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Update and yet more questions re: steering column ![]() Posted by Arabiflora [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Re: Need expertise troubleshooting turn signal flasher, Arabiflora ![]() |
I'm back... Since my last post, I've discovered two things that may be of interest to those experiencing flasher/hi-low switching at the signal stalk.
The last one first: I described in prev post that I couldn't trigger the switch between high and low beam settings on headlights upon (partial) installation of the used turn signal control unit. However, those tests were done with the new old unit hanging from its wires, once I mounted it properly to the turn signal/wiper control housing and anchored the latter back onto the steering column mount, it's all good, the hi/low tug works just as designed-- Huzzah!
The directionals also engage upon command. The remaining problem is that they don't disengage upon completion of a turn. Closer inspection of the intersection of the white tab/boss that extends from the signal control unit and black tab on the steering column that is supposed to trigger cancellation revealed that the black tab is ~5-10 mm outward from where it needs to be in order to actually make contact with the white tab and cancel the indicator.
Hat tip to RS who has been very generous with his time and advice, both via email and even phone, but I'm going to post to the wider community in hopes of finding a solution, in hopes that other who might have to deal with this might have a map out of Saab repair hell.
Specifically, it seems that what I need to do is, at minimum, loosen the pinch clamp on the lower (firewall-facing) end of the u-joint that connects the steering column to the intermediate shaft (as per Bentley, Figure 1, section 641) and somehow re-seat the steering wheel shaft/u-joint along the spline of the intermediate shaft about 5-10 mm deeper than present configuration.
I also gather that I'll have to "carefully pry off the steering wheel pad" (it's an '89, no airbag) and d/c electrical connections, make a record of st shaft/st wheel alignment, and then remove the mounting nut and then st wheel, itself.
The Bentley manual provides a guide to complete removal of the collapsible cage and steering column assembly, involving removal of 4 bolts that hold the assembly to the chassis. However, all I want to do is drive the st shaft/u-joint 5-10 mm deeper onto the splined of the intermediate shaft.
I guess my question boils down to this: Might it be sufficient to merely loosen the u-joint pinch clamp and the 4 st column mounting bolts, use a black of wood and BFH to drive the St column a bit deeper into the int' shaft, check that the black tab then comes within striking distance of the white tab (it's always a black-white conflict, am I right?), cinch it all back down and tight and call it done (save reinstallation of cruise control harness, steering wheel, wheel nut, steering wheel pad electrical connections, steering wheel pad, the piece of ductwork that connects the heater core to parts unknown and fell down onto the foot pedals while in traffic, the knee bolster, center console and ashtray... sigh).
If you've read this far, thanks for your interest, but I can only assume you are in a similar situation or just a glutton for verbal punishment. Either way, I hope this post might help you out and hope even more that someone who's been down this road before will chime in and lead me/us out of this wilderness.
Scott
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