<VV> Directional Switch Replacement Advise

[Hugo Miller]

I would have thought - or hoped at any rate - that you would be able
to just screw the stalk back in to its hole without the need for any
further dismantling. I know I've had to do that when the stalks has come
loose on my cars. Of course, if she broke it or ruined the threads, then
its a different matter. 
Also, I have always got my steering wheels off
without the need for a puller - just a clout with a mallet from
underneath has always done it for me. 
These guys must have insurance
against this kind of thing, so it should be s imple matter to make a
claim. Good luck! 

On 11.5.2022 23:46, Todd Miller via VirtualVairs
wrote: 

> OK everyone, looking for a little advise here. So, this is
the situation, and just so you know, being a retired cop, I kept my cool
pretty well, and didn't shoot anyone! LOL
> I took my 1969 Monza
Convertible, 110hp, 4-speed, top down, in to a vehicle inspection joint
in a small town about 15 minutes from where I live. My registration was
up for renewal, and Texas requires annual vehicle inspections. So, I
drive in and say I need an inspection. A woman who works there, I guess
in her 50's, but she looked pretty tough, came over to do the
inspection, asked for my insurance, and then said, well where are the
keys, I have to take it for a drive. I didn't like this, but that is
what this place does with my truck as well. The woman gets in the car,
and can't figure out how to take the parking brake off. As she backs up,
I tell her she needs to give it a few revs. She drives the car around
back of the quick lube, and pulls up to a bay to get another employee to
check to make sure that all the lights, turn signals, etc. work. The guy
outside the car said the brake lights weren't working. I explained that
I had just put a new brake light switch on the brake pedal, and it is
probably loose or needs adjusting. He told the lady that they were good.
While she is having all the lights checked, I see her doing something
with her left arm, moving it quite a bit. After the guy tells her
everything is working, she takes off and drives it up the block,
checking the brakes, turns around and comes back, saying it passed. I
have to wait for the lead guy to enter the inspection into the computer
before I can pay and get my inspection certificate. After this, I go
out, get in the car, and get out on the highway to go home. It is at
this point that I notice that the right turn signal is on and my
directional signal stalk is flopping, hanging down from the column. It
isn't attached anymore. I turn around and drive back to the inspection
station. The guy that observed the lights working said Oh Oh, he's back.
I said yes I was, that my turn signals were no longer working. He said
they are on, and I said correct, but the gal broke the signal switch. At
first, she tried to deny it, but after I said I saw her pulling with her
left arm, she admitted that she just pulled on the stalk gently to use
it. I asked her if she was aware that the stalk did not go forward and
back to change from low beams to high beams, that there was a floor
switch for that. At that point, she called for the lead guy and went
into the basement oil change area, and I never saw her again. I
explained to the lead guy what happened, that she obviously pulled on
the stalk to change to hi beams, and broke the switch. He said come in
to the office to give them my name and number and the manager would be
in the next day and would call me. Of course, I didn't get a call by
4:00 PM. I drove back in to town this morning today to buy a steering
wheel puller, and spent about an hour in a hot garage taking everything
apart. Sure enough, she had pulled so hard on the stalk that it pulled
the bolt out of the switch housing. I called the manager a little after
4. She admitted she was told about it, but didn't call me. I explained
what happened and at first she tried to say that she was told that there
was a problem with the turn signals when I came in. I said wrong, it was
the brake lights, ask the fat guy. She then said that I should bring the
car back in so she could look at it. I said wrong, no turn signals and
no steering wheel. She now wants me to bring in the broken part so she
can look at it. I am doing that tomorrow. So, I am going to demand that
they pay to have it repaired. I looked at Clarks, and the Boyne switch
is just over $100 plus shipping and tax. I don't know how much total
time it has taken me, or will take me, but it isn't a quick job, and I
have had to drive 15 miles into town one way, 4 times now. So, does
anyone have an idea of what a repair like this should cost, parts and
labor? Obviously, even if I could drive the car, I will not let them
work on it, I will do the work myself. We don't have any Corvair repair
shops around here. I am trying to figure out what to tell them they owe
me. More than likely, they will try to deny everything and I will then
have to take them to small claims court. That, and provide a few reviews
on social media. Long story, but any advise would be appreciated.
Obviously, I will switch inspection stations and find one that the will
not drive my car. Thanks! Todd in Texas 
>
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