Putting a new face on old AD gauges

[GeorgeLeonard]

I bought a pair of old AD gauges today to try to figure out how they come apart to put new overlay type dials on them. They dont appear to be easily disassembled. In fact, they are assembled and then crimped to hold them together. The only thing I can figure out is to stick a small screwdriver in there and carefully try to pry them apart. Does anyone have a better idea because I just know Im going to break these by trying?

[FiftyTwo]

You're on the right track. The chrome trim is crimped in place. Use a small screwdriver and bend the crimped areas up, then the chrome dial trim comes right off.

[mr48chev]

That's how I did it when I needed to replace the needle on one. go around it with a small screwdriver and gently pry the lip up and then go around again with a slightly larger screwdriver and keep working until you get it out. That's the easy part, the real fun starts when you go to put it back together. The last time I did it I think I just sat the speedometer on a flat smooth surface and pushed the lip back down with a screwdriver or tool with a that I could push it down and worked my way around.

[GeorgeLeonard]

Thank you. Thats what I figured. Ill just go slow and try not to break anything. That is how you learn, right?

[Clay54]

Did you get my PM?

Clay

[GeorgeLeonard]

Yes, and thank you very much. It was very helpful.

[RootBeer 6117]

I read this on hamb a few weeks ago
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...ussionid=24263

[Root2812]

To remove the needle I suspeded the gauge upside down with the needle in some penetrating fluid for a while. Then I loosened the guage face and had my father hold the gauge housing while I grabbed the sides of the gauge face and pulled up. The guage face will rest against the needle and apply even pressure where prying could break it. After that refacing the guage face is easy. The last thing was to put the new needle on to the part of the needle that the pin goes into.
That worked for me.