gauge cluster repair

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

gauge cluster repair

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to repair a speedometer with our own garage tools instead of taking it to a shop ?

wuga · PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, ONT

Jim
Have you tried these guys? dashboardinstrumentcluster.com/about/

If you haven't got a backup panel and haven't done it before, I would highly recommend not trying it yourself.

Warren

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

Yes, I phoned them and that's the guy who was vaguely familiar with the concept of a mechanical speedometer. He didn't fill me with confidence. Strange thing is I called another place nowhere near North York two minutes later and got the same guy. I might be forced to buy a backup panel. Thank you Warren. I won't try repairs myself. Good that you warned me.

30-S6 · NORTH BAY, ONT

What would be the difference if that guy did it or you?
It seems at least he may have some idea of how they work and proper tools.

Also if it's a legitimate business then they would have insurance if anything went wrong and some sort of warrantee if negotiated before.

-- Edited by 30-S6 on Thursday 20th of November 2025 06:35:30 AM

Marten · RICHMOND, ONT

I agree with 30-s6. If he can't do it, he should be able to let you know

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

My experience with repair shops leaves me wary. The last shop I went to charged me over $300. to tell me my speedo is seized and he didn't fix my gas sending unit / gauge. I didn't know it was seized but I knew both were broken which is why I went there. I have had a few other similar experiences with different shops. It's hard to find the right one for the job. I do what I can myself but I have learned not to just go anywhere and hope for the best. So far I found 2 shops for my cluster but both are in the US. I will keep looking or buy another unit. Kind of close to Christmas to lose a few hundred in the wrong shop.

Rockhauler · WHITEFISH, ONT

First off your experience with the repair shops is all to common. But I put some of the blame on the customer as much as the shop. You should be specific to the shop what you want done and ask for a ball park price quote plus require permission to exceed the quoted fee.

Secondly for a older vehicle ask yourself can the shop buy the parts at the local parts store. If not where are you expecting them to get the parts to make the repair. Before heading to the repair shop think about how easy the job might be, like trouble shooting up in behind the dash is most likely going to have a nasty labor bill attached to it.

For the speedometer check out this video as to ideas of what can go wrong and what's possible to fix it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyaDKTV12L4

If it was my speedometer I would buy a second one and try repairing it before paying someone to restore one but I can get pretty cheap at times. If your speedometer is seized and the truck has been driven with the cable connected the cable or gear in the trany should also be checked for damage.

For marking the wires if not color coded I've used different colored cable ties or electrical tape, or masking tape with a sharpie marker.

-- Edited by Rockhauler on Sunday 23rd of November 2025 07:53:13 PM

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

Alright ! All sound advice. Thank you so much Rockhauler. A lot of work ahead for me. I did try to contact the guy selling a unit but no reply yet. I will write your advice for dealing with shops in the front of my notebook & thank you for the URL. I will check it out. Yup, a lot of wires to mark while upside down in the dark of a tight space. All part of the fun I guess. Thank you again.

Rockhauler · WHITEFISH, ONT

Cuddles I got curious and did a quick search on vintage speedometers. Some had a place for lubricating them, found a picture of a 41 truck gauge and it looks like there is a spot for oiling the speedometer. If this is correct maybe you could clean out the hole if needed and add some oil. It may also have a felt like material like a electric motor in the hole for wicking oil. I would use WD-40 if it looks like dried up crude then some oil. Don't over do the WD-40 or oil as you don't want it bleeding onto the speedometer face. Also I would file a square on something like a nail to fit where the cable engages the speedometer to gently try freeing up the seized part.

Use the above with caution as you can easily damage or destroy the internal parts.

Speedometer Fits 1941 FORD TRUCK .jpg

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

I guess this is what auto restoration is all about, when one source warns me not to try repairs myself and another source suggests how to attempt repairs. So it's up to me to decide and that's ok. We learn from mistakes and experience.
First thing for me is getting the cluster out of the dash. It is physically unbolted but I still have to mark the wires and disconnect them. Then I'll decide what to do. Maybe buy a replacement in the meantime. Maybe not. Darn expensive but everything is. Hoping to start dropping cash into my rod again someday instead of my grocery getter.

Rockhauler · WHITEFISH, ONT

Was sorting through some of my truck spare parts and found a dash and a separate speedometer from my 86 Ford. Doubt your speedometer looks much different inside. To me this should give easy access to the seized area that solvent and oiling should fix.

So all you should need to do is separate the speedometer from the dash assembly then remove the speedometer mechanism from the speedometer body.

86 Ford Truck Dash and Speedometer.jpg

86 Ford Speedometer.jpg

jarvis1 · COBBLE HILL, BC

Nuthin' to it...

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

Well this IS good news. I had reached a point where I needed a break from sinking cash into the 42. It's a beauty but I love my 29 and it needs my attention (and cash). Maybe I CAN fix the speedo with just some solvent and oil. I hope so cause the 29 has been screaming at me all summer. Thank you Rockhauler and Jarvis.

Iwannagofast · ONTARIO

Cuddles, like most of the guys here my ( our) projects always take a back seat to life's everyday needs. Paying the bills and watching over our families is paramount. Because of this, we need to be resourceful and unafraid to dive into something unknown. Read up whatever you can find - that is accurate, not just an opinion - about the issue at hand then tear into it. The knowledge learned when the project is complete will make you far more confident in your ride. I don't have a skill set anywhere like some of the fella's here, a few of them amaze me with their abilities but that doesn't mean we can't learn. Look back at all the issues you've mended already. Get at it Bud. Happy Winter(grrrrrrrrrrr)

Cuddles · PETERBOROUGH, ONT

Thank you Iwannagofast. Wise words. I got into this because I want to learn. Built not bought means a lot to me. My mood often determines my next step. Some days I forge ahead and some days I am overcome with doubt. But it occurs to me that if it's already broken, what harm can I do ? Maybe I can only make it better. Thank you again.