Coloradobug
Active Member
Can someone walk me through replacing my speedometer in my 70 Roadrunner? Old one stopped working! I Got a new one just need to put this bad boy in it's new home.
replacing speedometer
- Thread starter Coloradobug
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okiemopar
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Speedo
Is it a ralley dash? Ronnie
Is it a ralley dash? Ronnie
Coloradobug
Active Member
pic is worth a 1000 words!
70Fish
Well-Known Member
The whole cluster will need to come out to replace that bad speedo. Not sure how you'd test a bad speedo cable, but perhaps that's something to check out first as that would be much easier than pulling the cluster!
If the speedo failed, and you have to remove the cluster, you'd need to remove the screws on the black bezel, pull all the wires from the back, disconnect the speedo cable, and the cluster should come right out. FYI there was a recent article in Hemmings Muscle Car mag about replacing the wiring harness on a 70 'Runner that would also help.
PS nice looking car from what I can see!
If the speedo failed, and you have to remove the cluster, you'd need to remove the screws on the black bezel, pull all the wires from the back, disconnect the speedo cable, and the cluster should come right out. FYI there was a recent article in Hemmings Muscle Car mag about replacing the wiring harness on a 70 'Runner that would also help.
PS nice looking car from what I can see!
70rr-brian
Well-Known Member
As mentioned its not terribly difficult just a bit akward to get the angle right to get everything disconnected from the back of the gauge cluster.
A word of advice... make sure you drape a heavy towel or something over the column or you could scratch it up pretty good when you pull it out. Also, I find it easier to lossen the two 7/16 bolts that hold the column up as well before removing it. Don't completely remove....just loosen enough to drop it down about an inch. If you really want a nice work area, I would remove the steering wheel as well.
Also, I noticed you just recently bought the car. As mentioned, make sure 1st that the speedo cable is actually connected to the back of the speedo. Mine had a busted clip and would slide right off the back. That can be easily reached if you lay on your back on the drivers floor and feel up in there to make sure it is connected. As mentioned are you 100% sure it isnt the cable? That can be easily replaced without removing the gauge cluster. You could probably test the cable by disconnecting it from the back of the speedo, pulling it down so you can hold on to it and driving forward a bit and keep your finger on the end that inserts into the the back of the speedo and see if it is spinning. Just keep your finger on it to keep it engaged on the trans end.
You could always test the speedo before replacing it by using a drill to spin it. It won't get above probably 20mph unless you have an UBER drill but...at least you can test it.
A word of advice... make sure you drape a heavy towel or something over the column or you could scratch it up pretty good when you pull it out. Also, I find it easier to lossen the two 7/16 bolts that hold the column up as well before removing it. Don't completely remove....just loosen enough to drop it down about an inch. If you really want a nice work area, I would remove the steering wheel as well.
Also, I noticed you just recently bought the car. As mentioned, make sure 1st that the speedo cable is actually connected to the back of the speedo. Mine had a busted clip and would slide right off the back. That can be easily reached if you lay on your back on the drivers floor and feel up in there to make sure it is connected. As mentioned are you 100% sure it isnt the cable? That can be easily replaced without removing the gauge cluster. You could probably test the cable by disconnecting it from the back of the speedo, pulling it down so you can hold on to it and driving forward a bit and keep your finger on the end that inserts into the the back of the speedo and see if it is spinning. Just keep your finger on it to keep it engaged on the trans end.
You could always test the speedo before replacing it by using a drill to spin it. It won't get above probably 20mph unless you have an UBER drill but...at least you can test it.
Coloradobug
Active Member
Thanks for your help! I have only owned the car for a little over a month and I’m just starting to fix the little things the previous owner didn’t get around to doing after the restoration. I’m not sure what is not working on the speedo because it hasn’t work since I have owned the car. The previous owner said it was bad and he gave me a good used replacement for me to install.
I have a laundry list of things that need to be fix on the car before next spring such as the windshield wiper motor is not working, dash lights don’t work, and front marker light keeps blowing out. All things I’m sure I could fix in a day if I had a full day to actually work on it.
Do I have to remove the lower plastic dash piece below the stereo?
I have a laundry list of things that need to be fix on the car before next spring such as the windshield wiper motor is not working, dash lights don’t work, and front marker light keeps blowing out. All things I’m sure I could fix in a day if I had a full day to actually work on it.
Do I have to remove the lower plastic dash piece below the stereo?
70rr-brian
Well-Known Member
no
okiemopar
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Speedo
You will have to take the trim off around the radio and it will be a lot easier if you drop the steering collumn. Then remove all the screws out of the bezel and start working it out. You'll have to make sure all your wires are clearing all the hangers and the speedo cable is slid off the back. Pull it out far enough to unbolt the 2 wires on the amp gauge and unplug he cluster and it should come out then. You will have to unplug all your dash lites too and then it should come out. You can get new twist in lites at NAPA which is what I would do while it was out and put all new bulbs in. You will have to take the bezel off the cluster and then you have 2 screws that hold the speedo in and remove it and now would be a good time to polish the clear bezel while it is apart. Good Luck and if you need any more help let me know. Ronnie
You will have to take the trim off around the radio and it will be a lot easier if you drop the steering collumn. Then remove all the screws out of the bezel and start working it out. You'll have to make sure all your wires are clearing all the hangers and the speedo cable is slid off the back. Pull it out far enough to unbolt the 2 wires on the amp gauge and unplug he cluster and it should come out then. You will have to unplug all your dash lites too and then it should come out. You can get new twist in lites at NAPA which is what I would do while it was out and put all new bulbs in. You will have to take the bezel off the cluster and then you have 2 screws that hold the speedo in and remove it and now would be a good time to polish the clear bezel while it is apart. Good Luck and if you need any more help let me know. Ronnie
70redbee
Well-Known Member
And don't forget to unhook the battery.
terzmo
Well-Known Member
drop the steering column..remove the screws on face of speedo....carefully pull it forward without breaking the bottom right corner off...the radio trim removal would make breaking that corner less of a possibility...it's easy...but it's a p i t a
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