electromechanical clocks

[Douglas Broome]

The original clock is clean and keeps perfect time. It has a broken spring, the one that holds the ratchet lever against the wheel/gear. Requires drilling out the pivot shaft holding the spring and lever; original was peened over. Houston Speedometer cannot do the fix. Palo Alto Speedometer requires doing a complete rehab for $149 and won't do just the spring. Has anyone had (good or bad) experience with United Speedometer in Riverside, CA? Any other suggestions as to competent repairers? Just gathering info before I decide what do do. Many thanks.

[Jim Villers]

If this is a VDO clock, try the VDO repair facility in Winchester VA. If you can't find their number, let me know and I will dig it out of my records. They fixed my 190SL speedometer and they stand by thir work.

Jim Villers
190SL, 230SL

I have just made contact with VDO on the same subject and they do not do clocks any more. They deferred to Pacific Parts 818-761-5139.

I have heard good reports on Palo Alto Speedo Repair. Reported $149.00 for a speedo (same as the clock). Supposedly they did a complete restoration, cleaned all the dials, etc!

Has any one had any experience with VD? (www.vdona.com) They won't give me a price range on a speedo repair and I hate to send it in blind.

What about United Speedometer? There has not been any feedback from the last post.

Thanx,

[Douglas Broome]

In the end, after consulting with my local clock/watch repairer, I tried to fix my clock myself. I unwrapped nearly one loop of the spring and refashioned the tang to fit into the V slot on the lever. It worked perfectly, and now so does the clock! I did get some price quotes as follows: Palo alto, $149; United Speedometer, about $100; United, about $125. All expressed confidence about ability to do the work. Various phone numbers include: 800-872-4798; 800-951-5123; 650-323-0243. I also heard reference to Jacob's Clock and Watch Corp in Oakland, CA 510-655-8468, but I got both one good and one not-so-good report about Jacob's from the same person who used them twice. That is all I can decipher from my notes. Hope this helps.

[Douglas Broome]

Something else from my notes: Donnie Brooks at 800-552-6783. Cannot tell if this is a clock repair person. Quote in my notes is $90 plus UPS.