Odometer Reset Knob

[Steve M.]

I have a 1969 350/350 HP Corvette that has a oil leak where a drop collects on the knob that one uses to reset the trip odometer. Any ideas on where this is coming from before I start into taking apart the dash?

Thanks for any help or ideas,
Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: Odometer Reset Knob

Steve-----

The only thing that I can think that might cause it would be that someone tried to "lubricate" the trip odometer reset shaft assembly and overlubed it. I don't know how someone would have done this since the shaft assembly is not designed to be lubed. However, maybe some of the factory lube is leaking out. I don't think that there's much in there so the drops should stop soon.

[Wayne K.]

Re: Odometer Reset Knob

Steve,

I don't know if this is possible but if the oil smells like gear lube then perhaps the speedo cable seal at the tranny has failed and it is augering trans lube up the cable and dripping down landing on the reset cable ending up on the knob. I had a 70 that this seal failed and my wife always got PO'ed when she would find oil stains on pants legs.

Wayne

[Dick W.]

Re: Odometer Reset Knob

I thought that all American cars had speedometer cables that were spiral wound to "auger" the oil back into the gear box. I thought that some early Jag's were the only one that would oil your pants.

[Wayne K.]

Maybe it was because I drove in reverse a lot.

Hi Dick,

Just kidding about driving in reverse but not about the oiled pants. It definitely was coming from the speedo cable. I removed the cable to clean the oil out and replaced the seals and gear at the tranny. I also had to soak the speedo head in alcohol to draw the oil out. It was either doing the above or wear shorts until I sold the car. My wife has never given me many choices when it comes to eliminating more work for her.