3 replies to this topic

[Russ528]

Ok, I've read a load of posts regarding speedo cables and problems, and added details of what I've tried so far here

I'm becoming concerned that the problem is going to be gearbox related. Now, what I'm wondering is how much it's likely to cost for someone to remove the engine and gearbox to fix it - as I don't have the space nor the tools to perform such a task?

From that thought, I looked elsewhere for an electronic solution (as mentioned elsewhere on this forum before)

What about this?

I mean...£150 for one of those could solve the problem and get away from the a mechanically driven speedo, which does appear to be quite problematic judging by the number of posts about it.

Any thoughts chaps?

[Russ528]

Can anyone suggest any way of testing the gearbox end of things, or how I can get to stuff without dropping the engine out?

I've read the drive bits are held in place by 1 bolt. Is it possible to get these bits out without taking the engine out, and do they go back in easy enough or is there any technique to it?

Any assistance would be great.

TIA

[minimanclive]

I spent most of saturday under my Mini getting to the speedo drive gear. You can just about get to it, but there's a drive shaft in the way. If you undo the single bolt. lift away the cover which the speedo cable screws into then you can see the bit that the square end of the speedo cable slots into.
With the car in neutral if you hold one front wheel still and turn the other you should see the speedo drive turn. If it does great. If it doesn't then you'll need to pull it out for a closer inspection. It's a plastic gear pushed onto a metal shaft. One mine the plastic cog was spinning free of the shaft. Swapping over the whole gear and shaft from another gearbox (count the gear teeth first) solved the problem.

If the problem is the other half of the speedo drive gear then you'll need to remove the radiator, undo the engine mount and jack the engine up to access the cover which is behind the engine mount.

Edited by minimanclive, 29 May 2007 - 08:15 AM.

[m1n1]

my plastic cog was spinning free on the end of the shaft as well. I used epoxy glue! 3 years down the line and it's still ok.