Smith Speedo

Todd Hedges · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2002, 06:38 PM

Hey Bob,

I have 136 miles on my Smith Speedometer and it stopped
working. Any ideas?

Right before it died, the needle was jumping between
0 and 20mphs, then nothing.

I am asking only to avoid taking the interior apart for nothing.

Bob Putnam · #2 (**permalink**) 05-06-2002, 05:46 AM

Todd,

The tach may still be OK. We've had a few failures of the cable drive gear with RG5's lately. Even got the RG rep in last week. Nothing definite yet.

Pull the cable off the speedo and check that the cable's still rotating when you're moving - or you can do it with the car securely on stands. If it is, try spinning the speedo (a nail sometimes works to substitute for the square drive).

Bob Putnam · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2002, 08:29 AM

Todd,

If the driven gear has failed:

As far as we can tell, the cable driven gear isn't getting enough lube. We can only surmise that the gearbox lube path has been changed, although the rep says no. We normally assemble with white lube, but the rep recommends regular chassis lube "maybe with some STP thrown in".

Todd Hedges · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2002, 08:33 AM

I will trouble shoot this on Saturday.
I'll let you know what I find.
Thanks

Todd Hedges · #5 (**permalink**) 05-21-2002, 02:11 PM

Bob,

I removed the seats, removed the tunnel and found the
90 degree adapter came apart, thus making the speedo
not work. SO I THOUGHT. I put it back together and attached
the cable.

Next, I put the interior back together and was all set to enjoy
a nice Sunday drive when I realized that the speedo still
doesn't work. CRAP. Looks like the interior comes out again.

I will soon become an expert on ERA interiors.

(However, I think I'll check to see if it is the gage first,
by disconnecting the cable at the dash and seeing if it
moves, just like you suggested.)

Todd

Bob Putnam · #6 (**permalink**) 05-21-2002, 04:39 PM

Todd,

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Sometimes troubleshooting is best done like the drunk looking for his keys underneath the street light - go for the easiest fix first...

Todd Hedges · #7 (**permalink**) 06-24-2002, 09:47 AM

Bob,

I finally checked to see if it is the speedo or the drive on Sunday.
I disconnected the cable from the speedo and watched the
cable as the car drove forward. The cable didn't move.

The next step is to take the interior out and check the drive adapter again. If it is, would you have a replacement available?

I'm going to try a do this during the week, and possibly stop by on Saturday. I haven't see Pete in a while.

Thanks
Todd

Bob Putnam · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2002, 05:17 AM

Todd,

Pull the driven gear out to determine where the problem is. It could be that a binding cable caused the gear to fail, too.