VDO clock disassembly

[pauldridge]

I've removed my clock, and now want to pull the back cover off and see if the forum suggestions for repair might work.  Problem is, I can get the back cover to come off... removed the 2 nuts, but it doesn't want to budge.  It seems that the little cylindrical dealy on one side may be holding me back (see picture).  I'm not sure whether to try to force, or pry off the cover, don't want to break anything.

Has anyone else disassembled a similar clock and can shed some light on the problem?

Download Attachment: clock.jpg
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230SL, 59 Jag MK IX, 65 Stingray Roadster, 89 Carrera Cabriolet

[jameshoward]

Paul,

Yes, that thing in your photo is stopping the back coming off. You have to break it (pry the top cover of it off with a screw driver leaving the rest of the surround in place) and underneath you'll find another nut just like the others. It's some kind of tamper-proof seal. I kept mine and because I'm particularly anal, once I'd done the repair I glued it back on again.

There are some excellent threads on the repair, and it worked perfectly.  

Good luck.

JH

[sjiatrou]

Even after you get the nuts off be careful in handling the plastic case as you take it off and put it back on - don't inadvertantly squeeze too hard or you may crack the case.  The plastic is old and thin; I thought I was being careful but I was having trouble lining up the case to reassemble and just a little too much pressure put a small thin crack down the side of the case.  It didn't break the case and the clock still works fine but I know that behind the dash is a crack in the clock.

Steve

Steve
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[pauldridge]

Wow... you guys are GOOD!  (and quick)... Thanks to James' guidance, I popped off the seal, opened the case... sure enough, blown fusible link... after several unsuccessful attempts, finally got a small length of solder to bridge the gap.. popped it back in the car.. works great.. even the light still works, after who knows how many years!

btw James, I used to live in your neighborhood... Del Rey Oaks.. met my wife there, who was living on Yosemite street at the time.
Thanks again
Phil

230SL, 59 Jag MK IX, 65 Stingray Roadster, 89 Carrera Cabriolet

[J. Huber]

Hey Phil, glad you got it going. Back in the 90s, I replaced mine with the now available quartz -- without even trying for a fix. Just figured, its broke -- ya buy a new one. Like an idiot, I tossed it out. Who knew? The new one has worked flawlessly but having the original would be nice...

And by the way -- I think its Steve and not James who resides near Del Rey Oaks...unless they have one in Merry Old England  Germany! as well!    Where did I get England? Oh well...(remember this is the guy who tosses out vintage parts... :oops: )

Regards,
The Other James

James
63 230SL

[sjiatrou]

Yep, that would be me.  Yosemite street is about 1/2 mile from my house in Seaside.  Austin is nice, but why would you leave the Monterey Peninsula for Texas?

Steve
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[philmas]

I had my clock restored last month at Palo Alto Speedometer.
They have converted the old mechanism to quartz, but the outside of the clock remains the same as original (i.e. without the "quartz" logo).
And for the first time since I bought the car (1989!), I now have a working clock!

Philippe from Paris
'71 280SL manual 4sp

[Paddy_Crow]

My clock works, but it keeps lousy time. So I guess that effectively means it doesn't work. I'll have to look into it...

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch...