Indicator Switch Stalk

[ChrisH]

Hi, Bea, our 1978 4TL, ex-Barnfind, has a problem with the indicator switch stalk - in fact, Barnfind also commented on it! With your hands on the wheel, as you turn the wheel you also knock the indicators on one way or the other.

The thing is, how is the problem resolved? I assume that the switch has a fixed and therefore not adjustable position. If it were adjustable that might solve the issue. Therefore all I can think of doing is to take the stalk arm off and bend it, but how does it come off? Doesn't seem to want to unscrew, neither does it seem to want to be pulled out. Or is it a fixed assembly and needs to be taken as a unit and then to bend the arm?

All help appreciated!

Chris

 

[Bertl]

Hi Chris,

I appended two pictures of the original dash of my '78 GTL ... the indicator stalk is on the right and sits quite close to the steering wheel, so it is indeed possible to knock it about while moving the wheel.

The stalks are just slotted into the sockets you can see in the second picture, the stalks have a groove, some sort of spring keeps them inserted.

This type of dash has no automatic reset of the indicator stalk after rounding a corner nor does this type of steering wheel have the "ear" to move the stalk on a later dash.

Robert

 

[ChrisH]

Hi Robert, thanks for the info and the pictures. So the stalk will just pull out? Guess I will have to pull a bit harder! Just want to bend it a little so my hands miss it!

Chris
This is a brilliant website, so much information available!

 

[benchseat]

The stalk does just pull out, it is sometimes rusty and stiff.

The problem arose when they changed the steering wheel from the old type, which projected towards the driver, to the later one (like the one illustrated) which is essentially flat. They then had to use bent stalks rather than straight ones to avoid the problem you describe. Possibly your indicator unit has at some point been replaced by an earlier one.

Remedy : pull out the stalk, put it in a vice, bend (about halfway along so it'll still fit properly), replace.

This exemplifies one of my maxims : "Never use skill where brute force will suffice".

 

[ChrisH]

Hi Benchseat - yep, that is exactly what I did this afternoon, before I came in and read your post, honest! Much better now. The stalk came out ok, I was just not pulling hard enough before. My steering wheel is the flat one too.
Chris