a Thank YOU to this group/thread...

I picked up a spare speedo yesterday from a member on Samba! So great to have local contacts... With it, I was able to get the gist of how the bulbs, etc. come out, and while the spare speedo didn't look too good (some water/rust stains inside the glass, on the white ring, etc)... It looked to be in decent working order.

So using it as practice, (And with the solid advice on this thread...and a little patience)... I was able to get the bezel off and the speedo apart. I cleaned up the glass, outer ring, and the white ring so it looked pretty good. I had decided once it looked half-way decent to simply use it to replace my current speedo (That's been jammed and no longer works). Plugged in the lights, and presto...everything works perfect!

Next up was to take my current (jammed up) speedo...and now having practiced once before... I was able to do this process a lot easier... off with the bezel, cleaned up the glass, and got to see what was causing my "jammed gears". Turns out, they weren't cracked or broken...just gummed up stiff. A little liquid wrench got them freed, added some white Lithium in select spots... and re-assembled the unit. Now it works like a charm!

An interesting note on removing the unit from the car... I didn't realize I needed to drop the steering column to get the speedo out as I needed about an inch more clearance than I had with the column in...but fortunately this was very easy to do.

Thanks for everyone's help, and Happy Holidays!