63 Turn Signal Mechanism

[Thomas S.]

Sorry for the poor image.

I recentlyy had two 1963 steering columns restored. One was the original for the car, and the other one was purchased already restored from a well known NCRS member. The original was a mess and I didn't want to lose the use of the car which is why I purchased the second column.

Prior to the restoration I was having trouble with the right turn action returning to neutral on the original column so I purchased a repro switch mechanism (above). It came with a very thin wave spring washer that most likely was intended to go between the head of the retaining screw and the top of the mechanism and also likely design to provide some slipage. A NOS version that I bought did not have this washer. The AIM does not show this washer either.

the original column that was restored did not have the washer before or after the work was done to it, nor did the 2nd restored one that I purchased seperately. I had erratic operation of the return mechanism before and after the restore and wanted to know if this washer should be used or is the one year only turn signal mechanism on this model year just flaky?

Tom

[Peter H.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

Thomas 1 have the same problem and have wondered if the canceling cam/hub are in the wrong position..the service manual does not address the turn signal mechanism..any thoughts ? Peter.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

You need to bend open or closed the clips. That is the adjustment.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

For clips, do you mean one of the the parking pawls?

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

In the picture in this thread there are two clips that fit loosely into the mechanism. Depending on their shape they will either turn off the directional or miss it. They need to be bent to engage the reset motion. It may only be 1/32 or 1/16 bend.

Reverse them and see if the opposite side fails then compare the shape.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

Got it. Thanks

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

I have never heard of bending the pawls but Harry knows better than me, I can add some input about the washer in question though.

I don't think there was a washer originally but the screw can be tightened down and sometimes will wear into the control assembly causing the head of the screw to be tight against the ring causing a restricted movement. That ring is supposed to move freely after the screw is tightened and by placing a correct size lock washer under the ring (between the ring and control ass.) the screw will be tight and the ring move on the OD of the screw.

The 1963 shop manual makes reference to a lock washer in this location and it would be for this reason, I can't find the section in the manual but I may have mentioned it some time ago so check the archives. I am not sure a wavy washer is what was intended, I used a correct size lock washer and it fit the control assembly perfect where the screw wore a bit. The ring moves free and the screw is tight, so see if that also helps the problem. If you need the section in the shop manual let me know and I will go look it up.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

Lock washer at base of screw is in place and yes, that not only locks the screw but adds some clearance to area between the top of the ring and bottom screw head. Bending those pawls tend to be a one time deal as they dis-form very easily. I have to try adjusting the actual switch on the lower column which is controlled by a cable linked to the upper steering column. Its a strange arrangement but it is what it is and probably works on 99.99% of the other 63's out there.

[Thomas S.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

Here is a better image of an actual turn-signal cancelling ring (bottom view). The plastic cancelling cam is an semi-circle with a gap. When the edge of the gap hits one of those pawls it causes (should cause) the ring to rotate back to neutral. If there is a problem you want to bend the appropriate pawl at the point shown. You should increase the angle slightly until works. Bending it there will close the gap between the pawl and the steering column. If the gap is too large the cam will simply brush by these spring loaded pawls as opposed to "kicking" them one way or the other.

[Peter L.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

I've been having the same problem (sometimes cancels on right turn, never on left), and tried everything I could think of, including a new turn cancelling ring. After 2 weeks of noodling around with this problem, I checked the Forum, found this thread, and presto, it works now like a charm, with the old turn canceling ring. Thanks for the tip on bending the tabs on the ratchet/pawls. About a 1/16 of an inch (eyeball measuring), and no more problems.

[Gerald L.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

My 63, acquired in 1980, was butchered to use a tele wheel so one of the very first parts purchases was a 63 complete column. 20 years later sorting it out on the road it never tripped on a right hand turn, or released too early, I can not recall which. Many hours of thought, inspection and head scratching I finally realized that the original setup used a 64 only white plastic cancelling cam. Problem solved with the correct 63 repo cam. I never tweeted the pawns.

[Peter L.]

Re: 63 Turn Signal Mechanism

My 63, acquired in 1980, was butchered to use a tele wheel so one of the very first parts purchases was a 63 complete column. 20 years later sorting it out on the road it never tripped on a right hand turn, or released too early, I can not recall which. Many hours of thought, inspection and head scratching I finally realized that the original setup used a 64 only white plastic cancelling cam. Problem solved with the correct 63 repo cam. I never tweeted the pawns.

I also had the wrong white plastic cancelling cam in mine, and nothing would work. Once Paragon helped me identify that as a problem, and supplied the correct white plastic ring, the cancelling action only worked about 50% of the time, and drove me nuts for a year and a half. This solved it. Glad you didn't have this additional problem to deal with.
Happy motoring.
Pete