Technical Speedo glass/plastic

[AndrewRL]

After another bit of advice/expertise!
The clear speedo glass/plastic is badly discoloured after all the years sitting in the Italian sun. I have bought a replacement but am now not sure how to remove/refit - none of the manuals I have go into details of such fixtures. I am guessing that the surrounding silver ring just needs levering out with a screwdriver and the "glass" then fits underneath and the ring clipped back. I have had a quick look but am not certain and don't want to do create more damage!

Has anyone else done this? Any tips? Is it more complicated than I thought/

Many thanks as always.

Andrew

 

[the hobbler]

Although I haven't taken one apart myself (just sold one on), I seem to remember that the chrome ring is held in place by small 'bent-over' lugs. Carefully bend the lugs to a point that you can remove the chrome ring, fit the new glass and then replace the ring, again bending the lugs over, this time to retain the ring.

 

[fiat500]

I think Tony Vitesse has done a good job on this.

 

[tjmra]

Andrew,

Have a look here or just search for 'black dial'. This should get you going.

https://www.fiatforum.com/500-classic/345364-black-dial-speedometer.html

Joe R

 

[AndrewRL]

Thanks all for the advice and link.
Unless i am misunderstanding something this sounds like the tabs on the ring are only accessible from the back (???) so I need to remove the whole instrument unit to get to them. I was hoping it was a simple "fit from the front" fix.
Anyway, with the info I will have another look later.
Thanks all

 

[AndrewHarvey]

Oh no it's got to come out!

 

[AndrewRL]

OK. So I guess the next obvious question is...how do you remove the instrument unit (round version) enough to get to these tabs? Is there anything that needs to be disconnected? Anything to look out for?
I have a horrible feeling that you will say it needs to be unscrewed from the front luggage compartment so will need the fuel tank to be removed, will need the speedo cable disconnected, tampering will reset the odometer etc....
Or I could remain positive

Thanks

 

[stevehg]

Speedo cable just screws off, and it's no problem to remove it.

Tank is also very easy to remove. Undo electrical connections, remove fuel pipe, undo two tank strap bolts and lift off straps. Then lift out tank, dropping the rear curved plate that you didn't know was separate on the floor. Then just as easy to refit.

cheers, Steve

 

[fiat500]

....and the speedo unit itself simply pulls out towards you as it is secured by two expanding spring-steel clips each side which will compress inwards. Possibly a bit of penetrating-oil, sparingly applied, may help.
The various light-bulb sockets are a push fit and they are pulled out from the rear. If it has all been undisturbed for years, corrosion will probably make everything feel immovable and it's one of those many jobs that is easy in retrospect, once you know how much force you need to apply.
I don't think the tank needs to come out although it might make things easier?

 

[AndrewRL]

Geez...and I thought this car was simplicity itself

Think I'll live with the discoloured cover for a while longer!

I look forward to having to do a complicated job

 

[fiat500]

Geez...and I thought this car was simplicity itself

Think I'll live with the discoloured cover for a while longer!

I look forward to having to do a complicated job

Andrew, it is a simple car but the great thing is that it is properly engineered and so it won't just fall apart.
I doubt you will find any other vehicle in which the speedo (and many other items, including the engine) can be removed so quickly and with so few tools and no specialised equipment. (no tools needed for the speedo if you're lucky).

I think you are wise to live with a slightly discoloured cover on the speedo, but don't worry that this job would challenge you beyond our ability to talk you through it.:spin:

 

[Vitesse]

I think Tony Vitesse has done a good job on this.

I did and it is as everyone else mentioned fairly straightforward. I wanted to just change the chrome ring as it was corroded and because my clear dial was MPH. I haven't seen spare ones sold anywhere in MPH.

I even went to the extent of touching up where transfer was damaged by the lights indicator and on the zero figure in the picture below with some special paint.