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floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 07 Jan 2010 08:38 pm
by Dub_Addict
has anyone got any ideas what could be wrong with my indicator stalk as its gone all floppy!

it still works and everthing but just hangs there. i havent yet had any time to have a look so thought i would ask if anyone ever had a similar problem.

thanks

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 07 Jan 2010 08:49 pm
by Tero Huikko
Tighten the two philips head screws that hold the stalk in place.

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 07 Jan 2010 09:58 pm
by Ride_on
Probably the bottom of the bracket has broken, it has a weakness on one side. You might be able to fix it with a reinforcing metal strip with 2 holes in it to match the screw positions. Take of the choke knob (if carb) and then remove the studs that hold the plastic bit below the steering wheel. It should be obvious then.

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 08 Jan 2010 01:20 pm
by Dub_Addict
had a look today and it seems the plastic bit at the top which the indicator stalk screws to has snapped. i guess i am gonna have to do some bodging to make it right again, unless there is a simple solution??

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 08 Jan 2010 02:51 pm
by morgan105
Some super glues work well on that plastic but not all. Hopefully you have the complete piece there. If so then try the glue but give it plenty of time to set and when putting it all back together don't overtighten that screw as it may snap when tightening.

I have found that the cheaper super glues work better then the original super glue but you do have to hold the piece in place for a while before it holds which tends to get a bit tricky when trying not to glue your fingers to it. :lol:

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 08 Jan 2010 07:43 pm
by Dub_Addict
it seems that the piece of plastic that i need to glue back together is not there , so i am gonna have to come up with another solution other than super glue.

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 10 Jan 2010 03:52 am
by Ride_on
The plate idea won't work aswell for the top as the horn connectors are in the way to make a straight bridge between the 2 screws. You could use a plate on one side and either make another hole or 2 and put self tappers into the plastic, or use the bigger surface area to get a better gluing surface. You may not need the small bit that has broken off, but its better to keep the pressure even. a metal reinforcer will hold it all in place if you can anchor is down.

Here's one I repaired earlier, but it was just cracked on one side of the hole at the bottom. The plate I made was crude but effective, make sure you hold it with a proper clamp and not fingers while drilling!

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 10 Jan 2010 04:16 am
by morgan105
If you go to the board index and then go to offers 340 GLT is breaking a car down and may have the part you need.

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 10 Jan 2010 08:20 pm
by Dub_Addict
mine has already been plated at the bottom and it seems now that the top has snapped where shown in the pic.
any ideas how to repair witout having to buy a new one??

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 10 Jan 2010 09:36 pm
by volvodspec
also a plate with a bump in the middle to clear the contacts for the horn

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 11 Jan 2010 12:26 am
by morgan105
You can always use a old cd or tape case to make the piece that is missing and make a bridge piece to glue on to the back of the new and existing piece on the cowling to hold it all together. But the glue will have to be strong!!

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 11 Jan 2010 07:20 pm
by Ride_on
See the start of my post, I've already explained how to do that. If you put a bump in it is will be too weak (like the rear axle). Go for a flat plate on the broken side only, create an extra hole or 2 and secure with self tappers and/or glue.

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 11 Jan 2010 07:42 pm
by Dub_Addict
i think i will have to put a humped plate on as the plastic has broken right back near to the horn connectors. it looks like someone has been there before as there is a maze of cable ties.

the line shows roughly where its broke.
IMG_2271.JPG
IMG_2271.JPG (83.36 KiB) Viewed 7804 times

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 11 Jan 2010 08:38 pm
by morgan105
Boy that didn't leave much to play with!

It could still be done off the one side but would entail making up the missing piece out of plastic (cd case or similar), useing other side as template. Making the new piece fit perfectly on the end of the break and glue it to it, then strengthen the joint up with fibreglass top and bottom (good preparation of the parts will be the key factor if you want it all to stick together and stay there). The only down side to this is getting a plastic that won't melt under the heat of the glue bond or fibreglass! Some plastic cases hold up better then others to the heats but can be a hit and miss affair in finding one that won't melt.

Bridge idea is looking the easier option now but make sure the strip you use to do it can be easily shaped but not to flexible otherwise you will have problems with right turn signals eventually and would then cause more strain on the bottom mount. Make the bridge plate long enough so you can use the screw from the right hand controls and put a small self tapper, as suggested by Ride On, through the new plate but on the right side plastic arm to stop any front and back movement. Don't forget to make a pilot hole for the screw otherwise you may have the right side arm snap.

Re: floppy indicator stalk

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 12:59 am
by Ride_on
That is a bugger, you could still use a metal plate but it will need to be bent and shaped to match one side of the hump at least. Basically you need to increase the surface area for gluing.

Not sure why morgan105 is suggesting using CD case or whatever, I presume the original plastic is still there, it just needs reinforced. Fibreglass or Alradite does not produce enough heat to melt plastic (that I have eve seen), however it may chemically dissolve some.

Anyway, do you want the one in the picture, I was keeping it as a spare but I don't really need it?