steering wheel - blinker switch clearance?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
steering wheel - blinker switch clearance?
My brother in law bought me this steering wheel for my '70
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1719
I've come to the conclusion that my steering column is definatley not the correct one, but it works... only problem is that with this new wheel, I've only got about a 1/4" between the wheel and the blinker lever.... what a PITA to drive. I've gotten used to it, but this is the only reason my father dosnt drive the car (maybe for the better
).... but I feel its dangerous. I'd like to fix it. Should I bend the lever, or buy a new wheel with a dish to it? The wheel we took out of it was BIG, and I couldnt fit my leg between the seat and the bottom of the wheel. plus it was all old and sticky. 
what would be the best way to go about bending the blinker lever without damaging anything? Should I disassemble the column and remove the lever? How hard is that to do?
Thanks
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...dept%5Fid=1719
I've come to the conclusion that my steering column is definatley not the correct one, but it works... only problem is that with this new wheel, I've only got about a 1/4" between the wheel and the blinker lever.... what a PITA to drive. I've gotten used to it, but this is the only reason my father dosnt drive the car (maybe for the better
).... but I feel its dangerous. I'd like to fix it. Should I bend the lever, or buy a new wheel with a dish to it? The wheel we took out of it was BIG, and I couldnt fit my leg between the seat and the bottom of the wheel. plus it was all old and sticky. what would be the best way to go about bending the blinker lever without damaging anything? Should I disassemble the column and remove the lever? How hard is that to do?
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Chrome plated steel - can be bent - may chip chrome if bent too much.
I'm fairly sure it us screwed onto the blinker switch assembly in the column.
If bending, try to support externally - don't rely on the column guts.
I had a freind bend one. He was 6'6" and his knee would hit the lever.
He bent his, but was considering cutting it shorter.
The rubber end should slide off to do so.
I'm fairly sure it us screwed onto the blinker switch assembly in the column.
If bending, try to support externally - don't rely on the column guts.
I had a freind bend one. He was 6'6" and his knee would hit the lever.
He bent his, but was considering cutting it shorter.
The rubber end should slide off to do so.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by ESC3
What happened to the adapter between the wheel and column?
there wasnt one.... this column definatley isnt from my car.
NHVette- I took a look at it thinking I could grab it real close to the column with a pair of plyers and bend away, but there isnt much room. The bend thats already in the lever is basically even with the column case. Plus, I would think that heating it up would make it much easier to do without chipping off the coating. How much do I have do dig into the column to take out the lever?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
If it's a Grant or LaCarra wheel or similar you can get spacer adaptors for it.Local parts houses should have a book,or try the place you got the wheel,and if that doesn't work,try some of the major Street Rod parts suppliers.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by superdad60
Same deal here
Support the base and go gently with a bend
Everytime I turned the blinker was activated
Now...Perfect
Scared the hell out of me to try but it is just time and money
Support the base and go gently with a bend
Everytime I turned the blinker was activated
Now...Perfect
Scared the hell out of me to try but it is just time and money
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Originally Posted by ESC3
What happened to the adapter between the wheel and column?
Bending should do it. If not, GM has made several different levers- start by looking at the 67 Corvette lever.
I put the Grant polished al./black leather on the 77 several years ago.
It put the turn lever in the perfect position & made a use for the integrated column dimmer- to move turn lever further away.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 113
From: Saginaw Michigan
With a T&T column, you just unscrew the lever.
With the non-adjustable standard steering column, the turn signal lever is held in place by a single screw. You need to remove the steering wheel and use a puller to remove the hub. There should be a metal or plastic cover covering the locking plate. Remove it. There should be an access hole in the locking plate. You may need to rotate the steering shaft to align the access hole with the screw holding the turn signal lever. Be very carefull! If you drop the screw inside the column, you will have a lot more to disassemble to get it back out.
Jim
With the non-adjustable standard steering column, the turn signal lever is held in place by a single screw. You need to remove the steering wheel and use a puller to remove the hub. There should be a metal or plastic cover covering the locking plate. Remove it. There should be an access hole in the locking plate. You may need to rotate the steering shaft to align the access hole with the screw holding the turn signal lever. Be very carefull! If you drop the screw inside the column, you will have a lot more to disassemble to get it back out.
Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by Jim Shea
With a T&T column, you just unscrew the lever.
With the non-adjustable standard steering column, the turn signal lever is held in place by a single screw. You need to remove the steering wheel and use a puller to remove the hub. There should be a metal or plastic cover covering the locking plate. Remove it. There should be an access hole in the locking plate. You may need to rotate the steering shaft to align the access hole with the screw holding the turn signal lever. Be very carefull! If you drop the screw inside the column, you will have a lot more to disassemble to get it back out.
Jim
With the non-adjustable standard steering column, the turn signal lever is held in place by a single screw. You need to remove the steering wheel and use a puller to remove the hub. There should be a metal or plastic cover covering the locking plate. Remove it. There should be an access hole in the locking plate. You may need to rotate the steering shaft to align the access hole with the screw holding the turn signal lever. Be very carefull! If you drop the screw inside the column, you will have a lot more to disassemble to get it back out.
Jim
thanks Jim, sounds like its not too difficult... I'd rather remove it to do the bending so I dont end up breaking anything else. That way I'd be able to use a little heat as well to make things a little easier.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,387
Likes: 2
From: Meriden CT
Originally Posted by NHvette
Glad Jim answered that one.
Jim - so the TT lever is threaded at the end ... just twist to remove ??
I was obviously recalling my experiences with fixed GM columns.
Jim - so the TT lever is threaded at the end ... just twist to remove ??
I was obviously recalling my experiences with fixed GM columns.
thanks again for all the help fella's.
