Speedometer is not working and I really do not see anything wrong with this. Am I missing something? The speedo turns when I spin the gear on the end of the cable. The end of the cable looks square, flat, whatever, like it should and inside the gear the hole appears to be square also so I don't really think the cable is slipping inside the gear. I thought the gear in the transfer case was metal so I wouldn't think that was the problem either. I stuck my finger in there and could feel the teeth so I know it's in there. Yes they are cheap enough to order but I don't really want to if that's not what's wrong. Maybe someone knows what this should look like better than I.

 

Your driven gear looks okay to me. You say the speedo turns when you spin the gear on the end of the cable; so it doesn't sound like the inner cable is binding.

The drive gear on the tailshaft of the transfer case is a nylon/ plastic gear. At least it was on my '88. It has been a few years since I tool it apart, but it seems like there is a ball bearing of about 5/16" that locks the drive gear and the tailshaft together.

It isn't too bad a job to take the tailshaft cover off and take a peek at things, IIRC six or eight bolts once you get the rear driveshaft off.

Robert

 

that drive gear has a bit of wear to it. you can see a slight cup on the gears. if the drive gear in the tailshaft has the same amount of wear on it, that could be enough to make the speedometer not work.
i would try a new cable gear first, it may solve the problem. it don't take a lot of wear to make them not work.

 

Thank you both for your replies. My local brake guy, who used to be a Ford mechanic told me the t-case gear was metal. It felt metal when I stuck my finger in there, but I'm not positive. I was assuming it would still grab unless there were virtually no teeth on it but I guess that's not correct. I'll go ahead and order another driven gear and give it a whirl.

 

Well, new gear installed still nada. Before I tear into the t-case I was wondering if the clip that holds the gear to the cable could be causing me problems? It looked like it was just there to keep the gear from sliding off the end of the cable, but does it serve any other purpose? And does it matter which way it faces? I didn't pay much attention when I took it off but I can't really see that it would matter, it seats way.

 

the clip is just to keep the gear from falling off. the cable end is square, and the hole in the gear is square.
so the gear will drive the cable.

 

That's what I thought, thanks. Guess I'm going to have to dig into the transfer case.