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MG TD TF 1500 - How to open TF Speedometer? Help Please!

I'd appreciate any advice on how to open up the speedometer on a TF.

I need to install a clock and it looks like the only way to do it is to open it up. I can turn the 2 very small screws on both sides of the needle, and that seems to free up the front plate, but I cannot get off the speedometer needle, which it seems needs to come off to get inside. I tried to pry off the needle with a screw driver, but that just seemed to bend it.

I get quite nervious with this stuff I know little about (but figure I can screw up pretty easily), so any help or suggestions would be really apperciated!

As always, many thanks!

Tom
TM Going

Don't touch the spedo face! The "can" comes off from the back, exposing the innards of the spedo. Can't remember how it is held on, but I don't think it is too hard to figure out. Thumb nuts maybe?? The rubber o rings between the glass and the face is NLA, but I was able to get some from McMaster Carr.
-David
D. Sander

There are two screws on the back, but I guess I thought they had something to do with calabration or the like of the speedometer. Also, the input on the back related to the tripometer would seem to have to come off is the back needs to come off and I dont know how to do that either. I am really in a quandry.

As I mentoned, this stuff intimidates me since I dont know anything about it but figure I can screw it up easily.

Thanks for any help!
TM Going

The TF speedo's clock mechanism just attachs to the mount pad on the rear of the speedo. You should not be inside at all unless there is more going on than normal. The clock hands are driven by a long shaft that goes from back to front and the shaft engages the removable clock assy. Try to align the hands together before engagement so the hands read correctly.
R Lambert

Your speedo should look like this - the clock is held on by screws and a nut. Notice the brass gear at the center. Down inside that gear is another engagement for one of the hands, probably the minute hand. The bigger gear runs the hour hand.
The hands at the clock face will be bent 90 degrees if you try to pull that gear off, ask me how I know that. The hands must be removed from the front in order to get the back case off.
I you do go ahead and get inside the speedo, be sure to check the odometer gears of fresh lube. I guarantee the gears will freeze eventually and strip teeth.
How about a picture of what you have and have done.

R Lambert

TF Clock. Spedo has to come apart to remove or add the shaft and hands.



P Jennings

And the clock shaft exposed.



P Jennings

Thanks all.

Yes - I need to put a shaft in, and that is why I need to open the speedometer. Sorry, I should have been more clear.


Mr. Jennings, I think your second picture is exactly where I need to be.

Can you (or anyone) tell me exactly the best way to open it up so I can insert the shaft?

As mentioned, I thought the speedometer needle needed to come off to get the speedo open, but I am concerned about trying too hard to pry it off, as when I do, it just seems to bend it.

Any tips are very appreciated.

Tom


TM Going

Well, I got it open.

There are 2 screws on the back of the speedometer that needed to come out. Very easy. Not so easy was removing a screw about the size of a small piece of rice that is on the shaft of the tripometer and that is accessed by a small hole in the side of the back base that attaches the trip cable.

Thanks again to all who weighed in on this.
TM Going

This thread was discussed on 16/12/2011

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