Topic: How to get an odometer fixed for a reasonable price.
in Forum: C3 Interior
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
The odometer on my 75 quit at 120,000+ miles (before I got the car). I got a quote from Bob's Speedometer today saying it would cost about $350.00 for them to fix it!
There must be a more reasonable fix out there somewhere. Someone on this forum said that it is not a hard fix, but getting the new gears is the hard part.
Anyone have any input on this? I can't pay that much just to fix the odometer.
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
Former Member
Send PM
United Kingdom
Joined: 10/6/2015
Posts: 83
Vette(s): 1970 convertible in red 350
I'm sure a new speedo is less than that, Wilcox have a replacement 2nd worm shaft which is the one that usually fails for not a lot.
Graham
This may be something that you already checked, but if not, have you made sure that the speedo cable is not broken? I don't remember how the speedo gears on your cars transmission were done, some were pressed on the output shaft of the transmission, but most had a "spring clip" of sorts that had a pin holding it to the output shaft with another holding the plastic gear in a "locked" position. If the clip broke or the plastic gear (one on the output and one turning the speedo cable) are bad, then that may be the "real" problem and the odometer is actually not the problem. Also, if your car was one of the GM cars that had a "speedo adapter" to make up for a difference in the gear tooth count (one tooth difference usually was equal to 3 mph)/axle ratio for that year, make sure it is working properly (free spinning & some had an insert key shaft to engage the speedo gear) as well.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Repairing speedometers(LEGALLY) requires a Federal License, thus the somewhat high repair prices.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I looked on the Willcox site but found only the drive gears that go into the transmission. I did not see one for the odometer drive.
9TEEN72 said: This may be something that you already checked, but if not, have you made sure that the speedo cable is not broken? I don't remember how the speedo gears on your cars transmission were done, some were pressed on the output shaft of the transmission, but most had a "spring clip" of sorts that had a pin holding it to the output shaft with another holding the plastic gear in a "locked" position. If the clip broke or the plastic gear (one on the output and one turning the speedo cable) are bad, then that may be the "real" problem and the odometer is actually not the problem. Also, if your car was one of the GM cars that had a "speedo adapter" to make up for a difference in the gear tooth count (one tooth difference usually was equal to 3 mph)/axle ratio for that year, make sure it is working properly (free spinning & some had an insert key shaft to engage the speedo gear) as well.
The speedometer itself works okay, so I assume the cable is okay. It is just the odometer that does not work.
Thanks.
Former Member
Send PM
United Kingdom
Joined: 10/6/2015
Posts: 83
Vette(s): 1970 convertible in red 350
Hi bill try this http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/part.cfm?partno=1604
Graham
Grahamred70 said: Hi bill try this http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/part.cfm?partno=1604
Graham
I was just going to suggest the same thing. I noticed it today in the Corvette America catalog.
in Forum: C3 Interior
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)