Trim Parts turn signal lever

[Tom L.]

Starting at the beginning about 10 years ago when I bought my car I tried to get the interior in order. As part of that I bought a new turn signal switch. I replaced it and noticed that the turn signal switch was cracked where it attached. I paid no notice, it worked.

Here we are and I'm still working towards correcting all these little things. Tonight I tried to put the TP lever in and it wouldn't fit, even if I pushed hard, I went into my basement to find my original. After I found it I tired the fit, it was fine. I measured the width of both and found that the TP part was about .015 wider than my original. Probably why it didn't fit. Anyone have this issue?

I'd rather not just take a file to it. Getting too aggressive may make it too narrow. Thanks!!

[Richard M.]

Re: Trim Parts turn signal lever

Tom, You are not alone. Recent '67 signal lever from TP similar issue but in my case too thick at the screw mount and had to use a longer screw. Pics below. Top is original, bottom is TP rero.(will add photos later, bug on the site)

In your case I'd use the file and be done with it. Making reproduction parts fit is typical. It shouldn't be, but it is.

For example just yesterday morning, figured I'd do some interior work on a '61 I have here. Installed the clock/heater console with cables attached, All fine. I went to install the repro quartz clock into the repro console.......put it in the hole and tried to turn to lock.....no go. Then I remebered same problem last few cars too. I had to take the file to the new clock tabs to get it to fit and turn to lock. A 15 second job turned into about 20 minutes.

Rich

[Joe R.]

Re: Trim Parts turn signal lever

This problem is going to be found more often in the future than it has in the past! Trim Parts not fitting correctly! Why? When Dick Miller founded Trim Parts he was proud that all of his parts were made in the USA. It was advertised in all the Trim Parts catalogs. Being a former employee of GM Dick knew where all the suppliers were and used them for the centerpiece of Trim Parts. Made in the USA! After many years and Dick's passing Trim Parts has been sold several times and the new owners only care about profit and loss. Typical of most companies these days.
As tooling wears out and the demand for C-1 and C-2 parts decreases companies are not going to pay big bucks for new tooling when they can get it made in another country that pays their workers 1 dollar a day!
Sorry for wasting your time and I'll get off the soap box now!

JR

PS. And Dick Miller was a Corvette owner.

[Richard M.]

Re: Trim Parts turn signal lever

So true Joe. I used to love to see those nice clear/red bags with TP parts in them. Not any more. Just a year ago a new $125 C1 soft top latch......

I went to latch a new top I just installed, and when I pushed up on the lever the mechanism pulled right out of the base mount. The rivets were not properly set. Talk about a few expletives in the air !!!

Rich

[Tom L.]

Re: Trim Parts turn signal lever

Thanks for the replies, a file it is. I still have the original package for it, dated April 2010 but there is no indication of the country of origin on the package or the slip of paper that was inside. Any idea when the parts manufacturing was shipped offshore? Might have to start a new category for NOS.

N-O-made in the USA-S repops