'28 Coupe - headlight switch moves as steering wheel turns...

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

This week, I finally took delivery of my '28 Ford 49-A Special Coupe.

As I was driving around towards twilight, I switched-on the headlights, and began to notice that as I turned corners, the headlight switch seems to be dragging on the steering wheel (?), causing the lights to switch off or to high-beam... got to be annonying, to say the least.

Is this a common problem ? Car has the Gemmer two-tooth steering gear, and the horn-rod/ headlight switch appears to be an original part.

This is my first A , so I'm starting at the bottom of the learning curve !

Thanks !

Edited January 13, 2010 by DeSoto Frank
spelling (see edit history)

[JFranklin]

You will find many experts on the fordbarn website. find it and you will use it a lot in the future.

http://fordbarn.com/

[dwollam]

Here is a quote from Snyders: http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/515

If when you turn your steering wheel, the light switch rod turns, this might be what you are missing. This sets in the tube that the light switch rod goes into and acts as a bushing, and spaces the rod away from the steering wheel. U.S.A.

Here is a picture of the bushing.

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

Thanks Dave... I'll check it out !

How much clearance is there supposed to be between the underside of the light-switch crown and the top of the steering wheel hub ?

[dwollam]

Just enough to clear I think. That bushing may need lubed as well.

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

Does that split in the bushing allow it to be installed w/o completely removing the horn-rod?

( Looks like you have to drop the steering column to remove the rod on a coupe )

[dwollam]

Good question! I do not know. Sounds reasonable though. If not, you will have to pull the steering column/box or at least loosen it and drop it down so the rod can come out.