I'm installing a new speedometer gear in my 93 camaro, and I can't get it to work . The gear on the tailshaft was installed before I got the car, and it is on securely. The driven gear on the vehicle speed sensor is the gear I am installing. I have put it into the transmission probably about 10 times now and cannot get a reading from the speedometer. I took the gear off of the VSS and put a drill on it, and it works fine . What could I be missing/forgetting to do? Could I need some sort of spacer to line the gears up? This is driving me nuts!

BTW both gears are the red gears (3.23 rearend car)

 

Are you changing the speedo gears 'cause you did a gear change in the back?

When I had my '81 and I switched from 2.56's to 3.42's, I had to change the speedo drive gears too. Not only did I have to change both gears (the one on the tailshaft, and the one in from the side of the tranny) but I had to change the little "hub" piece (I don't know what to call it?! ) that the outer speedo gear slides into, and that the speedo cable connects to.....whatever that "piece" is, I had to change it too. I guess the reason is because they are built eccentric, so the speedo gear that goes in from the side isn't centered on that piece...it's offset somewhat, so if you're doing a big gear change, it'll have to be shifted over one way or the other.

...understand what I mean??

It's kind of the same principle as why they have 2-series and 3-series carriers for the differential.

 

thanks for the reply....by "hub piece" do you mean the shaft on the VSS?

I'm installing the new gear because the tranny was rebuilt and the new speedo gears weren't installed

 

Oh, ok. Are you using the original stuff, or did you buy new speedo gears for it? If so, did you double check that the gears all have the same # of teeth on them?

That piece I'm talking about.....I guess it's the VSS? It's the piece that sticks into the tranny that the speedo cable (or wire on the newer ones? ) plugs onto. You slide the speedo gear into that piece too, right? Then it inserts into the side of the tranny. Well, there are different versions of that piece.....they are made to different offsets to correspond to what speedo gears you're using. If you've got all the original parts, then everything should go back together without a problem. That piece can turn 360* though, but I think there's a mark where it's supposed to be lined up, and a little metal tab screws into the tranny and holds it in place.....you got all that stuff?

 

I'll have to check tomorrow when I work on it again, because if it can be rotated out of place than it probably is When I removed the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) the first time I twisted it somewhat to make it easier to come out, I guess I need to go back and find the proper alignment for it. The metal hold down tab is there, however it rotates all the way around the vss so thats not gonna help me line it up.

Thanks for the help

it never fails I have more problems with the "simple" installs/fixes