The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Took my old odometer apart, now I can't find it.

Many years ago, I rebuilt the dash on my '59 Truck. I recall taking the odometer apart. I even figured out how the thing worked.
Now- skip forward 15 years...
I have acquired another dash unit complete with odometer.
We bought new labels and installed them correctly. To be perfectly clear, we aligned the new numbers exactly where the old numbers were. ie 0 aligned with original 0, etc.
This odometer does not work properly. It hangs up between numbers.
I have two problems:
One you all might be able to help me with...
First, I cannot seem to recall how to disassemble the odometer.
The second problem is ... I can't remember where the original odometer is!!! I put the whole assembly in a 35 mm film canister and now I have no idea where I put it.
I know y'all can't help me with that, but I need to know how to disassemble this odometer to figure out what is causing it to hang up.
Any help is appreciated.
Yes, I did use the search, and looked at the 'dash refurbish' page, but he clearly states 'Do NOT take apart the odometer.'
I'm sure it is for a good reason, but I can't break this one any worse than it is.
I have a 50/50 chance of fixing it- I'm taking it..

Thanks
Chris

this tech tip? . . . the whole assembly fits in a 35mm film can?

if any wheel stops at any point, it, or the one before it, has a broken tab and isn't likely to be fixable unless you can move the bad one to the end of the line

Bill

Thanks, Bill.
That's the information I need. Now, to get the assembly apart so I can see if the tabs are broken. I just can't remember how to disassemble the wheels.

Chris

Chris,
Here's a pic of the odometer I tore apart. There is a couple more pictures after that too. Good Luck.
Dan

Just a suggestion.....when you are planning to add new decals to the odometer cylinder assembly...DON'T TAKE IT APART!!!! It's not necessary to break it down to it's smallest components. It helps to remove the wheel assembly from the mount after you've marked the location on the face where your new decal will start. This way you can get the numbers centered in the window. Wipe the assembly down with some alcohol. Put on one strip of decals using a drop of soapy water on the wheel surface so you can make any final adjustment.

Put it back on the bracket and check to make sure you're lined up properly. If so, remove the assembly, add the remaining decals, using a little water/soap solution (a couple drops of dish soap in a glass of water...applied with a q-tip)squeege the water film and any bubbles out, let it dry out overnight and you'll have an odometer that isn't out of alignment, that hangs up, and you can enjoy adding new miles.

My odometer decals have been on almost 2 years and look as good as the day they were installed.

Dave

Chev4T6,
That's a great batch of pictures you have. Thanks for posting those.
What a coincidence! My young son is also named Jeremy, and we refer to him as 'Jerm'. This 59 is his truck now, since I had 15 years to work on it, but found other things to do instead.
Now, we are getting this truck back on the road for him.
On our odometer,I worked the right side washer off the axle pin and took all the wheels off. Bear in mind, we already have the new stickers on these wheels with the 0 in the correct place. I noticed that there is some form of old dried-up lubricant on this assembly. It seems to be lithium soap based grease. I have inspected each wheel and the cogs that fit on the flat metal brackets between each wheel. I see no differences on any of the moving parts. I cleaned everything with Q-tips and alcohol.
Did you lubricate the axle pin and small cogs when you re-assembled the unit? I wonder if a small amount of lithium on the cogs would help everything work better?
As always- the advice given here is the best, and truly appreciated!

Chris

I didn't use any lubricant. I guess you could use a dry graphite. Hope the pics helped. Good luck and have fun.
Dan