speedometer gear not moving

[hughscpa]

I have a 72 CJ5 and thought I should get the speedometer working. The old cable was damaged so I got a new one. Hooked it up and still nothing. Tried driving with the cable disconnected. No movement of the cable. So I pulled the gear from the Transfer Case and it looks okay. What do you think my next step is? Do I need to tear into the Transfer Case ?

 

[Torxhead]

Remove the cable from the speedo end, go for a drive, inspecting its operation. You did apply graphite or some sort of speedo cable lubricant didn't you?

 

[hughscpa]

I did remember to lube the cable. I did drive around the block with the cable disconnected from the speedo and no movement. What's next? I am lost. I can take pictures tonight and try to post them tomorrow of anything needed. Thanks.

 

[oss]

Look at the gear retainer' you might have to adjust it so it meshes with the gear on the shaft.

 

[73CJ]

72-75 liked to slip on the output shaft. Can you turn the inner cable connected to the Transfer Case ? If you pull the output shaft with five bolts. No problem. Mine would work cold then start slipping.

 

[hughscpa]

Can I adjust the gear depth? It is like they touch the gears inside but not well enough to spin.

 

[JR74CJ5]

interested in this as well...

 

[73CJ]

The gear depth is set by a washer. The worm.

The worm gear on the output shaft can be moved forward and backward slightly. The gears can strip or the worm gear can slip if the cable rusts or kinks badly. Sometimes the speedo can seize and strip them too.

Pull the inner cable out and make sure it's good..

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

My spedo was not working when I acquired this CJ last November. I got a replacement cable last week from Morris (Crown part) Original was lelted from laying on the exhaust pipe. I hooked up the end to the Transfer Case and rolled the Jeep. Cable inner moved. Check one I guess.

Then took it to my dislocated dash and attached the cable to the spedo. Rolled the inner cable with my fingers and the spedo was bouncing. Inconsistent, but so was the speed of my fingers. Check two was what I was going with! Now to get some graphite lube for when I put it together. Hope this one works like it should!

Sorry to hijack, but same issues I think!

 

[IOPort51]

the Dana 20 in my 77 has the spedo gear on a sleeve that worked /wore loose and free wheeled. I pulled the spedo gear out and found it would spin so I cleaned it and applied a bit of Loktite and it has been good ever since.

 

[hughscpa]

I will take the gear out again tonight and try to post pics over the weekend. I have a washer on the end of the gear closest to the cable. I would think that would push it in farther more than anything else. The gears look fine to me but I am by no means a mechanic.

 

[73CJ]

If you pull the housing off, you can rotate it and verify the gears are working right. Five bolts and drop the driveshaft.

Also to check the speedo put a drill on the cable and see if the gage moves.

 

[frfredl]

I recently purchased a '73 CJ5 . The speedo does not work right. It jumps around and never shows the correct speed. I purchased a replacement, but that did not work either, so I reinstalled the original one,(at least the temp and fuel worked) plus a new cable, but still the same problem. (the Local jeep dealer did the work) I am told there is a gear in the Transmission to which the cable connects that might be the problem. How difficult is it to service? Where can I get a gear if that is the problem? Thanks.

 

[JR74CJ5]

If it has the stock drivetrain, you should have a Dana 20 Transfer Case . The speedo gear will be in the tail of the Transfer Case . It's easily removable (as shown above) but getting to it (if i remember correctly) entails pressing the shaft / bearings out and in..

It's been a few months since I looked at mine. I rebuilt my Transfer Case but did not buy the part to replace that first

Plus I usually have my iphone vel-crowed to the dash, and have a speedometer app

I'll try to find a couple write ups on doing it i believe ive seen before. In the meantime try google-ing "Dana 20 speedo gear" and you should get a lot of info on purchasing the gears and replacing them.

 

[Thorwon]

I have a 72 CJ5 and thought I should get the speedometer working. The old cable was damaged so I got a new one. Hooked it up and still nothing. Tried driving with the cable disconnected. No movement of the cable. So I pulled the gear from the Transfer Case and it looks okay. What do you think my next step is? Do I need to tear into the Transfer Case ?

I had the same problem with my 74 CJ5 . The plastic gear on the output shaft was slipping. I took it apart cleaned the shaft and gear with alcohol and epoxied it in place. It worked great after that.