<VV> Directional Switch Replacement Advise

Thu May 12 23:46:22 EDT 2022

I have fought many a steering wheel that would not come off without a 
puller.  Broken the plastic of the steering wheel trying to get enough 
force into the wheel here in the rusty east.

The stalk on the late models does not "screw" into the switch, but has a 
screw through a hole in the stalk into the plastic cam of the switch. 
Usually this pulling action breaks the cam at this point. See picture 
top of page 88 Clark's, incorrectly labeled as 61 to 69.

Frank DuVal

On 5/12/2022 3:47 AM, Hugo Miller via VirtualVairs wrote:
>   
>
> 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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