I believe he replaced the shaft and another small plastic part in the
mechanism with VDO replacement parts (not available at the consumer level,
AFAIK). In my case, the gear eventually broke loose from the roughened shaft
and three different superglue formulations were worthless. Wouldn't stick to
shaft. When I was considering how to prepare the shaft surface with a
roughening etch, SWMBO can in the kitchen and said words to the effect of get
the GD thing fixed by someone who knows what they are doing. I acquiesced,
and savoring the bitter wine of defeat (Napoleon crossing the Vistula) I
picked up the phone ... Then about a year later, as she was driving, I heard
"I see your odometer is still working". Being subtle in her sarcasm, the
gloating nature of the remark was difficult to discern. Only the asymmetric
smile revealed the true intent!

Frank Grunthaner