The Ford Barn

Zax40 · 09-14-2023, 01:25 PM

I know this has been covered a lot. But I think I have something uncommon going on. Has anyone ever seen an on/off switch missing the post? I have a spare switch a friend gave me. It looks like the post may be a separate piece. But i'm not sure what the best way to fix this would be.

Suggestions?

Ken/Alabama · 09-14-2023, 01:34 PM

Gonna need to remove the column from the car then remove the housing from the column then totally disassemble it .

Seth Swoboda · 09-14-2023, 02:47 PM

I'll add to what Ken said, it's not a hard job. It's tedious but you can do the repair.

Ken/Alabama · 09-14-2023, 07:40 PM

Do a search for 1940 steering lock disassembly. I posted that a few years back with pictures.

Zax40 · 09-15-2023, 08:12 AM

I was really hoping I could repair it without removing the column. But I guess that was wishful thinking.

Ken, I have your post with the instructions bookmarked. Thanks

I do have a spare 40 column drop I bought at the swap meet to practice with. So I will have the process down before I attempt to do the factory one in my '40.

Terry,OH · 09-15-2023, 08:17 AM

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At one time the thumb switch pot metal cover was available as a reproduction. The cover is pressed over and onto the steel pin, your missing. That pin has to be removed to disassemble the column lock mechanism completely.

Seth Swoboda · 09-15-2023, 08:40 AM

When I restored my '40 column drop, the hardest part was getting the tin "ON/OFF" plate over the thumb switch without bending it. That was tricky.

Ken/Alabama · 09-15-2023, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

When I restored my '40 column drop, the hardest part was getting the tin "ON/OFF" plate over the thumb switch without bending it. That was tricky.

The thumb lever can be removed. It fits over a splined post.

Zax40 · 09-15-2023, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

The thumb lever can be removed. It fits over a splined post.

The splined post should not be removable from what I hear, but somehow mine was removed

petehoovie · 09-15-2023, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

The thumb lever can be removed. It fits over a splined post.

Ken/Alabama · 09-15-2023, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zax40

The splined post should not be removable from what I hear, but somehow mine was removed

You are correct. The splined post can’t be removed but the outer chrome part can be.

09-14-2023, 01:34 PM	#2
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,261	Re: 40 column drop repair, broken on/off switch Gonna need to remove the column from the car then remove the housing from the column then totally disassemble it .

09-14-2023, 02:47 PM	#3
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,795	Re: 40 column drop repair, broken on/off switch I'll add to what Ken said, it's not a hard job. It's tedious but you can do the repair.

09-14-2023, 07:40 PM	#4
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,261	Re: 40 column drop repair, broken on/off switch Do a search for 1940 steering lock disassembly. I posted that a few years back with pictures.

09-15-2023, 08:12 AM	#5
Zax40 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 303	Re: 40 column drop repair, broken on/off switch I was really hoping I could repair it without removing the column. But I guess that was wishful thinking. Ken, I have your post with the instructions bookmarked. Thanks I do have a spare 40 column drop I bought at the swap meet to practice with. So I will have the process down before I attempt to do the factory one in my '40.

09-15-2023, 08:17 AM	#6
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 40 column drop repair, broken on/off switch Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) At one time the thumb switch pot metal cover was available as a reproduction. The cover is pressed over and onto the steel pin, your missing. That pin has to be removed to disassemble the column lock mechanism completely.

09-15-2023, 08:40 AM	#7
Seth Swoboda Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 3,795	Re: 40 column drop repair, broken on/off switch When I restored my '40 column drop, the hardest part was getting the tin "ON/OFF" plate over the thumb switch without bending it. That was tricky.