is this common or just bad luck

[branden0502]

so last night i removed my speedo for the second time to replace the worm gear for the odometer, and as i was putting the gear on it crumbled into pieces on me.

Now this is the second gear that this has happened to on, both where pulled from wrecked explorers. So my question is is this what I should expect since they are old and used and this is kind of what happens in the first place or have I just had really bad luck with these gears. Im really close to just ordering the ones from www.odometergears.com but i figured I would check with you guys first.

Thanks

 

[Dan Whitaker]

The plastic turns brittle over the years and is not uncomman for them to shatter.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

This is very common with Mustangs built in
the 90's. Parts yard gears are probably not
going to last long, so I'd go with a new gear.

 

[branden0502]

thanks for the info guys. i guess ill order it tomarrow.

 

[cloud2or3]

Same issue with my Cougar