Customs Everything I got is broke…

The turn signals in the DeSoto wagon have been working erratically, and brake lights. Not good since the wagon this replaced was rear ended. Today set about fixing them, I figured it was the switch behind the wheel because when the left side didn’t work (which was almost always) if I momentarily turned the right signal on then came to the left, everything worked.
I pulled the wheel and started trying to get the switch out, and immediately broke the tiny fiber back of the switch with the contacts. Not a big deal I thought, as it didn’t work anyway, until I started searching for a new one.
Yikes! They are out there. NOS, for between $200-$300 for the tiny, 70 year old switch. A new column, tilt, with modern guts is half that, and tilt to boot which will make sliding under the steering wheel much easier.
So, I’m ordering up a SS tilt column, a Chevy butterfly style wheel and now I have two cars down in the shop. The column I shortened to 30” with a double D shaft already, so a new one will be bolt in. As long as I’m ordering from Speedway I’m getting a white, 3 spoke ‘flake wheel for the Impala. Might as well work on ‘em all…

 

If replacing with a column,
All the ones $500 or less Junk even some so call Name brands $900 ,
Chose one wisely , if ordering make sure can return if not to your standards,
It might be best to buy local / speed shop So more likely no problem on return ,,, I have hade 4 or so from different manufacturers , out of box
Play in , I took one apart to to check insides out , Me was scary with Bs cast parts ...
Oem is best way I feel to go ,
Or make your own if you're capable of.

 

Spend a the money and buy another switch. Way easier. Be sure to keep track of all cost’s to get all your that modern stuff in and place.

 

^^^^ This. A $350 Chinesium column plus buying another steering wheel won't save you any money, plus the hassle of wiring and getting the shifter detents right. $300 for a NOS OEM switch? A bargain.... and remember just how long it worked!

 

Glad to know that someone else operates like me.....next time I break the outrageousobtainium...I will know I have a brother in breakage...
I'd just get pissed, put it back together with brake lights wired to default and use hand turn signals
I know, I know...you pull a trailer....so good luck

 

"a new one will be bolt in"

Famous last words.

 

Shifter? What shifter? I’ve used several Chinesium columns and all have been AOK. If it doesn’t work you can say I told you so.”

 

The steering column arrived today. The length is the same. The double "D" shaft is the same. The column drop I bought has bolt hole centers the same as the originals. The swivel base mount will fasten to the floor board by drilling 4 holes. The wiring will connect, with he same color coding as the new harness in the car, with a handful of connectors. I fail to see a downside here.

 

Do you need a park neutral switch. Some of the column shifter units do have a place to mount one?

 

No shifter in the column, not an issue.

 

If your signals and brake lights don't work after the install of the new column, bust out the multimeter and check that GM style wiring connector. They don't make em like they used to. I ended up cutting the connector off on the PU and using a multipin connector I bought at West Marine.

 

I don’t think it’ll be an issue, the wiring harness uses the same color wires for the steering column harness, I had traced out and ID’d the linen wrapped wires in the OG harness, and, had in not been for the worn out switch, they worked properly. If they don’t, it’ll be relatively easy to swap the connectors until I do. I thought it was handy that whoever made the pretty column drop used a ‘52 DeSoto mount as a pattern as it’s the same bolt pattern. The steering wheel, ‘53 GMC ‘butterfly” wheel, should be here today. I can’t use the beautiful DeSoto ivory wheel as the splined shaft is 3/4”, the new column has the standard 5/8” shaft. I’m excited to get it back together!

 

For all y’all who said it wouldn’t “bolt right in”, I don’t mind saying “I told you so”. Just waiting now on the wheel and plugging the turn signal/flasher harness in.

 

@FlynBrian ,
The only Issue I had with those columns was the Moment in Tilt
On bench was Like .050 - .100 thoe
By Hand , wants installed with Steering wheel 3/16 to 1/4 inch @ Hand on Steering wheel , Rocking Up & Down
Not that much Side to side ,
I took apart Tilt end Seen cheap cast parts , cheap plastic , I decided to take a Gm 1965 Tilt make fit a 1.500 out side
Diameter to fit stock 32 ford drop & make work the original lock Steer that a 32 has

 

I’m cheap. I used a small gm column from a motorhome.
No shifter. No key switch.
EZ to get parts for
Simple cut to length.

 

No slop or play in this at all. I’m very pleased with how this fit, looks and the finish is excellent. No complaints at all.

 

I understand about everything being broke, especially my Bank account.

 

Some days, it seems like when one thing fails, everything falls in line to fail too.

There are a lot of times that after everything has failed, and the 1st thing gets fixed, everything falls in line there as well.

Everything being broke at the same time sucks, but when everything gets fixed at the same time life is great.

I think I would rather have those conditions where things are doing stuff together, at the same time, it would be better if it happened at the 50% level instead of at the 100% level though..

 

Good to hear ,
Just try to give a Honest Feed back
2 where cheap under $200
One was a Ididit or flaming River,

 

I’d been putting off attending to the turn signals erratic function too long, and hated the huge wheel too close to the seat since I built the car. This addresses both issues at the same time. In addition, the column still had the factory shift lever, which isn’t used now, and lastly the chrome plating on that and the turn signals stalk was long gone. The cost was pretty reasonable for the benefit, and I really like new steering wheel I ordered, which should be here tomorrow. The column is beautifully polished and compliments the interior. It’s a winner. We have a week long camping trip coming up, I should be able to it all buttoned back up so we can use the car instead of the Diamond T truck.

 

I didn’t have an old motor home to cannabalize, I hate U-pick yards, and I love polished stainless. For those reasons, and the price, around $200 and free shipping, along with being able to get exact length I needed, this clicked all the boxes.

 

If you still want the big Desoto wheel, perhaps getting an adapter is doable.

 

trouble is that splined bushing would be about tinfoil!

 

Yup. Not much meat between 5/8" and 3/4". I've got a beautiful GMC pickup "Butterfly" wheel on the way. Actually it was supposed to be here today...

 

The new wheel arrived today, I couldn’t wait see how it was gonna look. It’s made to fit an early 50’s Chevy truck column, so it kind of snuggles down into the much larger diameter collar in this one. That’s fine, but it means I can’t use the horn ring in the wheel. I didn’t have the other one hooked up either. I think it looks great.

 

I want one! Where did you get it?

 

Mr .Anthony , I just took one out of a 70 series cab . No keyboard, no shifter . It’s straight , Corvette hub matches perfectly , easily cut to the length I need . Garage door bearing fits shaft and tube as if thats what it’s made for . Does get any better . Only 3 GM parts in the 32 : steering column , 12 SI alternator , park brake pedal .

 

And I bought mine for $15

 

Freebee for me . “ Jump up on the stack and get it , it’s in the crusher , this afternoon . “ 2 bolts , electrical plug and outlet it came with me .