The needle (pointer) on my speedometer broke due to some vibration in the unit. I've fixed the vibration, but need to repair the needle. I have two questions: 1) How do I remove the (rest) of the needle? Is it just press fit on the stem? 2) How do I repair the needle? The long end broke off just near the center hub Thoughts?
Yes, press fit. Always makes me very nervous when removing them, but it's just a pull straight out. As for repairing the broken part, soldering might be the best bet, but try to keep the weight of the solder to a minimum, as any deviation from the original weight should actually require a recalibration.
I know that's a nice shaped needle (so it would be nice to save it) but would one from another speedo word? same shaft dia?
****, I can't see whats broke? thoughts any ways..Maybe can stick it together with tape from back side or front side if you do get needle off..little dab of epoxy would fix, wouldn't take much..
Try a "wanted" ad on fordbarn.com for the needle and maybe use their advanced search in the archives of the "for sale" section. I think I can remember seeing something there. Also try posting your question there. I think they were probably the same '32 p***enger and '32-'34 truck but you should check. Also there were several manufacturers that might not interchange. Charlie Stephens
Thanks for the replies, guys! alchemy, I tried to pull it off, but it wasn't moving. I'll try again. Seb, the picture doesn't show what's broken, that was before it broke. I'm going to call allfordparts as well. They're near me, and they might have an old broken speedo around that I can take a needle from. If not that, I think I may try to laser weld it. Got a laser welder at work that welds VERY fine parts, and I should be able to do a **** weld without any filler. Then I can sand off any rough spots and touch up the paint.
OK. I got the rest of the needle off with minimal damage. Taking it to work tomorrow to see if I can weld it.
Well, I got it welded back together. I tried several settings with some aluminum can s****s to get the weld spots to work well, then started on the parts. I had first thought to fixture the two parts, but during practice, I found that I needed to apply a bit of pressure between the two since I'm not using a filler rod. Can't see really well from the pic here, but the weld is pretty good. Now I just need to smooth it out and paint it...
How you do that? That's some machine. Ya got pics of the welder? What kind of work do you do with a laser welder?
If it brakes again or is too far off calibration, a friend of mine has a couple of 32 pointers NOS. Determine the manufacturer of the speedo and send me a PM.
I don't have any pictures of the welder. It's a Sisma laser welding system. We use lots of laser welders to manufacture medical devices. This one is a manual machine in the lab that we use for prototyping. I hope to get it cleaned up and re-painted this weekend so I can get the speedometer back in the truck. I'm also trying to figure out how to fix the odometer. It's not adding miles. More on that later...
So I got it painted and ready to go. The vibration that broke it was coming from the head unit. I spun it with a drill to figure that out. Dis***embled the whole thing, cleaned it up, lubed it, and re***embled. The vibration is gone now and it looks great! The needle was sort of off-white. Not sure if it was faded or if that's what it's supposed to be. I had some white appliance paint that holds up pretty good, so I used that.
I also found out why the odo wasn't working. One of the shafts was slipping on the gear. I re-crimped that and it seems to work...not that I really give a **** if my odometer works, but I like things to work...
I've noticed that most cars this age have lost the green plastic film on the gauges. I was really careful not to screw mine up.
I am all so looking for a pointer for mine. if u can help please see my post in the wanted ad under speed-o. thanks
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