Not the gap between the gears, but between the teeth!
The cracked-through gear ends up having a gap between two of its teeth.
This causes problems meshing as the wider-spaced teeth begin engaging with
the good other gear.

Mike B.

-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel Rotblatt
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 5:14 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: odometer fixed

Zoltan,

I don't see why there should be a change in  the gap between the gears in
this case.  The gear that's sliding (due to a crack on one side of it) is on
the end of the shaft outside of the housing that the cluster of gears is in.
It and the worm gear are the only two gears sitting out there.  Once in
place it should move the worm gear just fine.

Dan
Los Angeles, CA
'85 Westy Weekender

On Jun 13, 2011, at 7:38 PM, HotelWestfalia wrote:

> It ususally does not work to do that.  Even if you glue it in.  The
> widening of the gap between the gears makes the gear to bump into the worm
> gear and stop working.  You would need to trim the top of the early gears
> and some sides too.  Not easy, needs patience.  The gear is available
> online at some places I don't remember.  If you find the place let us know
> too, please.  In the Vanagon instruments there are two, at least,
> different gears working with different number of teeth.
> Zoltan
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Daniel Rotblatt"
> <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 1:56 PM
> Subject: Re: odometer fixed
>
>
>> I agree, nothing like tinkering with intricate devices that we have no
>> idea how to fix!  I just pulled mine a couple of weeks ago and the little
>> gear on the side that engages a worm gear had a small crack in it and had
>> slid off the worm gear.  I just pushed it back into place and I'll see
>> how long it works.  When it stops again, I'll try some epoxy or super
>> glue...
>>
>> Dan
>> Los Angeles, CA
>> '85 Westy Weekender
>>
>> On Jun 13, 2011, at 8:20 AM, Mike Miller wrote:
>>
>