"A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

[TonyPanchot]

"A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

Have a question

replacing the speedo cable and the angle drive was a twisted mess on the Trans side
noticed that a copper washer was listed in the VTR
and I did not have one when I disassembled
Is this the reason for the messed up angle drive ??
TRF part # 506108 but they know longer stock

Thanks all

 

[TR3driver]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

As I read it, 506108 is just the sealing washer for the bolt that locates the speedo drive bearing into the housing. Don't know why TRF doesn't list them, but an ordinary copper washer from HF should work fine. And I don't think leaving it out would cause a problem with the angle drive.

Moss lists another washer to go between the angle drive & bearing,
https://www.mossmotors.com/graphics/products/PDF/021-511.pdf
but I can't find any mention of it in the Triumph literature; and the service note they reference is not for Triumph. And all of the angle drive problems I've seen have been traced to either a bad cable or a bad speedo head ... it seems the angle is the weakest link and fails if there is ANY binding farther up the line.

Still, for under a buck, it couldn't hurt to put the washer in there. TRF has it listed for $.70, P/N 3H550 (but only for MGs).

 

[TonyPanchot]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

Randal,

I am replacing the speedo cable and will pop over to local HD
to find a replacement

Thanks much for the help,

Tony

 

[Vaark01]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

Tony,

I had my speedo rebuilt and put it back in the car (TR-3B)with OD. Unfortunately, it is not connected as the local British repair shop can't find an angle drive unit.

Do you have a suggestion on where to find one?

Thanks.

Paul

Fairfax, VA

 

[TR4nut]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

Paul-

Not sure about the major suppliers, but these show up on ebay frequently. But why do you need one? TR3s & TR4s didn't use the angle drive, the speedometer cable can come straight off the transmission and is covered by the rubber handbrake grommet/seal.

Randy

 

[angelfj1]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

Caution: Since most LBC's utilize British Jaeger/Smiths Industries tachometers and speedometers, this caution would apply to many marques. For donkey's years now, after market companies have been producing cables with squared-off ends that are too long and in some cases the wrong dimension (as measured across the flats. If you use a cable with these longer than spec. ends, the result is almost always damage to the input drive of the speedo/tach. Repairing tachs an speedos is expensive.

The same problem applies to the right angle drives on O/D transmissions. A cable end that is too long will damage the drive. I imagine a standard transmission speedo drive could also be damaged.

There are only a few solutions.

_ Find a company that produces the correct cable. (not as easy as it sounds) we have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly from all of the big three.

- Try to shorten the ends by carefully grinding them. This is not easy and often ends in disaster when the cable eventually unravels.

- TIG the end to prevent unraveling, then grind to the proper length. This is tedious and time consuming.

- Find a local shop that is willing to make up custom inner cables. Bring your speedo with you to determine the size and shape that needs to be swedged into the ends.

- if you send your tach/speedo out for refurbishment, send your cable with it. Ask the company to check the ends and to adjust as required. they may be willing to make you a new inner cable.

Many of the parts that I have bought for the current TR3A project were real crapola. I won't tell what this project has cost to date, but I am willing to wager that I have spent 20 percent more either directly or indirectly due to poor quality parts. Most of this additional cost was due to added labor and lost time.

 

[TR3driver]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

But why do you need one? TR3s & TR4s didn't use the angle drive, the speedometer cable can come straight off the transmission and is covered by the rubber handbrake grommet/seal.

It actually comes through the hole in the side of the tunnel, then through the back of the hole in the floor for the handbrake lever.

Takes a special, very long (96") cable, as it then makes a sweeping curve out to the RH frame rail, runs forward and up into the engine compartment, then crosses back over (for a LHD car) on the ledge in front of the battery box. Given how troublesome and expensive the angle drives are; I would certainly not use one when it's not required!

However, I did add a length of rubber hose over the speedo cable, to protect it from abrasion where it goes through the floor behind the handbrake.

 

[TR3driver]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

PS, Both Moss & TRF have the angle drive listed (TRF even has it on sale).

I'd have to wonder about any shop that doesn't know the two largest Triumph suppliers in the US.

 

[Vaark01]

Re: "A" Type O.D. Speedo Angle

Gentlemen,

I appreciate your inputs and will pursue your suggestions. I'll keep you posted.

Paul