Tachometer lubrication

[jeffc280sl]

I have taken all of my gauges out.  The tach squeals when the car it's cold outside.  Decided to take it apart and clean the glass and lubricate the gears.  Has anyone taken the tach completely apart and done this?  I have the glass off and I'm trying to remove the rpm pointer so that I can get to the gear mechanism.  How do you remove the rpm pointer arm.  Thought I would ask before breaking something.

Thanks

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[mdsalemi]

Jeff,

If you don't get a good answer from anyone who has done this, you could try consulting Palo Alto Speedometer, or North Hollywood Speedometer, and see if they'd part with their tricks.  Note that after rebuilding, mine squealed for a while, then settled down.


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks Michael!

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[ted280sl]

Jeff,
  I had my tach rebuilt and it squealed occassionally afterwards. I put some white lithium grease in the area where the cable is inserted into the tach and this solved the problem. A rebuild is a bit over $100. The lithium grease is obviously significantly less expensive.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of us Yanks
'69 280SL

[jeffc280sl]

Thanks Ted,

I've put some light weight oil in the hole you speak about.  I'll let it soak in and then insert some synthetic grease.  I hope it does the job.  I'd rather not tear down the tach any further.  There is a small spring tensioner on the shaft under the face that keeps the tach arm on the stop.  I'd hate to try and put that back in place.

Happy T-day to you!

Jeff C.
1970 280SL 4-speed

[Cees Klumper]

My tach squeeled (sometimes loud), particularly when it was cold out, until I put in a new cable. That cured it. Apparently the cable end that goes into the tach fitting had worn off and slipped ocassionally, and it was not the fault of the instrument itself.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic