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-   -   Remove speedometer gauge from dash (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162168)

Babyboomerboy 02-23-2015 09:57 AM

Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

Can anyone tell me the easiest way to remove the speedometer gauge from the dash? I thought I had a broken speedometer cable but I changed that and the speedometer still doesn't work. Thanks

dmsfrr 02-23-2015 10:18 AM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

'56 Fairlane?

Babyboomerboy 02-23-2015 12:34 PM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

Yes, I am sorry. A 1956 Ford Fairlane Town Sedan

dmsfrr 02-23-2015 04:59 PM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

I haven't yet had the pleasure of tackling this project.
But I will eventually, my speedo reads 10mph when the car is parked. :(

Are you sure the speedometer cable is spinning when the car is moving? If not, did you check the driven gear on the trans. end of the cable when you changed it?
If it's a plastic one the teeth can easily wear down and not turn the cable.

My first guess would be to get a rough idea of the location of the gauge cluster back-side mounting screws by looking at photos of similar ones. Ebay probably has some listed for sale with several photos for each.
Disconnect the battery, use some tape & a pen to label everything you disconnect, round up a small mirror and a fluorescent/LED worklight to see around corners while you're upside down under the dash, and go for it.

Babyboomerboy 02-23-2015 11:35 PM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmsfrr (Post 1039082)
I haven't yet had the pleasure of tackling this project.
But I will eventually, my speedo reads 10mph when the car is parked. :(

Are you sure the speedometer cable is spinning when the car is moving? If not, did you check the driven gear on the trans. end of the cable when you changed it?
If it's a plastic one the teeth can easily wear down and not turn the cable.

My first guess would be to get a rough idea of the location of the gauge cluster back-side mounting screws by looking at photos of similar ones. Ebay probably has some listed for sale with several photos for each.
Disconnect the battery, use some tape & a pen to label everything you disconnect, round up a small mirror and a fluorescent/LED worklight to see around corners while you're upside down under the dash, and go for it.

Thank you for your response. We connected the new cable to the trans and after it didn't move the speedometer we disconnected it from the back end of the speedometer and felt the end as we moved forward and it turned. I was afraid that it was going to be a pain to get the speedometer out and I am an old man that can't bend like I use to. I'll keep you posted as to this project. Thanks again

dmsfrr 02-24-2015 10:32 AM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

It might be worth the trouble to remove the front seat to give your self more room to work.
I guess we'll both hope for someone to chime in with a better answer.....

RCM 02-25-2015 05:19 AM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

I need to do that also, so I'll appreciate any insight given.
Do remove the seat. I recently had to assemble and disassemble the vac wiper motor several times and, being a pretty much straight forward operation, it still gave me a bad back for a couple of days. Removing the speedo seems like a tougher task.
Regards

bfdinardo 07-12-2018 11:08 AM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

Definitely remove the front seat to give you enough room to lay on the floor of the car and work behind the dash. First remove the 3 light bulbs that fit into the speedo cup but label them as 1 of them is for the high beam indicator and the other two are simple gauge back lights. then there are 4 screws that hold the speedo cup to the gauge cluster. once the screws are out you have to twist the cup about 45 degrees or so to then pull it out towards the front of the car. then put a few drops of 3-1 oil into a little hole on the back side to lubricate the spinning bearing and clean up the worm gears and you should be good to go.

Grumpy Rick 07-12-2018 04:30 PM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

I once got trapped in a position under the dash of a '55
customline, with a floor shifter. No fun, and I was only 60 at the time.

papanick 07-14-2018 12:49 PM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

Hay if you like to have it checked out or serviced let me know. [email protected]

Ole Don 07-14-2018 03:14 PM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

The speedo on my 55 was removed several times. The whole cluster on the 55 is held in with four nuts, lock washers, and clips. I moved the seat all the way back, layed down two old bath towels to lay on and went down with the 1/4 drive and some sockets, masking tape and a writer, and a light with a magnetic base. When I was younger, my feet ended up over the seat top. Later I just played like a worm. If you are a large person, removing the seat or finding a younger skinny helper is the only way. I was about 195 the last time I did the job. Not sure if I could do it today because of arthritis. Good Luck.

poolplayer1 07-15-2018 03:19 PM

Re: Remove speedometer gauge from dash
 

Yes, that's the rough part of it,reaching behind the cluster to get those 4 nuts off.I think u also have to remove 2 Philips screws in front of the cluster cover facing up and maybe one at the bottom that holds a plate that sits over the steering coluum.I did one about 10 years ago so can't remember exactly.
Mando


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