13 replies to this topic

[iwatkins]

Hi All,

As title really. I need to replace a broken reverse light switch. Any chance of doing it with the car jacked up on axle stands? If so, jack up both sides at the front or jack up both ends on the drivers side?

Cheers

Ian

Title should be axle not axel.

Edited by iwatkins, 26 March 2013 - 08:05 PM.

[Dan]

You can do it from the driver's seat if you are talking about a rod change car. Just have to take out the gear gaiters.

[A-Cell]

Easy yes, jack up and axle stands at front.

[iwatkins]

Oops, 1990 Studio 2.

Really Dan, you can get to it from inside the car after removing rubber gator, carpet etc? Didn't look to be enough room.

Cheers

Ian

[Spud_133]

Yep, I done mine today. The worst bit is cutting the cable ties on the steady bar, but you could do that from underneath

[Dan]

You don't have to pull the carpet, just the rubber gaiter and the foam one under it. There's plenty of room, the selector hole is pretty big and you only need to get a spanner through there. If the one you are pulling out is definitely dead you can cut the cables right off it which makes it easier to unscrew too.

[iwatkins]

Thanks Dan, I'll give it a go. Will save me freezing my butt off outside :)

Yes, old one defo dead, melted wires and one broken at the switch.

Cheers

Ian

[iwatkins]

Ok, we'll Dan is right. Managed to get the old one out from inside the car no bother but it was scraping the top of the exhaust to get it out for the last few turns.

So getting the new one in was no chance as I couldn't get it straight enough to start the thread. Even if I did, it would have torn the wires off after several turns.

So I either need to drop the exhaust or the gear selector.

I could undo the two nuts holding the gear selector to the tunnel but would I be able to push the selector over to the left enough to get the switch in without damaging the rods or their connections at the gearbox?

Cheers

Ian

[Dan]

Yes dropping the selector housing is the easiest thing to do as you can do it all from inside. it won't damage anything and it will move about loads when it's free. It's heavier than you think. Is your exhaust standard? There is usually enough room for doing this.

[iwatkins]

Thanks Dan.

I'll try dropping the selector with a wood "brick" (4" x 4") underneath and some wire to hold it when it drops.

Exhaust is an RC40. But previous owner should have been named Mr.Bodger hence I think it being so close is one of his "things". Well not too close more too high in the tunnel. Exhaust is actually about an inch from the switch but the top is level with it hence struggling to get the thread started on the new switch.

I'll drop the selector tomorrow and give it a go. Have some heat shield material so will wrap the right side of the selector once the switch is in.

Thanks for the help again Dan.

Cheers

Ian

[Dan]

Good idea, the proximity of the exhaust is obviously what has melted the switch wiring before. This can be quite a pain as you can get all kinds of problems when the broken wiring flaps about and shorts to the exhaust at random. Good idea to have something to rest it on too but it won't hurt anything to hang it for a little while, you can lift it all up and down with the gear stick.

[iwatkins]

No joy Dan

Turns out Mr. Bodger has actually bolted the exhaust onto the bracket that holds the selector to the tunnel.

So it'll need to be jacked up or ramped to do this job. Exhaust is slightly blowing at the backbox anyway so I'll get the guys down the road to sort the exhaust mounting which will then give enough room to get the switch in.

But thanks again for the help.

Cheers

Ian

[Dan]

Ah well that will explain why the exhaust is in a funny place!

[iwatkins]

Indeed Dan, indeed. :)