61 Dart Seneca Steering Column/Turn Signal Issue

[Missourati]

I noticed the turn signal lever keeps popping out of place and I have to pull back on the handle to reengage it. The spring clip also moves up on the two posts and nearly falls out with repeated movement. I see the flat part that seems to touch the steering wheel hub but when I put it on and tighten the castle nut a bit there's a huge gap. I can imagine the hub is the thing that keeps the lever part always pressed onto the turn signal slider but I don't want to tighten the hub like crazy only to ruin the threads. How far is the castle nut supposed to go onto the thread before you put the two retaining screws in and would this be my solution to the lever popping out? Also how tight am I supposed to keep the flat head screw on the left?

Thanks

 

[Sixpactogo]

I'm not sure I'm following you on what you mean by the "lever keeps popping out of place" but the springs all look to be in good condition. I am wondering if the screw on the left is the correct one? Is that what keeps loosening up? The correct screw will have a shank that when tightened down will have enough shank to not bind up the movement of the rotating cam but won't let it move up and down. Is that the problem you are having?

 

[Missourati]

I'm not sure I'm following you on what you mean by the "lever keeps popping out of place" but the springs all look to be in good condition. I am wondering if the screw on the left is the correct one? Is that what keeps loosening up? The correct screw will have a shank that when tightened down will have enough shank to not bind up the movement of the rotating cam but won't let it move up and down. Is that the problem you are having?

The lever meaning the whole C shaped piece that rotates. On the right side there's the piece that sticks straight out and is held by the spring. On the opposite side is a hole that the little dowel on the turn signal switch fits into. That's what keeps sliding out of place. The C shaped piece needs to be pushed down more on the right side so it can rotate level. The screw has that lock washer and is all OEM as far as I know. The only solution I can think of is I haven't tightened down the steering wheel hub enough to make contact with that piece on the right side and keep it in place.

 

[Sixpactogo]

If you have the steering wheel on and in it's keyed position, and is down within 1/8" of the housing, it is on as far as it will go. How about this........Are you sure the snap ring on the shaft is in its place? Maybe the shaft is not down far enough in the column. Did you take it apart?

 

[Missourati]

I'm pretty sure the snap ring is in place. All I took out was the 2 screws that hold the assembly in place and then reinstalled it. I don't have the factory wheel anymore so I use a crappy speedway universal type. I'll get pictures of how it looks with the hub on in a bit.

 

[Missourati]

Here's the full assembly, notice the huge gap between the steering wheel hub and the part that goes over the turn signal switch. I would think this is what's supposed to keep it pushed down but I also noticed the flathead screw that connects the base to the turn signal arm was broken, maybe that has something to do with it. Thoughts?

 

[Sixpactogo]

I have not had mine apart recently but I don't think that straight screw belongs in there. Pretty sure they were all Phillips head screws. Is it too long and bottoming out by chance?

 

[Missourati]

No it's not bottoming out. Seems to work fine for what it is.