Light switch sticks
 

I'm not a experienced Model A mechanic,but offered to help a friend install an F100 steering wheel box in his 30 coupe. The steering went in very easy with the instructions provided. In plugging the light switch it was very hard to turn one way. after trying several times, with the switch handle on the steering wheel at the 6 o'clock position, the handle will move between 6 o'clock and 3 o'clock. When the handle on the steering wheel is at 6 o'clock, the spider is horizontal. Would appreciate any suggestions as to how this can be corrected.
Thanks .
Frank

Re: Light switch sticks
 

The shaft where the spider slides on is square, so it can be rotated 1/4 turn to be vertical.
I often find the brass contacts on the switch plate stand up too proud of the flat plastic part, making it difficult to turn the lever on the steering wheel. I like to take a flat file and file the contacts down to be flush with the plastic. There are dimples in the contact so you can still feel where it needs to be for contact, but will move nice and smooth, no force required.

Re: Light switch sticks
 

Thanks for your response. Is the spider suposed to be vertical or horizontal?

Re: Light switch sticks
 

vertical

Re: Light switch sticks
 

If you want your lights to be off when the handle is a 6:00, then: With switch disconnected at bottom, set your light switch inside handle at 9:00. This makes it easier to get at the little C clip at the bottom. Block horn rod at steering wheel, and insert spider and C clip. Unblock horn rod, and move inside light switch to 6:00. The spider should now be vertical. Reassemble light switch. Sometimes the little C clip will fall back out during the reassembly, and that will cause the inside switch handle to be locked or not working right, as the little clip is laying inside the switch body.

Re: Light switch sticks
 

I forgot to say: When you install the spider on the rod with your inside light switch handle at 9:00, the spider is installed in the horizontal position. Then when you move the light switch handle to 6:00, the spider will be vertical in its proper operating position.

Re: Light switch sticks
 

Good tip, thanks.

Re: Light switch sticks
 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm beginning to think the problem is the orientation of the spider. thanks again will try the next time we work on it.

Re: Light switch sticks
 

If you are having trouble with the light switch turning too hard, don’t forget to look at the bail that holds the switch housing together. I installed an NOS Ford switch and harness but the existing bail was much too hard to snap into place and the control on the steering wheel turned too hard, too. The flat end of the bail was bent slightly inward (or upward) which might have been right for the previous switch body (which was missing) but pressed the new one together with too much force. I reshaped it and now it works right.

Re: Light switch sticks
 

Aluminum or steel tube on that control rod?

If steel then its probably original - and will fit within a Ford column shaft.

If aluminum, it might be too large in diameter to fit well in the Ford column shaft. Plus the aluminum tube has a "seam" which allows the aluminum to "spiral" whlle turning the switch element. Just another impediment to it working correctly.

Given your transfer to F-100 this may or may not be a problem - but worth giving some thought. Try removing the switch from the bottom and see if movement at the top makes a corresponding movement at the bottom.

Joe K

Re: Light switch sticks
 

This tip may help.