How to remove speedometer needle

[bj40green]

Hi Guys, I need your help.
I need to remove the needle from my spare speedometer to remove/replace the faceplate. The question is HOW?
I tried to pull it off and applied equal forces under the needle but it wont move.
I searched the forum and found the perfect write up from BAAS but he skipped the needle removal.
Who can tell me what the right procedure or trick is?


Thanks in advance,

Rudi

 

[PixelWrangler]

I used a right angle standard screw driver (tip is bent at 90° for getting to screws in really tight quarters) and a shop rag to protect the face plate. The trick is to pry up as close to the shaft as possible, then it pops right off without breaking the needle. Yours may have a bit of rust involved by the looks of it, so maybe soak it with PB Blaster or similar penetrating oil first.

Good luck!

 

[Pighead]

On the 55 speedo, you just pull the needle off...

 

[Splangy]

Spinning while pulling will help.

 

[1911]

Mine (1980) just pulled straight off.

 

[Pighead]

Spinning while pulling will help.

You or the speedo?

 

[bj40green]

OK it's soaking in WD40 for the night. We don't have PBblaster here in this country.
Does anybody have a picture of just the needle so I can see how it is attached to the unit?

Thanks,

Rudi

 

[Splangy]

You or the speedo?

LOL! You, of course!

I have to agree - that was poorly written! Although, as long as either you or the speedo remains stationary and the other spins, it should help!

 

[bj40green]

Got the needle off !!!

Finally I got the needle of without any damage.
Here is how I did it. I brought the needle in the 12 o'clock position.
Held the shaft with a flat nose plier in a steady position and turned the needle left - right while pulling. At a certain point I thought that somebody glued the two together but fortunately it was not.
I (correction: the ) took a picture of how I did it when the face plate was still on.



Rudi

 

[Chamba]

'81 - '84 speedometer needle removal?

Does anyone know whether this 'pull straight up and wiggle it a bit' method also works on an '81 - '84 FJ40 speedometer needle?

I've put quite a bit of pressure on mine and it is pretty keen to stay right where it is. I don't want to break it, so I thought I'd just see if perhaps the newer speedometer needle is... welded?... epoxied?... soldered?... held on differently.

Any thoughts on this would be really appreciated.

And then as a further thought - how did you line it back up to replace it: just point it right at 0 and press it on firmly?

Cheers,

Josh

 

[bj40green]

Hi Josh,

The removal is just twist and pull. Hold the shaft with a plier and turn the needle clock and counter clockwise while pulling. Mine was pretty stuck too and just when I thought it's not gonna work it popped of.

Put it back: put it back a bit above 0 position with light pressure.
Move it to the 0 position and push a bit harder. Ready!

Rudi