1969 Speedometer Removal The Easy Way

[COPOZ/28]

If your speedometer needs service, it can easily be removed without having to remove the dash pad, possibly dropping the steering column an inch or so, unplugging numerous wiring connectors and removing the entire Speedo/Fuel/Clock/Tach gauge cluster as a unit.

For safety, before starting, disconnect a battery cable.  Next, remove the four Phillips head screws holding the speedo's lens cover to the dash (two at the top of the lens cover and two below the bottom of the lens cover, where the wiper switch is located). Then, to disconnect the speedo cable, reach your hand behind the dash from underneath -- the speedo cable is inserted into the back of the speedo and a small circular spring clip around the cable's end fitting holds it in place.  Depress the spring clip with your thumb and pull the cable out of the speedo. Next, reach up under the dash and remove the two ¼" hex head screws, one on either side of the mechanism, that hold the speedo to the gauge cluster.  I suggest using a very small box end wrench – an ignition wrench is ideal.  Be careful not to disturb or lose the small rubber isolator around each screw.  They may or may not come out with the screw – mine did not.  Once these two screws are out, gently push on the back side of the speedo to move it slightly rearward, just far enough to get your fingers around the edge of the gauge's face to lift it out. You don't want to push it too far rearward so that the speedo falls out. The face and needle are fragile and can get damaged.

The entire removal operation was surprisingly easy and very straightforward.  It took less than 10 minutes from start to finish, without any undo contortions, effort or surprises.  For some folks, it may help to remove the driver's seat to allow a more comfortable lying down position, flat on the floor, when reaching up behind the dash to access the cable connection and the two ¼" hex head screws.  I'm 75 yrs old and in reasonable shape and didn't remove the driver's seat.  I kneeled on a cushion on the garage floor and leaned in to stick my head a bit under the dash.

This would be a good time to check/replace any missing or failed turn signal or indicator lightbulbs that are now exposed by having removed the lens cover.  Check the lightbulbs under fuel gauge/tach lens cover, too.