The Ford Barn

GSCOV · 02-10-2015, 05:33 PM

So I have a 1932 survivor car and the last owner went to put the lights on one day and broke the little handle off. It is stuck pretty darn good. I am familiar with the set up and looking for a reason that this would happen. I have owned 30 early Fords and never seen this. Right now when you turn the wheel the lights go on. I tapped the center light switch both ways and it is tight tight. Going to pull the rod out tomorrow. The horn button works fine.

Andy · 02-10-2015, 05:48 PM

I would pull off the switch at the bottom of the column and see if you can turn it or the light rod. Maybe some of the retainer stuff got loose and is jaming the switch. I think you would need to have an open car to get the rod out without pulling the column.

GSCOV · 02-10-2015, 06:40 PM

Have pulled many of these out. Shake it but don't break it. A little finesse on the way out and on the way back in. I'm thinking surface rust/condensation around the rod inside the tube. The grease at the bottom should prevent freeze up there. Up top it's the button against the steering wheel nut. Even so, you don't need to pull the column. Release the 3 box mounting bolts and the steering arm, and let it drop, just so the rod will clear the seat back and have more clearance with the roof.

Terry,OH · 02-11-2015, 09:44 AM

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I use a small diameter wire brush and attach wire on both ends and pull it through the column and then back a couple of times, spray cleaner down the column. The amount of dried lube for the steering box is remarkable. Do this with the bottom plate of the steering shaft removed and solder or braze the brass tube to the bottom plate.

02-10-2015, 05:33 PM	#1
GSCOV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 979	1932 Horn rod froze?? So I have a 1932 survivor car and the last owner went to put the lights on one day and broke the little handle off. It is stuck pretty darn good. I am familiar with the set up and looking for a reason that this would happen. I have owned 30 early Fords and never seen this. Right now when you turn the wheel the lights go on. I tapped the center light switch both ways and it is tight tight. Going to pull the rod out tomorrow. The horn button works fine.

02-10-2015, 05:48 PM	#2
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,879	Re: 1932 Horn rod froze?? I would pull off the switch at the bottom of the column and see if you can turn it or the light rod. Maybe some of the retainer stuff got loose and is jaming the switch. I think you would need to have an open car to get the rod out without pulling the column.

02-10-2015, 06:40 PM	#3
GSCOV Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 979	Re: 1932 Horn rod froze?? Have pulled many of these out. Shake it but don't break it. A little finesse on the way out and on the way back in. I'm thinking surface rust/condensation around the rod inside the tube. The grease at the bottom should prevent freeze up there. Up top it's the button against the steering wheel nut. Even so, you don't need to pull the column. Release the 3 box mounting bolts and the steering arm, and let it drop, just so the rod will clear the seat back and have more clearance with the roof.

02-11-2015, 09:44 AM	#4
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,187	Re: 1932 Horn rod froze?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I use a small diameter wire brush and attach wire on both ends and pull it through the column and then back a couple of times, spray cleaner down the column. The amount of dried lube for the steering box is remarkable. Do this with the bottom plate of the steering shaft removed and solder or braze the brass tube to the bottom plate.