| Author | Message | ||
     Alan H Olden Experienced User Username: alan_olden Post Number: 11 Registered: 5-2009 |
Hi Everyone I have just noticed that over the past month my Odometer has ceased operation at just under 127k. The Speedo operates properly and I wonder if anyone has seen and/or corrected this problem previously. Car is RR S/Spirit 1981. I read somewhere in some of the RROCA archives that there is ‘a little brown gear that usually fails’? Or maybe something has become disconnected? I assume though there is one feed from the Transmission to this instrument in the SZ cars? I am not sure if this is the source of the problem. Before I start pulling the dash down, any suggestions would be most appreciated. Many thanks | ||
| Neville Davies Experienced User Username: nev_davies Post Number: 28 Registered: 9-2006 |
Alan This appears to be a fairly common problem.My 86 Bentley developed the same last winter.It seems it is caused by a little nylon gear failing.Introcar list these though I don't know if there are variations with chassis numbers. Nev | ||
| Laurie Fox Frequent User Username: laurie_fox Post Number: 89 Registered: 6-2004 |
If the odometer drum is similar to that on the MK VI then there is a post in http://www.lauriefox7a.me.uk/bdcl/viewtopic.php?t=2464 which might help. Laurie | ||
| Omar M. Shams Prolific User Username: omar Post Number: 198 Registered: 4-2009 |
A very common problem indeed. The brown wheel in the speedo is the culprit. I have changed at least 5 of these to date. I would be keen to know where to get the gear from as i have made them on every occsion and they take ages to make from scratch.  | ||
| Brian Vogel Experienced User Username: guyslp Post Number: 22 Registered: 6-2009 |
If you know the details on the gear (unfortunately, gear terminology other than number of teeth are something I don't know anything about) be sure to check out the gears at smallparts.com. They have a very large selection and I can't imagine that this isn't some dirt common gear. | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 785 Registered: 6-2006 |
As Nev says, the gears are available but expensive unfortunately. The other problem is that the front glass bezel is a rolled over type that is difficult to remove and even harder to get back on tidily. It's probably worthwhile to check it's indicated speed against a sat nav and if it's too far out, having the unit repaired and re-calibrated at the same time. It will also get a new bezel fitted so it will look un-tampered with. | ||
| Chris Browne Frequent User Username: chrisb Post Number: 55 Registered: 2-2010 |
Hi all, The odomoeter has failed on my Shadow 2 recently. If Omar has replaced five of these little gears, perhaps he could share with us how he removed and replaced the rolled edge glass bezel? That is all that is stopping me having a go at it as I don't want to damage the bezel. Kind regards, Chris | ||
| Omar M. Shams Prolific User Username: omar Post Number: 200 Registered: 4-2009 |
Dear Chris, The bezel is not really designed to be removed and then put back. It is a single life item. Here are your choices: 1 Replace with a new bezel that you can buy from instrument restoration specialists. 2 cut the bezel at 90 degrees to the glass and then resolder. 3 Gently prise the lip around the bezel where it meets the speedo case until you get enough leverage underneath to prise the bezel off. Be careful as everything is delicate. When you put everything back together it will not look beautiful but it will work. Also, you will not be able to see the back of the speedo after it is installed. Next time a low mileage Shadow/Spirit car comes your way, ask yourself how many miles it has run with the odometer not working. Good luck with it. Omar | ||
| Chris Browne Frequent User Username: chrisb Post Number: 56 Registered: 2-2010 |
Hello Omar, Thanks for the information. I think this is likely to be a winter job when the car is not used so much as I don't want to rush it and spoil the appearance of the speedo bezel. Kind regards, Chris | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 2410 Registered: 4-2003 |
Omar, I repaired one on a Bentley Eight a few years back. I thing that I bought the gears from Palo Alto Speedometer Inc http://www.paspeedo.com/vdo_odometer_gears.htm at the time. However, these sites list our cars too: http://s144451996.onlinehome.us/ http://www.speedometergears.com/ but the test will be whether they sell gears alone. I recall that the gears are colour coded, but the tooth count is all important of course. Jaeger and VDO are both Siemens companies, but I don't know whether they share designe.. RT. | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 2412 Registered: 4-2003 |
I looked up the receipt from 2004. I went to http://www.southernspeedometer.com/ Their own-brand gears cost me $22.50. The genuine VDO gears from the same company were offered for for $125 Unfortunately the receipt gives no part number, just "Rolls gears". RT. | ||
| Omar M. Shams Prolific User Username: omar Post Number: 202 Registered: 4-2009 |
Thanks for that valuable information Richard. When I bought my gears, I went to a TV and Video shop which had millions of plastic gears. I could not get one gear assembly that would replace the awful brown gear that wears out on our speedos. I had to get two separate gears that would have to be machined and then attached together to make one complete gear. I bought half a dozen or so of these gears at the time, so I still have some parts to make one or two more for the future. The luxury of simply going out to buy the correct gear is wonderful. Thanks again Omar | ||
| Alan H Olden Experienced User Username: alan_olden Post Number: 12 Registered: 5-2009 |
Thanks for the various ideas and suggestions. I have decided to take the advice and seek out an Instrument repair / re calibration specialist to have the work done. I have found one such specialist in Queensland and is apparently familiar with this sort of problem. Indicative price is about $125 -sounds promising. http://ottoinstruments.com.au/ Introcar did not have specific parts. Thanks AO | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 2414 Registered: 4-2003 |
Nice R-Type Continental dashboard on their home page ! |
