Spedo on an NP205

[gamfa]

I have a truck that has what I believe to be a pre 1980 NP205 t-case in
it and the speedo output shaft doesn't seem to be engaging into anything
on the rear output shaft. On the assembly drawing I have on the 205 it
appears that I can access the speedo drive gear by removing the rear oil
seal retainer plate, then a snap ring and bearing. Am I correct on
this and can this be done with the unit still in the truck.? What keeps
the drive gear attached to the output shaft?

[wyldman]

You can get at it by removing the stuff you described.It's right under the bearing,and has a small spacer in front of it.

It can be done quite easily in the truck.

Are you sure it's that,and not the cable ?

[gamfa]

I put a new cable in because the speedo wasn't working and the cable that was on the truck had been fried on the exhaust pipe. I proudly jumped in and fired her up an took a spin to see how well it worked and was very disappointed. I got the wife out to watch the dial in the cab and I disconnected the cable and rotated the cable between my fingers and she said the speedo jumped so I believe the gage is good. I reached up and tried to rotate the drive shaft with a pair of needle nose and I was able to rotate with no problem. That didn't look good. I then removed the nut holding the shaft in and checked the drive shaft and it looks fine. I placed it back in and held it as centered as I could and rotated it and it spun very easily with no resistance. Is it possible to have that pup apart and NOT put that gear back in? That may sound like a stupid question but this girl has an "Assembled from Parts" title and there has been some strange stuff to deal with. I believe the guy might have a couple of 5 gal. buckets of parts around if he's still alive somewhere.

[wyldman]

It is possible that the speedo drive gear was left out,or the spacer that locates it.When you pull it off,there should be a spacer just ahead of the plastic gear,to keep it in the right place.

I think at this point,disassembly is the only way to find out.

[gamfa]

You say the drive gear is plastic? I would never have dreamed it would be plastic from that era. If there is a spacer that holds it in position along the shaft, what keys it to the shaft?

Just checked the drawing I have and it shows the snap ring and the bearing and the drive gear but no spacer.

[wyldman]

Geez,now your really testing me :D

Most of the gear are plastic,but i have seen them made of bronze alloy on some of the older models.If i remember correctly the gear on a 205 is splined onto the shaft,the same splines for the yoke.

If not,there is sometimes a small clip,that sits in a hole in the shaft,and under a slot on the gear.

The spacer sits in front of the speedo gear,up against the bearing for the large low speed gear in the back of the case.

[gamfa]

Thanks for the help. It will be next week before I have time to work with it again. I will let you know what I find.

[gamfa]

wyldman...

I FINALLY found the tag on my NP205. The build date is 11/15/78. Does this change anything in the procedure.

They couldn't have put that tag in a worst spot. I thought I was going to have to take the front drive shaft off to get it clean enough to read it. I guess they had their reasons.

[wyldman]

It shouldn't change anything.

[gamfa]

The drive gear was stripped. Mr. Goodwrench said he would have one for me Fri.

Thanks for the help