General Tech Angle Drive Came Apart

[KVH]

Hey, all, after 9 months I finally got the energy to remove my TR4A interior for the umpteenth time--to find out why my speedometer won't work. Attached is the photo of what I found. My angle drive seems to have just come apart. Does anyone know if this is typical or unusual? I can try to find a new one, but I could also have this repaired at my favorite shop. Any advice or clue what happened here? Hopefully it doesn't signify something more serious internal to the pinion

shaft. Thanks guys!!

 

[titanic]

I have had that problem on several cars. The cap can be peened in place with a punch.
Berry

 

[sp53]

I am not curtain, but I think you could run the longer OD cable and omit the angle drive. It might not be stock, but that is what a tr3 is like. Not sure why the older tr3 does not use the angle drive. If the longer cable did fail, a new can be put in without removing so much.

Steve

 

[KVH]

Before I reinstall my angle drive, I've got two questions. Should I use any lubricant on the speedo cable before putting it back in the cable housing? And, what is that little side screw for--the one on the side of the angle drive. Do I need to adjust that somehow?

 

[DrEntropy]

Not an uncommon problem. In the mid-90's there were a lot of them on the market that would do that. And were outrageously expensive to boot.

For the cable lube, use "Molykote" or other graphite based lube. The screw is just there to locate the worm gear. Not an "adjustment."

Stack the bits back into the housing and as Berry suggests, peen over a few places in the housing to retain the cap.

 

[CJD]

It might be a good idea to spin the cable and speedo by hand to judge if there is any binding. Many angle drive and cable issues start with a binding odometer in the speedo.

 

[Madflyer]

Try and put it back together but look for another one also. Lube cable with something that does not dry out and if there any kinks in the case replace it. I think I have one or two laying around.

 

[KVH]

Thanks all. I’ll check that Speedo too.

 

[titanic]

I think the screw plugs a hole that is used for lubrication.
Berry

 

[DavidApp]

The one that came with my OD rebuild has circlips holding he caps on. Along with a note to use the supplied washer on the gearbox side of the drive.

David

 

[KVH]

Just an update. I installed a new angle drive with the copper washer. Works great and I've got a speedometer again. I see my cable has an exhaust manifold burn on it, but I think OK. Man--it sure was a pain pulling out that interior again. I've pulled that out at least 15 times in the past 10 years. Of course I could try pulling out that access plate next time, but I needed to work on my shifter and other things as well, so all OK.