Turn Signal Switch Problem

[Bill B.]

65 Non tele steering column

I rebuilt my steering column. Installed new upper, lower bearing and turn signal switch and cancelling cam. I took it out last night for the first drive after the rebuild and when I actuate the signal lever all is fine until I start either a left or right turn at which time the switch returns to neutral almost immediately and long before I start coming out of the turn. I also have a squeaking sound in the steering hub when I turn the wheel. I took the steering wheel back off and and noticed the cancelling cam is wedging itself slightly on the side of the horse shoe shaped arm that the signal lever actuates. As the cam keeps turning it is putting outward pressure on the horse shoe shaped arm forcing to cancel itself. I reinstalled the old cam and the same thing happens. I reinstalled the steering wheel but didn't torque it down and the signal lever and cam work as they should and there is no squeaking noise but as I start torquing the nut on the steering shaft the problem comes back. I'm at a loss short of saying I have a bad switch but before I call the vendor I bought the switch and cam from I"d like to see if anyone on the forum has seen this problem or perhaps I reassembled something wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Bill B.

[Bill B.]

Re: Turn Signal Switch Problem

Even though I don't have any replies to this thread yet, I"d like to relate what I found today. Turns out something is wrong with the new upper steering bearing I installed. I worked the problem for several hours today trying everything I could think of. I finally decided to put the old bearing back in and when I did all the problems went away. The new bearing appears to sit too low in the turn signal housing. When I decided to rebuild the column I ordered new upper and lower bearings. This was before tearing the column down. After teardown I decided to order a new turn signal switch and the new one came with a bearing in it. That bearing wouldn't fit on the shaft at all so I took it out of the switch and installed the new bearing I had ordered a couple of weeks before. So today I find that bearing is not right either. I reinstalled the original 53 year old upper bearing and all the problems were corrected. Anyway, I took the car for a drive and the turn signals work perfectly. In my haste this morning thinking the new switch was bad I ordered a NOS switch on E-bay so now I'll have a spare if I ever need it. I hope my reply helps out someone who may run into a similar problem.

Bill B.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Turn Signal Switch Problem

who was the supplier of the bad bearing?

[Bill B.]

Re: Turn Signal Switch Problem

who was the supplier of the bad bearing?

I ordered everything thru Zip. So, I got a bearing by itself and a turn signal switch with the bearing installed. The switch assembly was Lectric Limited.

[Dave K.]

Re: Turn Signal Switch Problem

I ordered a rebuilt telescopic column for my 65 from a reputable builder who supplied me a rebuilt OEM switch. I had similar problems. The re-builder left me high and dry. Ordered an aftermarket switch with bearing from Bair's Corvette. Brian Bair told me that he disassembles the Lectric Limited switches and rebuilds them to assure that they work before selling them. My Bair switch worked fine. I wrote an article on this an published it in our Chapter newsletter.

Dave Kitch
Chairman
Pittsburgh Tri-state chapter

[Ronald L.]

[John H.]

Re: Turn Signal Switch Problem

Recently changed my 65 switch with a unit from Long Island and had the same issue with the top bearing. Put the old bearing back and it was fine.

[Bill B.]

Re: Turn Signal Switch Problem

I also got a bad glove box light switch. It just wouldn't work. I fixed the old switch but it is temporary and will fail before long. I sent the new switch back to Zip and they were more than helpful and a new one is on the way. I wonder if the vendors listen to our input and do anything about it. Problem seems to be across all suppliers so I'm not knocking Zip or Lectric Limited. In the case of the upper steering bearing I spent 2 days on the problem before I realized the new upper steering bearing was bad. I sent both new bearings I ordered back but I doubt if I'll hear anything and doubt anything will be done to improve quality control.