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79 C3 Dimmer Pivot Replacement

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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 09:10 PM
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Default 79 C3 Dimmer Pivot Replacement

Need help removing and replacing the dimmer pivot in a 1979 C3 T&T steering column.
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 07:30 AM
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It is best if you pull your steering column from the car and work on it on a bench. I have always found it to be much easier to remove the turn signal switch and wiring if the column is out of the car. (You are going to need to remove the turn signal switch and turn signal switch housing in order to get at the pin that holds the dimmer pivot in place.)

Here are three sets of papers that take you from removing your steering wheel, to pulling the steering column, through removing the turn signal switch housing and dimmer pivot.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?p=1004

Here are are some drawings to help.

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...ev02oc2010.pdf

Good luck,
Jim
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 10:19 PM
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Wow, thank you Jim, looks like a lot of work.

Kenny
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 10:28 PM
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I just did the dimmer pivot last week, with the help of Jim and his articles. Its not that bad of job. I left the column in the car and it was tricky pulling the turn signal harness out. But overall it looks a lot harder than it is.
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Old Mar 7, 2012 | 10:45 PM
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How did you do that with it still in the column, very intensive?
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Old Mar 8, 2012 | 07:24 AM
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The column parts where the dimmer pivot attaches are all reachable right there in the steering column head. However, I always had a devil of a time fishing the turn signal wires up through the column.

One tip that might help. The biggest problem when fishing the wires up and through the tight passages in the steering column is that the harmonica connector keeps tipping and locking itself. Preventing you from pulling the wires.

Reach under the dash, unplug the harmonica connector where it connects to the vehicle harness. Now, disengage all of the TS switch wires from the plastic connector. They should fish a lot easier up through the column without the connector.

Then the turn signal housing and dimmer pivot should be accessable.
Jim
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Old Mar 8, 2012 | 11:53 AM
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I did it with the column in the car, that was a gigantic pain in the butt.

Listen to Jim and pull it out.

To remove the pivot, you have to press the roll pin out from the front, and then press it back in from behind.

I used a hammer to knock it out, and put it back in place with a 6" C clamp.
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