So, I'm working on the convertible's ('52 Hornet) steering wheel and column. I had several issues I needed to address, including the turn signals. One direction will stay "on" and the other you have to hold the lever in place. Neither way cancels. Before I go and tear into my sedan to figure out how it's supposed to be adjusted, I though someone might be able to give me some good pointers (pun intended).
Yes, the mechanical pawls are in place inside the direction indicator unit and they go up and down and function the way they are supposed to. Also, the two pins are in fine condition on the back of the steering wheel.
. . . and the crickets are deafening!
Russ, with the steering wheel removed, you should be able to see the ears of the canceling cams sticking up inside the when you flip it in either direction. Make sure the length of the pins are going down far enough to cancel. If the ears are not sticking up, verify the chrome base is seated all the way against the tube.
I finally got back to addressing the issues with the steering column, turn signals and shift indicator needle (hydramatic). I was reminded of a hard-earned lesson from long ago and that is, when mechanical parts are so very-well engineered, they can be made to work, not necessarily correctly, but the tolerances are so tight that even some sloppy fitting will allow them to at least partially do their job. The flip side of that is that because the tolerances are so tight, the parts need to be adjusted [i]precisely[/i] correctly in order to work precisely.
That entire assembly is such an engineering marvel that when you finally get it all working as it should, it's amazing how everything simply clicks into place and just as easily, clicks back out or into the next slot. I've got the gearshift clicking precisely into place, and the needle points right in the middle of the indicator letter that represents what gear you are in. The steering wheel was a little sloppy because the bearing inside of the tube wasn't seated down far enough. That's been fixed. The turn signals now are adjusted properly and work like a charm. It turns out that there is a locating pin on top of the steering tube and mine was missing. Either it wasn't there when it went to the plater or they removed it. That pin helps the entire indicator/turn signal assembly to set into the correct position so that the pawls for the self-cancelling action interacts with the pins on the back of the steering wheel correctly.
I think that's about the 4th time I've had the steering wheel off now. Sometimes the only to really get a thorough understanding of all the small intricacies is to do it and then re-do it a bunch of times until you finally get that "A-HA" moment and it all comes together.
I'm looking for the handle to the directional signals. Any idea of a source for that part. Mine is a '51 Hornet Club Coupe.
Dean in Folsom CA
What color knob do you need? Check with EMC Hudson Trust, 400 W. Commercial, Webster ID 83672 - Phone: (208) 549-3571. These folks are reproducing the knobs as well as a catalog full of many other plastic parts.
Dean-
Do you need just the knob or the whole arm?
[quote="Dean Prodromos" post=18255]I'm looking for the handle to the directional signals. Any idea of a source for that part. Mine is a '51 Hornet Club Coupe.
Dean in Folsom CA Dean do you need the handle or the knob? I have the handles and as been pointed out, Eschelmann has the knobs.
I need the handle and the knob.. I haven't seen a picture of the assembly. i didn't realize they were separate parts.
Dean
No problem Dean. How about the chrome acorn nut that holds it onto the assembly? Is that needed as well?
Yup, that little guy I've got.
Dean
Dean , Please check your PM.
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