Removing Clock Arms

[TomoHawk]

I have a set of new gauge faces for my  1978 280Z, and I started with the clock, since it seems to be the simplest gauge.

But, the arms don't want to come off easily, like the pointer for the speed meter will.

Is there a trick to getting the clock arms off?  IIRC, the speed meter and rev counter pointer will come off easily, and the other gauges (volts/fuel,  and oil/water) have enough room under the pointers to slip the labels under.

[cgsheen1]

They press on - so the key is just care and patience.   The metal is thin and easily bent.  

[rcb280z]

1 hour ago, cgsheen1 said:

care and patience.

....and lots of it. I was nervous when I did a set but after removing a couple I got comfortable with it.

[TomoHawk]

Those little sucker seem to be tight on there, not like they are on a cheap battery-powered wall clock:

Edited October 4, 2018 by TomoHawk

[rcb280z]

IIRC the clock was the most difficult. Go slow!

But I can't remember how I did it. Sorry I couldn't be of more help

Edited October 4, 2018 by rcb280z

[rcb280z]

I probably just, between my thumb and forefinger, "wiggled" it back and forth slightly til it broke lose. I think that's how I did it, thinking about it some more.

[TomoHawk]

That's what I did.  It seemed to be 'rusted on" a bit, so I turned the arms slightly to break them free, and they came off.  I just wish those little screws holding the rubberized bracket to the case would come off, so I could pull the clockworks out to paint the inside.

I'll paint it anyway- very slowly!

[german240]

A good trick is to use a spoon or fork (whatever fits better) as a lever. Usually it pops right off (at least it was like this with my clock). ?

[26th-Z]

You will need a gauge needle puller.

[cgsheen1]

OMG...  I didn't know such a thing existed - but of  course, you can buy them on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/MagiDeal-Pressure-Pointer-Caliper-Lifting/dp/B07GLB3MNL/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538673176&sr=8-1&keywords=gauge+needle+puller

[cgsheen1]

13 hours ago, TomoHawk said:

...  I just wish those little screws holding the rubberized bracket to the case would come off, so I could pull the clockworks out to paint the inside.

I'll paint it anyway- very slowly!

That's too bad...  I've taken apart several clocks and I've always been able to get the mechanism loose and away from  the case.

I've painted all my gauge cases white inside and it's amazing what it does for gauge illumination!  I've never need higher wattage bulbs in my 260Z...

[TomoHawk]

WE have been changing the filament bulbs to LEDs, and it  increases the illumination that much more, plus changing the rheostat to an electronic dimmer control.