speedo failiure

[bigandy]

good evening my friends
my speedo and counters have just stopped
any suggestions are most welcome
from bigandy

[harvey]

Hi Andy.
First place to look at IMHO would be the angle drive on the gearbox.Once you've disconnected the cable there you can spin the inner cable to check that it and the head are working, then remove the angle drive and you'll probably find the end that goes to the gearbox has snapped off because the angle drive has seized.

[Phil Nottingham]

The angle drives are the weak link - they can seize but also break because of seized cabke or speedo head.

They are not always easy to get hold of when you need them either but not that rare

[harvey]

I always used to save them off breakers, and still have some if you need one Andy.

[Welsh Warlock]

Check the speedo head first - it is common to check the angle drive and find it broken and to replace it with another only for that to break - reason - seized speedo head.

[bigandy]

thanks and will check
andy

[Colin McA]

I had two angle drivers going on me.

I would def crawl underneath the car and undo it at the gearbox. if it is not obviously broken then disconnect the cable and rotate it (a battery drill may help). You will need a someone to see if the speedo works when you turn the cable. This is far less awkward than dropping the clocks and fiddling.

After the second one going I have the cable going directly into the gearbox and it works for me.


Colin

[Welsh Warlock]

With all due respect Colin, yer 'avin a lrf aren't yer?

to remove speedo head would take me 10 mins tops! It would take me that long to put me overalls on and jack the car up and secure on axle stands.

Removing the angle drive from above can be difficult if its been fastened up tightly never mind from below with limited space and no visibility.

[Colin McA]

Not at all.

When I checked the second one after it failed, I drove the car on to standard ramps and just stuck my arm up and got it off no problem. Though I had only fitted it a few weeks previously so knew it wasn't to tight. once your arm is up there I found plenty of space between the gearbox and the tunnel cover, do be careful with the hot exhaust pipe though. I find that my 5" vice-grip pliers help.

The problem I have with the speedo end is that although it is easy to remove the two screws and pull it off I always find it awkward with the steering wheel in the way. There is also the various wires that can get pulled off. Having large hands gives it the fiddly factor.

If the angle drive at the box has went like mine did twice then you need to go in form underneath eventually. like Harvey said you can check the angle drive and the cable as-well as the speedo if it does work when the cable is rotated. How would you check that the cable is working at the speedo? you would need to drive the car with clocks hanging down and look or feel the cable??

I would def lub the speedo head but would fault find from the gearbox first.

At least Andy has now heard a few options he can decide which he thinks is best.

Colin

[Welsh Warlock]

Ah but how easy was it to change the first? They are usually pretty tight.

If you have an angle drive break there is usually a reason for it so best to check the cable and head will turn.

I wrote an aticle that appeared in Take Five back in 2000 and have e-mailed it to Andy.

[bigandy]

thank you all so much i have just removed cowling from inside and took about an hour speedo works when turning cable so assume angle drive to blame- is it right that angle drive has a small cable inside it that can be removed? thank you east mids for email

harvey if you get chance please call me i have pmd you my number re angle drive

ta for now

andy

[bigandy]

well guys and gals with many thanks to harvey me speedo is back on track angle drive was snuffed


thanks for all advise so freely given

andy