OK....I'm throwing tools! My ignition switch needs to be loosened and rotated so I can reach one of the terminals. How is this accomplished. I assumed one would "unscrew" the outer bezel around the key hole. This doesn't budge. Do I need a plasma cutter? Anyone have one I can borrrow? HEEEEEELLLLLLPPPPP!
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"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Joea
I think someone posted a few months ago with a good idea, they bought a cheap socket of the right size and cut it so pegs or "teeth" were left that fit into the notches on the switch bezel...the "regular" way without the proper tool would be to use medium sized needlenose pliers, but if they slip...there goes your dash cover.
I believe that NAPA sells this tool. But the cheap socket sounds like just as good of an idea. I used a pair of special pliers made for working on coumputers but they weren't as good as the other idea.
So it sounds like unscrewing the bezel is the way to go. I tried all my sockets....none worked. I also tried vise-grips, but these were beginning to mar the surface of the bezel.
I'll wait until tonight and try it with a new set of patience.
Chappie...you better duck...I threw a wrench at you.
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"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA140, ERA 267, ERA GT2038, ERA FIA 2045, ERAGT2077 ERA2893000EXP
Posts: 1,117
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Folks:
Is anyone else have the same growing concern about Joea? If we're struggling to get things apart, what are we faced with in getting it all back together?
Maybe what we need is an ol' fashioned barn raising exercise? This boy neeeds help. Several of us should be able to get things apart in a couple of hours and then bbq a steak or some other mammal part.
Where are you Joea?
Jim
PS: Yikes! California! That explains a great deal...
Listen to the Turn key buyers sipping their mimosas laughing at my busted knuckles. I'm from New York so I know if you East Coast boys weren't giving me crap I would have to start worrying.
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"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #375 427 S/C - 428FE - Toploader - 1968 AMX 390 Go Pack 4 Speed - My Daily Driver is a 2004 Crossfire
Posts: 872
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Hi Joe!
What'cha doin' takin apart the dash???
Here is what I did a while back when I put the push button start button in my ERA...
I used a pointed tip Crescent brand needle nose pliers. Then when I loosend it I then used the notched nut as a pattern to file down an old socket drive to match the detents.
sadly, I have not used it since. Give a good needle nose plier a try. The needles fit into the detents or notches.
A car can massage organs which no masseur can reach. It is the one remedy for the disorders of the great sympathetic nervous system. Jean Cocteau 1889-1963, French Author, Filmmaker
I recently changed out my fan switch and used a pair of C-ring ("snap ring") pliers. Had to be careful with the dash cover, but took my time and no problems...worked well.
I made a key (wrench, whatever) from a 1-1/2" stainless steel fender washer about .050" thick. I just thought it would be nice to have a stainless steel tool and the hole in the middle might come in handy. It also is a nice size and shape, you can apply plenty of leverage to remove or replace the bezel and it's a hell of a lot safer than using a needle nose pliers. And, I just happened to have the right size washer. I milled it but you could also construct it in 20 minutes with a file. I milled a 1-1/8" flat to match the OD of the bezel, then milled a groove 5/8" wide by 1/16" deep in the center of the flat, leaving two projections about 1/4" wide which stick out by 1/16".
This should be pretty self-explanatory, but if I didn't make it clear enough, post back and I'll try to attach a photo.
Well after reloading on patience today....I came home, grabbed a rubber inner tube, wrapped it around the outer bezel and with one twist of my vise grips it came loose no problem. It must have gotten scared after all the names I called it last night!
I had nightmares about tearing up my dash and today my 9 month old could have twisted it off....go figure.
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"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Joea Gald you got it off. You remember Righty is tighten, lefty is losey RIGHT??? That West coast fog is clouding your East coast smarts. If you where on the east coast you would load the car up and go to ERA and have them fix it You are going to be fun to watch. You should go back to BEER, the wine is NOT WORKING. Rick Lake
How 2 Loosen Ignition switch??
That West coast fog is clouding your East coast smarts. If you where on the east coast you would load the car up and go to ERA and have them fix it
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