tires and wheels Turn Signal Cancel question? Photo attached

[josh72ooh2]

I took apart my steering column this weekend (for a variety of reasons).

While in there, I was looking to see why the self canceling mechanism on the turn signal doesn't work.

It appears that the collar with a tab on it, that points to the front of the car, isn't long enough to hit the canceling tab from the turn signal.

Do you guys have any ideas as to how to make this work (without welding a longer piece to the collar) or what is wrong?

Are there any photos of what it should look like (if mine is incorrect)?

And... when i reassemble everything, with the front wheels pointed straight,

where does the tab from the collar belong?

Thanks. -josh

[Sett]

I just had mine apart, but no photos, the cancle tab should line up with the part coming out from the turn signal switch when the wheels are straight. When you move the turn signal switch you will see the metal part on the switch stick out farther if it dosen't, it might need to be lubricated.

Steve

[CutteRug]

nt

[CutteRug]

Hey Josh,

I just did this job last night on my '75.... On the later model cars the tab goes at 9 o'clock because the turn signal is on the left, but yours is on the right (right?) so your tab would go at 3 o'clock...

The tab doesn't actually have to touch the little plastic thing coming out of the turn signal... What happens is (and you can do this with the wheel off, as you have it) -- you click on the turn signal (either way) and that little plastic thing juts out toward the center of the steering column... THEN the tab can reach it and taps it from the side as you turn the wheel back...

It's actually quite ingenious and I was thrilled when I put it back together and it all worked! Hope you have similar results...

Let us know how it turns out.

Cheers,

Adam

[josh72ooh2]

AAhh... ok.. so now i know how it works... but the problem i am having is that the collar's tab does not reach the turn signal's tab.

The collar's tab appears to be about 1/8" too short.

So either i need a longer collar or maybe move the turn signal closer to the driver?

If you look at the photo closely, you can almost tell that they wouldn't touch...

-Josh

[JohnP]

did the self cancelling ever work when the signal was turned on L or R while you've owned the car? There is a spring loaded mechanical linkage inside the turn signal mechanism that will not extend or retract the turn signal tab properly if corroded, and yours looks rusty. When there is truly a mismatch between the two tabs I've seen welded extensiions of the steering column tab and shimming of the turnsignal mechanism or some combination.

[josh72ooh2]

I've only had the car a month and no, it never worked.

The mechanism extends from the turn signal switch properly. it appears that the collar's tab is too short. It makes me wonder if the wrong collar is on there? or they vary in size?

-josh

[JohnP]

I suppose the wrong collar could be a possibility but doubt it. Easy enough to pull the steering wheel and shrouding to check and compare if there is another 02'er in your immediate area.Some of the FAQ'ers no doubt have this piece and it shouldn't cost much. Mine had a long enough tab but the two didn't align properly so someone brazed an extension (on the collar) and then ground it to fit. Not the best but it works.

[Guest Anonymous]

the turn signal switch can be moved closer to the tab by loosening the mounting screws. It can be shimmed to be closer to the driver by putting a washer between the switch and it's mount. Keep messing with it - you can make it work.

[josh72ooh2]

I thought about the washer idea and was going to have another look at it tonight. thanks

-Josh

[Guest Anonymous]

yeah - pull off the lower cover and then when you loosen the 2 big phillips head bolts that hold the switch on, you will see what I mean.

[plape]

I had the same problem on my 72. Finally solved it by mistake after pulling engine and subframe, which requires disconnecting the steering column. Turns out you can adjust the whole column in and out, which moves the switches further or closer to the cancel tab. Look under the hood where the column splined end goes. You shouldn't have to weld on extensions or anything-though I pondered the same solution. Good luck.

[BillWilliams]

plape has a good point. Remember, the steering column must be preloaded before you completed tighten it down.

If you steering wheel/column will push in about 2-5mm, it needs to be preloaded and that may take up the room you need.

[helvelin]

Hi, I had this problem earlier this year, it was the rubber connector to the steering box, it had failed and the steering wheel sprung out 10mm. I could push the wheel in and that made the indicator return work.

Tom.

[josh72ooh2]

I finally got around to fixing this. Plape had the solution. I loosened the collar connecting the steering joint closest to the steering box first and was able to get the steering column to wiggle close to the steering box.

It wasn't enough though.

I then loosened the collar connecting the steering column to the rubber joint near the steering box.

Then somebody in the car hit the steering column with a rubber mallet so the whole column would move closer to the steering box (while i watched). It moved down enough for the turn signal cancel collar to function properly... without having to resort to welding.

Thanks for the tips!

-josh

I had the same problem on my 72. Finally solved it by mistake after pulling engine and subframe, which requires disconnecting the steering column. Turns out you can adjust the whole column in and out, which moves the switches further or closer to the cancel tab. Look under the hood where the column splined end goes. You shouldn't have to weld on extensions or anything-though I pondered the same solution. Good luck.