Speedometer needle broken

Hi ,
The needle is broken on the speedometer guage . Im just wondering how a speedometer needle can break off(vibrations?) and is it a cheap fix. Id like to change the bulb color and perhaps the needles anyway. maybe go LED, maybe just a blue color.

 

You can fix it ... you just need to put your Precision Hat on.
Mask the face of the Speedo off with some Aluminum Foil followed by some Paper towel.
Get some 5-Minute Epoxy.
Epoxy a Tooth Pick to the underside of the fragment.
Just to the butt-end and hold it perfectly straight until the Epoxy cures and the Tooth Pick becomes part of the former indicator that broke-off.

Next.
Mix a SMALL amount of Epoxy and use another Tooth Pick to "Coat" the glued-on Toothpick.
Build-up a nice "Bead" of Epoxy from the break to the tip of the glued-on Tooth Pick.
Cover the repair with a coat that will built-up and form the new Speedo Needle.

While the repair bead is almost cured and still a little bit flexible ... nip-off the end with a pair of fingernail clippers to the correct length.
Leave it alone after using a Razor Blade to remove any Epoxy that starts to drip-off and fall on to the paper towel.
In other words ... clean-up and "Shape" the underside ... flat.

When it's done getting cured ... do a final shaping and "Roughing-up" of the surface with a brand new Emery Board. Your wife should have plenty.

Once you have finally shaped and lightly sanded the surface ... paint it.

get the paint from the "Testors" (Trademark Brand) Paint Rack at a Hobby Shop.
The matching Red is: "Italian Red"
An alternative Needle indicator color is: Florescent Yellow.

While you are at the Hobby Shop; pick-up a tiny paint brush (Artist type) to use putting-on the paint over the repair job.

Don't try to get the repaired Needle painted all in one sitting.
Apply a first coat.
Let completely dry.
Emery board out any "Pulls or wrinkles"
Apply second coat.
The second coat might do the trick.

If it needs a third coat ... wait for the second coat to dry.

New Speedo Needle Indicator.
Cost: 10 Bucks or so!

Change the Bulb colors to anything that is available with pre-colored bulbs.
Red, Blue and Orange are nice.

Take your time and do a nice job.
Wibe the Bulb Holders with a Q-Tip soaked in Armoral.

PS: A two-tone Indicator with the tip painted a different color than the needle body is trick.
Use some 3M Vinyl Masking tape to mash-off the Red Line area of the tach and add some color to the tach.

 

somebody suggested a toothpic to me and I was sceptical,but you can concur sooo Ill give er a go .
what about recovering the original floating around in the cluster body? perhaps dipping it in a hardener and super glueing it back on ?

Where can I get new bulbs ? and is it difficult to change to an LED .

Thanks for your help ... you seem to have seen it all .

 

When you remove the instrument from case to have it on the bench and work on it ... the broken fragment should shake right out.

You can do LED's for Your Instrument Lights. But, the problem is ... they are usually brighter and more directed than stock bulbs.

They'll light-up fine. Just won't "Spread" like a bulb will and you have to determine how and where to splice-in the resistor.

Go with some colored Bulbs. The Bulbs are Plug-in and Play. The LED's require some Soldering and fussing with to get into the right position.
Try some colored bulbs, first.
If you don't like the effect ... then, do the LED's.

 

You can actually buy LED's w/ the resistor built right in (12v rated), I think a six pack is roughly $ 4.00 I was going to buy a whole bunch of them and build my own tail light and, well, that's all for now!!

You-do-it Electronics
Wexford ave Needham MA

WEB PAGE

 

Y'all have already forgotten about Tazmaniak's post where he not only upgraded his gauge lights to LED, but replaced his broken needles with ones from a Ford?

LED upgrade

He even set it up so the needles take in some of the light and glow.

 

Couldnt have forgotten about Tazmaniaks post because Ive been here for a week , and dont have a clue who that is . .. but thanks for the reference schmuck.

Ive decided to use a party poker toothpick . It is extremely close to the original orange, it seems very durable , and cost nothing....but time . Im shaving off a few mm off the existing needle in the speedo, and a bit off of the new one, hopefully achieving the original thickness, so it does not come close to rubbing on the plastic window. and Ill super glue it on .

I was thinking about keeping a spade end and replacing the tach needle , but dont know if that would be to cheezy .

so far so good .
.....
as for the bulbs I just bougt some blue colored ones, much easier and softer glow . done and done .