Hi Clem (and others). Sorry I didn't get back to this last night. Sometimes things come up that aren't expected, you know. If you have a friend who is capable of machining very small parts, then yes...he could make a collar/shaft that would probably work. I should add I started learning watchmaking in late 1957/58, and I should also say some of this work isn't as easy as it seems it ought to be. But now for something completely different: The shaft where it passes through the little bushing is 1mm in diameter. Mine was an exact 1mm, actually and then it has a step-down to .83mm where it enters the collar. And so I came to what I believe may be an easier solution. Before I go any further, I'll point out where this mechanism should be oiled...because that's likely to be needed. What oil? Please look at image 1 below. That is a jar into which a can of WD-40 was poured. The can was knocked over and the spray nipple was broken off, so I turned it upside down and opened it with a beer can opener. If you pour WD-40 into a jar and leave it, the stuff will separate into 2 distinct layers (as you see). The top layer will be a fine light oil and the bottom layer will be paraffin and all sorts of other junk. Now you can appreciate why you should shake the can really well before spraying it. Back to lubrication, there will be a small brass plug which can be loosened with the edge of a blade (image 2 and 3). Oil this until it pools and then let it settle. Replace plug. The rear shaft collar (image 4) and the little shaft collar you see in image 5. Also put some light grease (like corn head grease or similar) on the worm gear that runs the odometer wheels. On to next post...
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
