One more thing when ordering the 14 tooth gear from odometergears.com I found they also have an in depth write up on how to do this,pics and all.Who knew?

The only way to remove the gear was to take the needle and face plate off.I also had to unscrew some screws under the face plate to remove another gear that is in front of the odometer gear.I did not listen to Bulletproof and the needle went flying across the garage and yes it broke.Reseting the milage counter was easy.I carefully pushed the pin that holds all the number wheels in place to one side and removed all the wheels noting which order they are in.When reinstalling the wheels it is a matter of pushing the pin in enough to place a wheel on it,snug it to the side.Above is a row of smaller gears.So move one small gear over,then another number wheel,another small gear,etc. Make sure you keep the number wheels snug to each other.If you don't they tend to slide out of place and when you put the face on the numbers will not line up evenly.I had to do this twice to get it right.I did all this work on my spare.I will repair this one and use the needle off of the running car.Hope this helps someone.I guess odometergears.com is the place for the broken part?

If the odometer is like that from an '80 240 or prior, there may be no need to pull the needle. (I don't recall needing to pull the needle.)

Take a look at the back of the unit and look at the plastic gear. It may be cracked and, having lost its grip, spinning on the shaft. Remove it carefully and glue it. I put 'o-rings', made from washer hose tubing, on the 'shoulders' of the gear to hold it together.

On installation, use a drop of Locktite to help the gear maintain its grip on the shaft.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb but electronic ignition and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.

Take heed of the first reply and lift the needle over the stop. Note where it comes to rest. Replace it in the same position.

I can't envision what tool you mean but remember that the faceplate is thin and prying with a lever can leave an indentation unless you protect it. Work in a box or a sack. I know that sounds weird but the needle may go flying once it yields. Best to contain it.

Also, the faceplate screws are brass and easy to tear up. Be firm, but be careful.

It is easier to change the mileage than indicated below. I can't describe it at the moment but if you need help post back.

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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon

Nel621, I was planning on looking for a recent post regarding the early cluster/speedo --posted by you?--so I could report my own findings having just taken apart the speedo to repair the odometer on a 1980 245.
I can't tell you if I did things correctly but both the odo and tripmeter are working again. I did have one of these apart long ago but the fix was different and it left me with no tripmeter. At that time I ripped out the drive to the tripmeter as it always stopped on the same digit. At the time I had no idea what was actually wrong--it made me dizzy to try to follow the path of motion--never did pinpoint an AHA! Guess it was sheer luck but the odometer started working again.
This time the tripmeter always stopped between .8 and .9 and I intended to do as I had done before. On taking it apart it seemed the drive to the auxiliary service counter seemed very stiff. I eliminated it and spun the first drive gear to advance the miles---it has lost over 5,000 miles in the past year or so. The digits advanced to what I thought an appropriate 268+. At that point I buttoned it up and it is all working.
Caveats---I couldn't see anyway to remove the speedo needle but to just pry it upward. I have no idea how they get attached. The needle came loose leaving the spindle post. The spindle is spring loaded and will settle in a position that would have the needle pointing straight down. I had pulled the 0 stop pin to see where the needle would rotate. The pin stop is sort of a rivet--no chance of these fat fingers dealing with such a tiny piece--that and the speedo needle----a touch of super glue for each seemed to suffice. I gave the glue overnight to cure. Good Luck---Dave