Door Ajar switch removal 69

[Mark S.]

Need to change my door ajar switches as I restore this car. It seems that they just unscrew from the riveted backing plate. I have tried several times to loosen them but the do not budge. I am using a six point socket on the brass nut that the switch plunger comes through. Pax switch is gone but the nut is there. Am i missing something? Any help on removing these is appreciated.

[Mike E.]

Re: Door Ajar switch removal 69

Mark, there really isn't any trick to removing them, other than not dislodging the riveted backing plate. After 51 years, they are well seated. They just unscrew, but they want to break the aluminum rivets hold the backing plates. Soak, soak and more soak with a rust penetrant. Then somehow secure the backing plate so the pressure won't be on the rivets to hold it. My guess is that the pass side one is as it is because a PO just punched the plunger in because he couldn't get the nut off. Not a great solution.

[Mark S.]

Re: Door Ajar switch removal 69

Ok that's what i thought... Thanks...

[Jerome P.]

Re: Door Ajar switch removal 69

Same suggests Mike offered. Soak, soak, and more soaking with rust penetrant. Patients and soaking worked for me.

[Edward D.]

Re: Door Ajar switch removal 69

Hard pulling with a socket and hand ratchet will only shear the backing plate rivets. Impact vibration is the key. Try a low pressure air impact wrench or dial down the torque on an electric one. The vibrating impact action will loosen the fitting threads and hopefully not shear your backing plate rivets.