Speedo/Odometer questions, Gears, lube, and more Options

[bbrock]

So I completed the odometer repair following the tech article on the bird. PIA but it seemed to go well enough. But I have a few questions before I button this thing up.

1. It was recommended that I replace the plastic drive gear while I'm in there as they are prone to failure. But I"m not sure what gear needs replacement and the most likely suspects are metal on mine. Does this not apply to me?
   
   
   
   
   
2. While in there, I freshened the grease on the worm, and other gears with multi-purpose grease. Later, I read that petroleum grease breaks down the plastic gears and is responsible for the failures. Should I clean out the grease and replace with a different lubricant? If so, what?
3. In testing, my odometer advances the mileage when the trip meter reaches 9/10 of a mile. Is there a way to align these so the odometer advances in sync with the trip meter as it rolls over a new mile? My trip meter and odometer never worked since I owned the car so I don't know what is normal and maybe I'm being too picky.
4. This is an idiot question but is there any magic that would whiten the tenth mile wheel short of removing and painting? Dreaming the impossible!

Thanks again for all the great advice from the brain trust.

[timothy_nd28]

The plastic worm gear will not break, never seen one yet. I think you are referring to the drive gears on a 911 electric speedos, which are notorious for breaking.

That tech article suggests that you pinch the odometer gear with vice grips, so it grabs better on the axle. If you went this route, I think you will be re-opening the gauge in the future for more repairs. Gluing the gear to the shaft is superior to the other method mentioned.

Did you remove the back half spinning magnet assembly? The grease has turned to wax in those bearings, spinning the magnet by hand you would be lucky to get 1/8th of a turn. After rinsing out the old grease and relubing (I use silicone spray), it should spin like those new fidget toys. This will keeps the speedo from making odd noises, ghost jumping in speed, and sparing your speedo cable from snapping.

Toward the yellowed odometer gear, I would suggest buying a broken core gauge and using a better looking gear from it.

[bbrock]

The plastic worm gear will not break, never seen one yet. I think you are referring to the drive gears on a 911 electric speedos, which are notorious for breaking.

Probably so. Everything I've found on plastic gears deteriorating references 911 gauges.

That tech article suggests that you pinch the odometer gear with vice grips, so it grabs better on the axle. If you went this route, I think you will be re-opening the gauge in the future for more repairs. Gluing the gear to the shaft is superior to the other method mentioned.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/post-2-1117899824.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) !!!! I did the pinch (followed by a counter clockwise swirl for you Seinfeld fans). Man I hate to think about pulling that thing out again. Took me forever to get that in at 00000.

Did you remove the back half spinning magnet assembly? The grease has turned to wax in those bearings, spinning the magnet by hand you would be lucky to get 1/8th of a turn. After rinsing out the old grease and relubing (I use silicone spray), it should spin like those new fidget toys. This will keeps the speedo from making odd noises, ghost jumping in speed, and sparing your speedo cable from snapping.

Nope. Can this be done without mucking up the calibration? I assume it is just the two screws on the back of the odometer bracket?

Toward the yellowed odometer gear, I would suggest buying a broken core gauge and using a better looking gear from it.

I'll just live with it. It doesn't really bother me and just adds some of that nice "patina".

Thanks for you help!