I hate gauges

[drooartz]

Fiddly little things that they are. Just trying to get them apart is a frustrating experience. I've got 4 tachs, trying to see if I can take 3 of them and make 1 electronic one, plus the original Bugeye tach (generator gear box is broken) that I'd like to get apart to replace the little red dot. No progress on any of them.

On a positive note, my eBay speedo actually works, and the bezel came right off so I now have 1 replaced red dot. It's the (really, really, really) little things that count, right? /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[jlaird]

Drew, Drew, Drew.

The front chrome ring is a twist on. Take a very small screw driver and work around the gauge from the rear to just lift the chrome a small bit.

Then turn the chrome ring with your hands, if you need use a pair of smallish plires to lift the tabs on the back of the ring just a bit, careful now.

Not a bad job at all, make sure you have new ring seals for in side the face and don't forget to clean the glass, hehe.

 

[BWillis]

Drew,

Another tip I figured out while doing exactly what you're attempting.

Use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm the gauge before trying to twist the chrome ring off. This will heat up the rubber seals and make them release. It seems that the rubber creates an almost gluelike bond while it deteriorates.

HTH,

 

[jlaird]

Oh, that's a cool idea, er hot idea.

 

[drooartz]

I'll have to try the heat gun thing next. I've pried up the tabs a bit, but the bezel won't twist at all. The sealing stuff has turned to some sort of super glue like substance. I'll give it another go in a few days and we'll see how I do then.

 

[fmichaels]

i used some pb blaster and a dental pick to clean the old gunk out. it takes a little effort but you'll get them off.

 

[jlaird]

The next stage after the glueish is dried out and cracking. Wait a few more years, hehe.

Just keep picking at it, it will come.

 

[Billm]

And watch out after you get the chrome ring off- if you force the glass it will break (ask me how I learned last week!!). Cut the "glue" with an Exacto knife carefully and work the glass free.
Bill

 

[drooartz]

I've broken one already, Bill -- Luckily it was on the rusty tach I bough just for the tach face, so I didn't mind too much. Wish I'd have thought of the exacto knife, would have helped.

 

[jlaird]

Think outside the box when repairing this stuff, dental tools work well also. Razor blades, exacto stuff, and the normal tools as well. Just be careful and go slowly.

 

[drooartz]

I'm holding off on them for a while now, to rethink how I want to tackle the gauge question in general. Requires a bit of thought, and I'm feeling like the frustration needs to pass (as it will) before I sit down with them again.