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While replacing the tach face, the needle broke off with part of the shaft. Am I screwed and have to get a new tach? Will a new press-on still work? Will our hero get out of this mess? Tune in next time.
Is that part of the needle (cap) that is still on the spindle? If so, it appears that the needle was 'pried' off the axis....or, at least, an attempt was made to pry the needle off.
You are dealing with something akin to a watch mechanism; and the needle needs to be pulled off the spindle in direct alignment with that spindle. Any 'cocking' or 'rocking' of the needle will break it [especially 40 year old, brittle plastic]. With what is left of the needle you can get some flat-surfaced tool with a narrow notch UNDER the remains of the needle and pull it directly away from the spindle...without tipping or rocking it. The needle did not have a thru hole for the spindle, so a watchmaker's 'needle puller' would not work on this speedometer. So they are made to pull off the spindle, but only in the axial direction.
Is that part of the needle (cap) that is still on the spindle? If so, it appears that the needle was 'pried' off the axis....or, at least, an attempt was made to pry the needle off.
You are dealing with something akin to a watch mechanism; and the needle needs to be pulled off the spindle in direct alignment with that spindle. Any 'cocking' or 'rocking' of the needle will break it [especially 40 year old, brittle plastic]. With what is left of the needle you can get some flat-surfaced tool with a narrow notch UNDER the remains of the needle and pull it directly away from the spindle...without tipping or rocking it. The needle did not have a thru hole for the spindle, so a watchmaker's 'needle puller' would not work on this speedometer. So they are made to pull off the spindle, but only in the axial direction.
yes, the needle popped off but took the tip of the post with it inside the cap of the needle.
Last edited by CaptainMorganUOR; Aug 23, 2020 at 09:47 AM.
Broken tach needle
