Speedometer repair

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MUADIB®

What actually falied in them?

I can usually fix the mechanical problems, but I can't do anything about the cosmetics.

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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The original developed some erratic behaviour of the speedometer needle. At low speeds (stop-and-go traffic) it would surge between 0 and ~40 mph. At moderate vehicle speeds (40 to 55) it seemed stable and reasonable. Starting around 60 mph, the needle would soar erratically up to 80 and back down. The odometer worked fine and I have that unit in a box as a future parts donor.

The one in the car now I got from a Samba ad. It's been fine for about a year. No funny noises or odd behaviour. Sunday the speedometer and odometer both stopped working. Like a broken cable. But whem I unhooked the cable from the speedo and pulled on the cable, it was still secure.

And it turns out the speedometer may still be OK after all. Last night I had the front of the car up (brake adjustment and snow tire removal) and gave the tire a spin. Turns out the cable is not turning with the dust cap. It's still there, cotter pin in place. Just doesn't turn.

It remains to be seen if the speedo is OK. The fit of old cable and dust cap is screwed up for SOME reason. I brought home a new cable and will go out and take a closer look after dinner. Assuming the speedo will still turn I may be able to just weld up the hole in the dust cap and remake the square hole with a drill and tiny file.

Max

Make sure the cable spins completely freely while on its own.

Note that it actually needs to be "adjusted" after everything is installed. With everything in place and tight, reach under the car and pull the cable housing toward the center of the car, sliding it as far out of the steering knuckle as it will go. Then push it in as far as it will go. Finally, put it midway between these two positions.

Those holes wear for some reason. You can usually just place the cap over a large punch clamped vertically upwards in a vice, then tap the cap with a hammer to work metal back where it came from. It doesn't take much to make this fit nicely again.

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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Can you repair the odometer in a 73 Squareback? If so I wish I'd known you when I was in WI. Actually, I wish I'd known you when I was in Madison regardless - particularly since you probably could have warned me not to allow MOFOCO to kill my car :(

Sure can. No problem

Sorry about that. Live and learn....

----------------------------------------------- Jim Adney snipped-for-privacy@vwtype3.org Madison, WI 53711 USA

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