914, odometer repair Options

[brcacti]

I also followed that Pelican article. Mine was the pot metal gear which was easily crimped back to a tight fit. After being happy with my repair, a member here told me the crimp could loosen after a bit and it is a good idea to reinforce with a dab of epoxy. I didn't do that but did not crimp my bezel back completely on the gauge so it would be easier to get back in if needed. The repair itself is quite simple though.

Also, on removing the wheel to get the gauge out. As you already learned, it isn't necessary EXCEPT if you have spent hours cleaning and repainting gauge bezels and the cluster frame. Ask me how I know (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

Not to mention the top of your steering column housing, toss a rag over it first.

Hello, yes I did put a rag down first, so do YOU advise sending them out or fixing these ourselves ?

[bbrock]

I like DIY stuff AND am a CSOB so I'd say $50 would be about my break even point. I doubt any pros would do it at that price though. The most difficult part is getting the gauge bezel off. You just have to go slow and be patient is all. The number wheels are a bit fiddly but that article does a good job of walking you through it. My OD had been broken long enough that it didn't reflect the miles on the car so I decided to zero it to get closer to the true mileage. That was really fiddly to get right but most people aren't going to be that insane. I also repainted the needle and inner bezel and cleaned the face well while I was there, and had a glass lens cut to replace the plastic. The OD repair probably took about an hour not counting the reset madness but all of the other stuff added up.

[914forme]

$50 bucks doesn't even cover the parts, or time.

[bbrock]

$50 bucks doesn't even cover the parts, or time.

Like I said, I like DIY and am a CSOB. But I should be clear. That $50 is only for getting the odo spinning again (in my case, no parts required - just a good squeeze on the pot metal gear.). Honestly, someone who has done a few of these should be able to do it in a half hour. For a first timer, an hour or two. A complete restoration is a whole different story.

[914forme]

Later units use plastic, and they break apart. Then you get to pull the shaft and spend a bunch of time getting it all aligned and looking correct. Don't forget the gear is not the same size as the old one and then you get to chuck it in the lathe and machine it to the proper specs.

[porschetub]

I like DIY stuff AND am a CSOB so I'd say $50 would be about my break even point. I doubt any pros would do it at that price though. The most difficult part is getting the gauge bezel off. You just have to go slow and be patient is all. The number wheels are a bit fiddly but that article does a good job of walking you through it. My OD had been broken long enough that it didn't reflect the miles on the car so I decided to zero it to get closer to the true mileage. That was really fiddly to get right but most people aren't going to be that insane. I also repainted the needle and inner bezel and cleaned the face well while I was there, and had a glass lens cut to replace the plastic. The OD repair probably took about an hour not counting the reset madness but all of the other stuff added up.

I reclocked my metric speedo to correct mileage and yes it is tricky but having done several mk2 Golf ones its made it easier,another VDO gauge that fails in the drive,funny never had to repair or had failure with the Motometer ones often used in those cars ?.

Being the "king of bezel" removal that's not an issue,I do however have the worst luck with tacho's as after doing full cosmetics on them and LED's they seem to fail shortly ofter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)
I still think Bob is better to buy a good used one and decides if he gets it reclocked to his car our just runs with a good used example with mileage close enough.
Cheers.