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rebuilding a speedometer

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by cabz, Apr 7, 2013.

  1. Apr 7, 2013
    cabz

    cabz Member

    Ocala FL
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    Sep 18, 2010
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    has anyone rebuilt or at least torn there speedo apart? the one in my 66 has a locked up speedo and the gauges do not work. i realy dont like the new style replacements so i was thinking a\bout at least pulling the one i have apart and tring to make it work.
    any guide or details would be awesome.
     
  2. Apr 7, 2013
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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  3. Apr 7, 2013
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Depends on the problem. I've opened up old speedos and cleaned out the crud. But if it needs recalibrating of the spring or degaussng the disc that's a different matter.

    I've not done a jeep unit, but there are specialists who can rebuild any speedo. I found one in Hemmings Motor News who did a great job on my '34 Ford speedo.

    Of course another option is find a good used or NOS unit, perhaps on ebay, or on this site.
     
  4. Apr 7, 2013
    58_WILLYS

    58_WILLYS New Member

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    I've taken apart and rebuilt the speedo in my '58. You might find that it may just need a little oiling before it starts working again. There's a brass plug on the side of the geared section...remove that and put a couple of drops of 3'n1 in there and see if that doesn't help. I even set the mileage back to all zeros on mine but it was kind of a time consuming operation...something I did while watching TV. You can find the water temp and fuel gauges on eBay from time to time.
     
  5. Apr 7, 2013
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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    966
    I attempted to take apart my original that came with my jeep (says 0-9) and it was really easy to disassemble but unfortunately mine wasn't able to live again. Since then I bought a NOS unit off ebay for like 175 dollars and its worked really well ever since.
     
  6. Apr 9, 2013
    NExOBLIVISCARIS

    NExOBLIVISCARIS New Member

    San Dimas California
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    was it from someone called blue moon scooter or something? cause if so i bought one to hahaha
     
  7. Apr 9, 2013
    WorkInProgress

    WorkInProgress Member

    Kennewick, Wa
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    Yep, I did in fact buy it from bluemoonscooter off ebay and it was shipped from Vietnam I believe. My first one I bought from him even after I lubed it before install seized after about 5 miles. He was kind enough to send me another NOS guts setup minus the casing and glass. Ive since put 2,600 miles one it and its going strong with almost zero bounce with a new cable well lubed with a graphite based "grease"
     
  8. Jul 12, 2018
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    Bumping this old thread in case anyone has any new info (and the thread above is dead) - has anyone uncovered any resources for schematics or parts to fix these old speedometers? Mine is out of a 1966 CJ5 Tux IV. It was given to be by the PO in a box and I was told that the one on the dash was new and from Kaiser Willys...so I'm not even sure what doesn't work on the OEM one.
    Photo Jul 09, 7 31 11 PM.jpg
     
  9. Jul 12, 2018
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    if it's the spedo/odometer functions 90% of the problems with these things are dried grease- they're gust a gearset driven by a spinning magnet. If the grease prevents the magnet from spinning or the gears from turning then they don't work. I've fixed them with liberal amount of WD40 and a little wiggling of the input followed up by some light weight grease to keep things moving. Anything more involved than that & it should go to a speedometer rebuilding specialist.

    If the gauges your best bet is to source NOS pieces on ebay.
     
  10. Jul 12, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    At truckee4x4...Take it apart and try yourself for the heck of it...Nothing to lose. I took mine apart and basically gave it an overhaul.
     
  11. Jul 12, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Mechanical speedometers are quite delicate, like the movement of a watch. They have jewels that the the indicator needle swings on. The spiral spring is like the spring on the balance wheel of a watch - also very delicate. They work by generating eddy currents from the magnets on the needle arm. The aluminum cup spins and the currents from the magnets generate a torque on the needle axis, resisted by the spring. A very delicate balance. If you take it apart to clean it, be very careful you don't bend any of the parts, or stretch the spring.
     
  12. Jul 12, 2018
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    Awesome advice guys thank you. What about the temp and fuel gauge components - anyone ever replace those if they are shorted out and unresponsive?
     
  13. Jul 12, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Yes, I did, I calibrated my fuel gauge plus more. Look here under electrical to get started - http://earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?pages/Tech-Index
     
    truckee4x4 likes this.
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