Testing 1-2-3
A few tests can quickly identify a bad signal switch, saving the potential frustration of putting together the column and tearing it down again to replace the switch. Here's how to test it:
Horn: The switch provides the ground for the horn relay. This is the black wire. Bridge a test light from the black output wire to a hot source. The light should fire when the horn is depressed, and if it doesn't, suspect a fault in the switch or horn contact plates. Substitute a multimeter for the test light by checking for continuity between the same wires.
Brake lights: The brake lights on Mopars share a common bulb with the turn signal and feed the brake lights through the signal switch. A failure in the turn-signal switch is a common cause of frustration when brake lights refuse to function (the signals may even work fine). To check for a problem in the column, center the turn-signal switch and run a hot jumper wire to the white brake-light feed wire at the switch connector. The test light should come on when contacted to the brown (right rear) and green (left rear) wires, which feed the rear brake/turn light elements. With the switch to the right, only the green should be live, and only the brown should be live when the switch is in the left turn position. If this isn't the case, a problem is in the switch.
Turn signals: The turn signals feed through the red wire, which draws its juice through the signal-flasher unit. To check the signal switch, connect a jumper wire to the white feed wire at the switch connector. There are four output wires for the turn-signal system, one for each corner of the car. Turn the switch to the right. The brown (right rear) and tan (right front) wires should fire a test lamp, and the green (left rear) and light green (left front) wires should be live when you turn the switch to the left. Failing this test, the switch is faulty.
Unscrew and remove the ignition...
Unscrew and remove the ignition switch and key-buzzer switch to finish emptying the column.
At the bottom end of the column...
At the bottom end of the column housing, the lower bushing is held in with a wire bail, and pulls straight out. The lower mount consists of two plates with a rubber seal in between; it releases when the two are separated.
The steering-shaft coupling...
The steering-shaft coupling should be disassembled for clean up and/or rebuilding. The grease in ours looked like asphalt.
With everything stripped out...
With everything stripped out of the column, remove the lock housing and rear movable (shifter arm) housing from the column tube by unbolting them. A small spring connects the rear housing to the tube in locking floor-shift columns.
After cleaning and degreasing,...
After cleaning and degreasing, we stripped all of the column components by blasting with extra-fine silica sand.
The column parts are painted...
The column parts are painted with a semi-flat-black mix of urethane to match the factory color. The upper and floor mounting brackets are painted a glossier shade, as per factory original, while the shaft and coupling get a custom-mixed shade of "bare steel."
With everything cleaned and...
With everything cleaned and painted, the reassembly is the reverse of the teardown, substituting fresh parts as required; some small parts and switches can still be found from the dealer. Year One also carries ignition and signal switches, locks, bearings, and other column parts, or they can be sourced at swap meets or the boneyard. Our ignition switch was loose and showed burnt contacts, so we substituted a good used replacement from an extra column-shift unit we had; ditto for the signal switch. Chrysler used the same style of columns for years with only minor changes, so parts are easily interchangeable.
The column-to-steering-box-coupler...
The column-to-steering-box-coupler components can be lubed with wheel bearing grease. Year One also offers a rebuild kit if your parts are shot.
We cleaned up the steering...
We cleaned up the steering wheel and center piece, and our column was ready for another 30 years of trouble-free service. The detailed column looks fantastic-a nice payoff for a couple days' work.