98 Stratus Bucking/Surging

[gc2139]

I have 98 Stratus 2.0L 5sp. about two weeks ago the whole instrument panel went dead while driving. When it came back on everything works except for speedo gauge. While driving later that day the car started surging and bucking while driving steady, I had to press in the clutch and give it alot of revs then it went away. I put a OBD II reader on it checked code it give the varible speed sensor (VSS) code. I put a new vss sensor it. But the speedo gauge still not working. There is a gear in the tranny that the vss snaps onto that showed signs of worn teeth. I will replace this part also. The Haynes manual for this car saids that this gear can be removed though the sensor hole, no such luck! the gear is slightly bigger than the hole will have to force it out and put in a new one. This may be directly tried to surging problem.