Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Group Buy New thread for Sunroof Gear

Yeah, replacing the gear should be no problem so long as it works to spec. If there is a high demand for a how with pictures, I could probably get around to doing that the next time I am home from college. I still have my old motor sitting in a box at home after replacing it this past summer (thanks to Bill J for hooking me up with a deal)

I got the new gear in the mail today. I'll see if I can try it out tonight.

Thanks,
Rick

I hope this gear fix works. I contacted the numbnuts at Ford for a price on the intire drive motor assembly. $306.00 was the number that they gave me. After cleaning up the brick I shat, I realized that there is no way I could afford it. Thank you for the work you are doing and keep us posted on the new gear.

For an update, we tried the second gear and met with a similar material failure. What we're running into is the amount of stress on the gear with the metal worm drive is surpassing the strength of the standard resin Jeff is using. He's getting a sample of some glass reinforced resin sent to him to see if we can get a stronger gear. Currently fitment of the gear is excellent and the material is the only issue we're working with right now.

I should have a new gear with the new material for testing this week. If you would, please start a list of people waiting to buy so I can get a feel for how many total we're looking at as that will help in determining the final cost for the initial buy (copy and paste). With the original material we were looking at $50 each (shipped in the US) for 30-50 total gears.

Thanks,
Rick

Rick...and others,

I need to step in here and make sure we are on the same page. When I talked with you this weekend, I thought I said I would like to handle the group buy myself, ie.. mailing, order taking and the works. I just don't want any confusion going on. Any transaction between you and me is another issue and has nothing to do with this "Group Buy". As for the gear you lent me, we agreed that I would send you a new gear, that worked of course, and your original back.

Again, I just want to make sure we are on the same page. We talked about different things previously. It seems like I am starting to miss something and good communication is the key to a successful business.

As for an update on the progress of the gear, I am getting two completely different materials in this week. I have been in discussion with my chemist. I explained exactly what is going on and he thinks he has the material for me. By next weekend, I will hopefully have a new gear to be tested that will work like a charm.

The issue of price has come up in several previous posts. I have not been able to state a fixed price yet and that is probably why Rick has stated AROUND $50. I have told him several different things and as I change to different materials and invest more time, I finally stated to him that I just don't know yet. I am still working towards a great price for all of you but I just can't say yet until it's made and works. When I say that I back up my product for life, I mean that. As for quantity, the group doesn't need to order a lot. If it turns out to be four people, I will give you my best wholesale price that I can. I am honored that a group of enthusiasts care enough about their cars that they would come to me for this job.

Other concerns about making the gear out of metal... Yes it is possible to do but very impractical from a cost perspective. Also, as I try to match my resins with the strength of the original plastic gear, you really don't know what they have engineered inregards to a breaking point. You certainly don't want your motor to burn up and cause a fire. This is assuming Ford thought of this in the first place.

Once the gear is right, and I have several people trying them, I'll open a "buying" time period. Anyone who emails me during this time will get the "Group Price". Any one after the deadline, I am sorry, you will have the regular retail price that will be posted on my website.

I hope this is a fair way to do it. Any comments anyone might have should be aired in the open on this thread so all can see. I want this to be an open discussion so everyone is well informed about what you are buying.



Thanks,


Jeff Caplan
Odometer Gears LTD
757-593-3478

Odometer Gears LTD

I'm definitely interested.

Funny thing is we all gripe about Ford and their parts, but we seem to be finding out that duplicating them isn't that easy. My little plastic gearset served me faithfully for 8 years, and I can certainly understand why you'd want to use plastic over metal. (Just not sure if I'm smart enough to explain it...)

Anyway, Jeff, I'm glad you're on the case, and I hope you are successful. I have the luxury of patience, since my roof will probably work fine til about August.

Thanks Jeff !

Keep us posted, hopefully the new resins work out.

Thank you for developping this, and your honest, candid discussion. I know I am in when they are ready....

Somebody put me on a list!