Shootey Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 I am trying to remove the brake light switch on my 1941 Buick. I can’t break it loose. Any thoughts? A 1 inch socket is too big and a 15/16 is too small. I’ve tried Vice grips, crescent wrench and can’t budge it. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 24 minutes ago, Shootey said: I am trying to remove the brake light switch on my 1941 Buick. I can’t break it loose. Any thoughts? A 1 inch socket is too big and a 15/16 is too small. I’ve tried Vice grips, crescent wrench and can’t budge it. Thanks. Got a photo of the situation? Does it mount on the end of the master cylinder? Have you tried tightening it a little bit first? THEN loosen it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootey Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 I can take a photo tomorrow. It is not on the master cylinder. It is near it down low near the top of the frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 (edited) Shootey, go a little further down to the "Buick-Pre War" section, lot of Buick specific knowledgeable people there. BUT Keiser31 is the man, and will help you out, provided you post your photo. Bob EDIT: it is a strange end on the switch to put a socket on, maybe try a 12 point socket SAE or Metric? https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHSL134?impressionRank=1 Edited June 21, 2022 by NailheadBob update (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 (edited) If it is a replacement switch from modern times at all, like sometime in the last 60 years or so, and does not have 6 simple hexagonal nut flats, it takes a special socket. The socket fits all of them, at least on American cars. You can just about always get them out with normal tools, but if you can't for some reason maybe you need the socket. I got by for years without the special socket before I bought one. I would keep trying. EDIT: @NailheadBob's link shows the kind of switch I am talking about. Edited June 21, 2022 by Bloo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Assuming it to be similar or identical to what I have seen on 1937 and 1938 Buicks, I would expect it to come out easily. If yours is that difficult to remove, I would suggest applying some solvent and letting it sit overnight before removal. The best solvent that I have found is a 50/50 mix of acetone and automatic transmission fluid. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Same as a typical oil pressure switch socket? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 (edited) Yes. The socket handles at least 2 sizes, maybe three, all that same shape. Edited June 21, 2022 by Bloo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootey Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 Thank you all for your help. I’ll send photo but it is, I think, a stardard switch used in the 1930’s and 1940’s and is quite low below the edge of the left front fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The 55er Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 A one inch open end wrench is a nice fit if your switch looks like this as long as you have enough room to get in there and swing it. I thought Eastwood sold the correct size specialty socket in the past but I could be wrong. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalef62 Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Special socket for oil pressure and brake light switch. SK brand here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 Ah Ha! it is the same as the oil pressure sender style.😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roysboystoys Posted June 21, 2022 Share Posted June 21, 2022 It must be badly corroded or cross threaded to not come out easily. I've always used channel lock style pliers to remove them. Plenty of leverage. I have the socket shown , but only used it on oil pressure switches that limited access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootey Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 Thank you all for your contributions. The switch is buried low and makes swinging a wrench, Vice grip, etc. difficult. I will obtain the socket with the hope I can get better leverage with extensions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootey Posted June 21, 2022 Author Share Posted June 21, 2022 Attached are two pictures. I solved the problem and got the switch out. The solution was a half inch drive 1” six point socket. It fit perfectly. I attached a 4 inch extension, a 10 “ extension and a long breaker bar. Thank all of you for getting me through it. The right tool matters and physics matters. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NailheadBob Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 @dalef62Please could you post a picture of the S-K socket number, I can see 4488-S but can't see the rest. Thank You in advance Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalef62 Posted June 22, 2022 Share Posted June 22, 2022 2 hours ago, NailheadBob said: @dalef62Please could you post a picture of the S-K socket number, I can see 4488-S but can't see the rest. Thank You in advance Bob 4488-SK 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootey Posted June 22, 2022 Author Share Posted June 22, 2022 I bought a Lisle 1 1/16 oil pressure sensor socket. It slipped on my brake switch. The 1 inch six point socket fit perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 Shootey, right, your switch was a simple hex. 55er's picture showed a style like oil pressure switches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalef62 Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 9 hours ago, Frank DuVal said: Shootey, right, your switch was a simple hex. 55er's picture showed a style like oil pressure switches. No, his is a normal pressure switch, you are seeing the brass block it threads into. Look closer. The socket I showed has two sizes, 1" and 1 1/16". The pressure switch is 1". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shootey Posted June 23, 2022 Author Share Posted June 23, 2022 Dalef2 you are correct. My switch is exactly like the one in the 55er photo. A 1 inch open end wrench would have fit but I would not have been able to get any leverage in such a tight spot. My socket plus two extensions plus a breaker bar was a little floppy but I was able to stabilize the rig with one hand and swing the breaker bar with the other. The half inch drive size was good for applying some heft. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodge28 Posted June 23, 2022 Share Posted June 23, 2022 You have so much help. There is nothing more I can add. A group of great guys. Cheers and have a nice day. Dodge 28. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank DuVal Posted June 24, 2022 Share Posted June 24, 2022 OK, I see it now, had to blow up picture to see what you saw. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now