How do I remove old headlight switch on 1960 galaxie?

Hey guys so im trying to replace my old headlight switch on my 60 galaxie and i cant figure out how to remove it from the dash. i have a feeling i have to use a flathead screw driver and a hammer and lightly tap the chrome/stainless ring thats on the dash around to remove it.

just wanted to see if anyone knew for sure before i break something.

 

usually you have to take out the knob by pulling it out, then push a little ****on on the switch in back, and it will pull out the rest of the way. Then push in the bezel, turn it a little ways counterclockwise. It's spring loaded and the bezel will pop off when you turn it

This applies to Fords from the mid 50s to mid 60s, iirc

 

There should be a ****on on the portion behind the dash that will release the knob/shaft.

Then it'd be pretty easy to remove from there.

 

Doing this one from memory. There should be a little spring loaded ****on on the backside of the switch, behind the dash. It is a little round ****on either on the top of bottom of the switch that you depress then you can pull out the knob and stem. Then the bezel is slotted so you can use a large screwdriver to turn it counter clockwise, loosening from the dash. The plastic part of the switch should have an electrical plug that just unplugs.

If that isn't correct, sorry, but it is how I remember Fords of that era.

Don

You guys type faster than me.

 

that sounds about right. when i was looking at the new one i was wondering what the hell that little ****on was for. im gonna run out and try that now!

 

You also hold that ****on down when reinserting the stem until it clicks in place, I think.

Don

 

You should not have to push the ****on in when you put the knob back in.

 

Disconnect the battery first. When you do this the head lights will come on and by the time you think about it the battery will be dead.
Don't ask about how I know this.

 

Yeah, the more I think about it the end of the stem has a point that over rides the spring catch so it just pushes in all the way and then is locked in place.

Don

 

48 Chubby kills batteries

 

well you were all correct but now i have a new problem the original knob bar is a different shape then the new headlight switch. should i just grill out a part of the triangle to get the knob in?

 

NO NO NO NO! The shaft works against this little disc to operate the dome light and instrument light dimmer. Find the right shaft.

 

Sounds like either the old or new switch is wrong. Are you saying the shaft from the original switch has a different shape than the opening on the new switch? If so then something is amiss. The triangular hole in the switch shown in your photo is necessary to couple with the shaft of the knob. That is what allows you to turn the knob to dim the dash lights. DON'T drill it out.

 

Check with Matt over at trust you should be able to get one from him.

 

yes, i know turning the knob dims my dash lights, id be drilling it so the new switch is in the same shape as the old one. id be turning the ▲ into D

 

if i remember correctly the one there is the same shape. but ill run up there this saturday because i havent been there in some time now.

 

Make sure the electrical plug fits before you modify the switch.

 

Even if you reshape the hole to match, the shaft retainer in side the switch is made to work with a different shape. All the '60-'61 switches I seen have the triangle shaft with a pointed end and a small groove just before the point.

 

i did and my lights work yay

well damn i may just fab a new rod then..... ****

 

I know my 58 Fairlane, 76 F-250 and I think even my 68 Bronco all have the pointed triangle knob described above....never seeen a Ford headlight knob with a ball on the end of it...hmmm....You can easily find the right shaped shaft in a wrecking yard. You may have to cut it to length

 

theres no ball on the end it just has a rounded/pointed tip

 

Sorry fella's, we've exceded our daily quota on "shaft" references. It's just starting to get a little wierd now.

 

You probably need to shop for parts at a better store....one that sells parts for the car you're working on, not something a year or two newer.

 

Every one I have ever seen was triangular in shape with a groove almost at the end and then a point at the very tip. Post up a picture of the whole shaft on that knob so we can see what you are dealing with.

Don

Here, every one I have ever seen looks just like the one in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4lnYYq7rm8

 

maybe it's a chevy switch...they had a D shaped rod in the 50s

 

Seems like my '59 ford had a small hole next to the bezel . inserted a wire and it releasded the switch shaft.

 

i had them pull out the book for 1960 and they said its the same one for 60-62

 

I don't remember enough about old Fords to know...sorry.

 

I think you have the correct switch. You need to get the shaft.

 

Damn it always getting the shaft lol