Aircooled VW South Africa

You can make a removal tool from a cir-clip pliers, the one that opens the clip when pressing the handles

You weld a flat plate on both sides, and make a slot for the shaft.

Then you press against the clock face and under the needle, and if you lucky, 6 out 0f 10 times, it will come off.

have binned a few clocks this way, thats why I say leave it if you can

Herman

Thanks for the advice gents!

I was starting to doubt if these needles actually press into position, or if they are fixed in some other way. Knowing they need to be pulled off, helps a lot. I have applied quite a bit of force without success, so guess a little more is needed...

Nice idea for a removal tool Herman, I'll give it a try.

maybe I am missing this, but if you need a special pair of pliers to pull the needle off, why not just use one of those cheap wire stripper tools? OK, maybe it wont fit but you can bend it in the vice.
You'll have a nice flat surface and a couple of different sized holes to choose from...

That will work as well Tony, but if you have a jack action under the needle, you do not have the possibility of bending the shaft if you slip.

But as you say, many ways to remove an appendix...

Herman

Tony, your idea will work as well. You'll need two hands to hold the wire stripper, and an extra set of hands to hold gauge. At least there will be someone else to blame if it all goes wrong

Riaan, when I redid my 356 clocks, I used a kitchen fork, slid it under the needle all the way down, there is plenty material supporting the pin, and just start pulling. It will eventually pop off. (Well, mine did, on the SPeedo and the Rev counter.)

regards

Alan

Thanks for the advice Alan. I'll work up enough courage, and give it a go.