Help! How to remove speedo needle on W124? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Full Monte · #1 11-23-2005, 04:43 PM

Hi Guys,

This is my first post. I searched for an answer in the old messages. I am trying to disassemble my speedometer unit to fix a non-working trip odometer. I'm stuck on how to remove the speedo needle. It's obvious to me that I have to get it off to access the odometer gears. How do I get it off without damaging anything? I also read in a couple of the messages that removing the speedo needle causes problems. Any advice on that would also be appreciated. Thanks!

dlssmith · #2 11-23-2005, 08:17 PM

I can speak from experience. I was bound and determined to fix my odometer myself one afternoon, so here goes.
The needle is mounted to the shaft with a friction fitting. A tube fits over the shaft. Nothing more. You have to figure a way to pry it off the little shaft that comes through the face plate of the speedo. I used a small flat head screwdriver, prying against the speedo face which I protected with a cloth, and it just came off without incident. Except that it flew some distance, so be ready to catch it. But you'll have to mark the position of the needle to the shaft some how. Just a sharpie marker point on the shaft. I didn't do this and now my speedo is off by about 7 mph.

I would caution you that the shaft and needle are obviously rather delicate. Prying too hard will probably screw the whole thing up. I just figured correctly that it wasn't really going to take too much pressure to get it loose.

I did fix the odometer. Some super glue is all it took to attach the pot metal gears to the shaft. The way I did it, I don't think it will ever fail at that spot again. However, I have to pull it apart to move the needle so the thing will be more accurate.

Let me know if this helps.

Tirebiter · #3 11-23-2005, 08:23 PM

GENTLY pry the needle over the stop post and mark the spot where it comes to rest. When your repair is done, afix the needle at the same mark and then push the needle back over the post. DON'T use any glue on the needle.

#4 11-23-2005, 09:03 PM

FWIW, I used two tea spoons to apply equal pressure to each side and pry my needle off. I put the tips of the spoons right against the shaft and the bottom pivot point over the two screws to avoid bending the faceplate.

Full Monte · #5 11-23-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

FWIW, I used two tea spoons to apply equal pressure to each side and pry my needle off. I put the tips of the spoons right against the shaft and the bottom pivot point over the two screws to avoid bending the faceplate.

Thanks Craig,

We must have posted at the same time, and I think I found your spoon tip on the search. It is a great tip! It would not have come off without some leverage. Now...about that speedo needle return spring...any ideas on removing that and its collar(s)?

Thanks again!

Full Monte · #6 11-24-2005, 01:21 AM

OK...I got the speedo return spring off the shaft by pulling the gear housing cover off with my hands. Now I'm looking at the innards of the odometer.
Can't figure out yet why the trip odometer didn't work, or how the reset mechanism is supposed to work...it doesn't seem to.

Full Monte · #7 11-23-2005, 10:49 PM

Hey Guys,

Thanks a bunch! It's off! I used the trick of finding zero tension on the spring by marking the needle free resting point like Tirebiter said. Great tip!
I used two teaspoons (found this idea on the forum search) for leverage, using the two faceplate attaching screws as the fulcrum point. POP!

Now I'm trying to figure out how to remove the speedo return spring and associated collar(s) from the shaft. It's the only thing holding the assembly together now. The collar on top has a slot in it. Is it crimped on the shaft?
How do I get it off?

So close...yet so far! I'm starting to feel like a watch repairman