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MG MGA - Help with speedometer

HELP! I have removed my speedometer and am attempting to fix the bouncing. I've gone to the MGA guru site but cannot find how the heck the trip spindle is removed. I'm afraid I'm going to break it. I've twisted it, I've screwed it, I've pulled on it, I've swore at it (that almost worked). Can someone please tell me how to get the spindle out??? Also, if you have any other useful information for me as I attempt this task, please share. Thanks!!
P.R. Fahey

PR,
You might be looking at the wrong culprit. The speedo cable could be causing the problem, not the speedometer. I had a bouncing speedo needle. I changed to the longer cable allowing less severe bends from the tranny to the speedometer. The longer cabled cured the bouncing needle.

Ray Ammeter

The extension bit is held by a split pin, remove that first, then the rest is removed from the casing with the complete instrument. You will have to deform the casing slightly to get the end of the spindle free, but in my experience, doing several over many years, it returns to its original shape easily.
I found Barney's guru site invaluable. Cured all my bounce troubles just lubricating the axles. Saved me a fortune in speeding fines!!
Barry
BM Gannon

PR

Are you running the Ford 5-speed box? If so Ray could well be correct about the cable. Speedometer bounce is very common with that modification without a right angle speedo drive adapter.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I recently had to remove this spindle and found that it was held on by a 1/16" roll pin which I pressed out as follows:- I got hold of a 3/8" nut (the hole just clears the trip knob) and drilled a hole into one of the flats towards the centre and right through the opposite flat. This was tapped OBA (1/4") and I turned down the tip of a 0BA screw to just less than 1/16" diameter lined up the nut hole with the roll pin and screwed in the screw gently to remove the pin. Works a treat with no shock to the meter. Mike (see photo)

m.j. moore

Mike, that's really neat, do you have your own little machine shop?
Neil McGurk

Thanks for all the great info. I've got the speedometer all cleaned up now and re-oiled. After cleaning the face, repainting the needle and polishing the chrome, it looks brand new. This evening I will re-install and see if it works as good as it looks. Thanks again, everyone!
P.R. Fahey

Neil, I've got a beat up old Myford which is worth its weight in gold, I'd recommend one to any restorer. Mike
m.j. moore

Mike, I guessed it would be something like that!
Neil McGurk

This thread was discussed between 09/03/2009 and 10/03/2009

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