The Speedo/Angle Drive - DeLorean gods hate my car...

[kajcienski]

Okay, I'm on my 3rd complete speedo/angle set in 200 miles (working). PLUS a 4th partial replacement. Why do the DeLorean gods hate me? What the heck did I do to piss them off? Here is what happens... About 30-70 miles (average) of the replacement, the speedo bounces a bit, clicks, then goes dead. Of the 4 fixes, there were variations on the dying process, but basically the same. The first was replaced by one vendor (the greatest DMC franchise guys we all love on the planet), the next by another DeLorean specialist, the 3rd by a regular shop, and the 4th partial replacement by the first vendor. I feel that the install is irrelevant since 3 vendors were involved. I also know that the original DMCH kit does not have a great track record. But really... 30-70 miles a kit? In 2 instances, the cap came off. The other times, I didn't ask and should have. The Lamda box has been removed for power steering so I can only assume there is something funky at the wheel. Any ideas guys? Or is there a vendor still making an upgraded angle drive/speedo? (I know there have been several over they ears but stopped making them to my knowledge). ANY help would be much appreciated. I don't mind the speedo not working, but it screws up the operation of the power steering. HELP! I can't do another angle drive...

Sincerely,
Sleepless in New York

[jawn101]

Bummer, Matt. Sorry to hear about this, I don't have anything in particular to offer except my sympathy and perhaps to bump the thread for you :)

[sdg3205]

Remove the lambda counter. It's probably contributing a lot of resistance

Edit - ignore. I skimmed.

What about resistance at the speedo?

Fix it but don't plug it into the speedo behind the binnacle. See what happens.

[Michael]

4 in 200 miles? You have definitely got something wearing those things out. Either your speedo itself is bad but my money is something with the power steering speed sensor causing too resistance(I'm assuming since you brought it up, it has a speed sensor for the PS?)

I doubt it's a angle drive issue at this point...I know its a weak point but really, 4 in 200 miles should tell you it's not the angle drive. I have almost 20k on mine that I bought back in early 2009.

[WelmoedJ]

You didn't mention next:
- Was the first angle drive replaced with the "old" system still on the car (no power steering, with Lambda box)?
- Or, were alle replacements of the AD while you had power steering ?

If the first applies, you may have a damaged guide (inside of the axle) where the AD drive rod runs through.
You may also have a shorter guide which makes the rod causes too much pressure inside the AD, eventually locking the mechanism.
You may have a speedo cable that is fixed too tightly to the AD, causing internal pressure in the AD and causing failure.

Have you been able to check all parts involved to see which one (or more) had signs of damage/wear?
That may point you to the part causing the failure.

BTW: To my knowledge, Martin Gutkowsky in the UK may still have newly designed ADs.

[kajcienski]

You didn't mention next:
- Was the first angle drive replaced with the "old" system still on the car (no power steering, with Lambda box)?
- Or, were alle replacements of the AD while you had power steering ?

If the first applies, you may have a damaged guide (inside of the axle) where the AD drive rod runs through.
You may also have a shorter guide which makes the rod causes too much pressure inside the AD, eventually locking the mechanism.
You may have a speedo cable that is fixed too tightly to the AD, causing internal pressure in the AD and causing failure.

Have you been able to check all parts involved to see which one (or more) had signs of damage/wear?
That may point you to the part causing the failure.

BTW: To my knowledge, Martin Gutkowsky in the UK may still have newly designed ADs.


Yes, should have clarified. The first 3 failures were before the power steering and ran through the LAMBDA box. Thanks for the information. It seems the guide is something to check as you mentioned. The reason why they failed was never really looked into (diagnostics), just replaced the whole system figuring I got a bad one. As mentioned, the dust cover was missing in 2 of the cases. In the last partial replacement, the cable was spinning freely from the angle drive up to the speedo so only the missing cap was put on.

[Chris 16409]

Check out this website, it's where Martin had his made.

http://www.speedograph-richfield.com/

Martin is no longer selling them, but you can now buy them direct. I don't believe the Deloean is listed on the site, but you can call or email.

[David T]

Yes, should have clarified. The first 3 failures were before the power steering and ran through the LAMBDA box. Thanks for the information. It seems the guide is something to check as you mentioned. The reason why they failed was never really looked into (diagnostics), just replaced the whole system figuring I got a bad one. As mentioned, the dust cover was missing in 2 of the cases. In the last partial replacement, the cable was spinning freely from the angle drive up to the speedo so only the missing cap was put on.

One one car I fixed that went through different parts in the speedometer drive system the culprit turned out to be in the speedometer head. A plastic post broke off inside and the steel clip that was still attached had jammed itself against the magnet making it difficult for the drive to turn the head. Not noticeable when you turned it slowly by hand but was enough to ruin parts. Before replacing any more parts I would suggest you remove and disassemble the head.
David Teitelbaum

[BABIS]

Check out this website, it's where Martin had his made.

http://www.speedograph-richfield.com/

Martin is no longer selling them, but you can now buy them direct. I don't believe the Deloean is listed on the site, but you can call or email.

I believe I have bought their last unit :chairfall:

[chris williams]

I believe I have bought their last unit
We do have a batch on order, though thay have been on order for some months now!
Chris

[BABIS]

We do have a batch on order, though thay have been on order for some months now!
Chris

good to know ;) when I bought mine they specifically told me that it was the last one they had...