Anyone know how to remove the shift indicator needle from a 1968 98?
The manual only says "remove it". I dropped the cover under the
steering column and didnt see any way to get i t out.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!!
-B

 

It should be connected to the column collar that rotates by a clip-on wire. The needle itself is part of the center gage pod [speedo] so you'd probably have to extract the speedo or the entire dash assembly to get at the clip that holds the needle to the pod. Speedo cable unscrews at the speedometer. A couple 1/4" tool size super short screws hold the pod to the dash plastic.

Oops that's A-body.
I just grabbed a 68? Big Car fuel gage pod that was handy- for securing the pod to the dash, it has two studs that are in line with the pod axis. Presumably nuts of tool size 11/32 or 3/8 hold these.

Then there's the wiring connector that allows you to easily break the pins off the pod's circuit board.

What started this project again? Why?

Also, you might need to use a smooth tool like a butter knife of similar around the pod OD to get it past the padded dash part as you extract it to the rear.

Don't forget to drop the steering column and disconnect the clip/wire first... You go the COVER off, then there's oh 2 or 3 large nuts like 5/8 tool size, and a steel plate. Sometimes that's enough, sometimes you must also loosen or remove the seal plate from column to firewall so the column is free to drop down. Hell, by now you just a couple steps from removing the column entirely. Might as well do a frame off restoration!

:=)

 

The indicator is a part of the steering column. If I remember correctly, it sticks out the top, but has a big curve and actually is screwed to the bottom of the shifter collar, so you unscrew the screw (sheetmetal screw with a ¼" hex top with a standard screwdriver slot) and gently work the needle off / out of the shifter collar.

- Eric

 

Thanks for the replies - I did a dash restoration last spring and bent/scratched the needle pretty bad. I bought an NOS needle on ebay and want to install it. When I took the cover off under the steering column I can see where the end of the needle goes into a collat but can't see any retainig screw. If I have to drop the steering column I might just learn to live with it...;-(

- B

 

PS - I'll look more closely for the screw - I might have missed it.

 

The clip goes over the edge of the shifter collar and pinches the collar from both sides, and should have a screw through it.

- Eric