Indicator stalk return mechanism

[DavidOliver]

I have a 1985 Excel LC and the indicator does not self cancel after turning a bend. The mechanism on the stalk does not contact the metal spring collar on the steering rod.
Does this car normally have a self cancelling indicator function?

[amarshall]

Yes, it should. There should be a collar with a "hump" bent into it on the column to make contact with the self-cancelling mechanism at the end of the stalk.

Marked A006 in diagram 17.05a of the Parts Manual.

[Phantasm]

Anyone know if the cancellation mechanism is adjustable? When turning right, my stalk turns off the instant I pass top dead center.
Example, I'm traveling straight, I'm indicating right turn, and have to follow the slightest of curve to the left, the indicator cancels the moment I lean the wheel to the left.
It works, it's just in the wrong place.
Left turns haven't caused any unusual beavior.

[Phantasm]

I am answering my own question in case it ever helps anyone else...
Yes, it is adjustable but only by 45 degree increments relative to the steering hub. The hub of course is more adjustable with relation to its spline count. Needless to say, mine was installed 45 degrees out of adjustment. This explains why it cancelled so quickly to one direction and was normal in the other, in fact it was probably rather delayed in the other direction and will now be more balanced left to right.

You can see here the tab is not in a nuetral position, the turn signal is engaged to turn right and the cancellation tab is right up against it. This is why it would cancel at the slightest motion to turn left (see prior post). The steering wheel/wheels are positioned straight ahead:


Here is how it can be adjusted, the white plastic nobs fit into the holes/detents on the steering hub, I then repositioned the cancellation ring to the correct normally horizontal position, I also cleaned the grease off, shined up the brass and applied new dielectric grease, screwed everything back together and it's working correctly again:


For anyone looking to remove the steering wheel, it's pretty straight ahead. for my 1991 I pulled off the rubber wheel covering. You can pull out the horn now or remove the 6 torx screws on the steering wheel and pulling that off will pull the horn button with it, be careful the horn wire is still attached back there. With the wheel off, a 3/4" socket will undo the nut retaining the steering hub to the spindle. Remove the nut. Then comes the challenging part. You likely need a puller to remove the hub. The good news is I own one. The bad news is I didn't bring it with me to Germany ( I left many tools back in the states) Thus, I had to improvise and make my own, Here is what I came up with. In the end it worked -barely!!

[John]

Thanks for the tip Bill, mine is doing the same thing and I want to tackle the job sometime soon.

Cheers John

[KevW]

I think you might have gone the long way round with the steering wheel removal Bill.

On my current and previous Excels all I needed to do was to remove the soft crash pad, pop the horn button out and then undo the large retaining nut on the spindle. It's then just a matter of giving the steering wheel a couple of sharp tugs and it comes off the spindle with the boss attached. Just be careful you don't pull too hard and end up giving yourself a fat lip with the steering wheel when it comes free!

[Phantasm]

I did try that for a stint with a rubber mallet, I was unable to generate the force needed to get the wheel off. Doing so also generates a heavy shock load to the steering components (U joints and the like) and is against my nature to damage really important parts trying to fix minor things. You can see from my make-shift puller how much bending pressure was exerted on the tool before it came off and I had that thing cranked pretty tight before it popped off, it was actually my third attempt at pulling it before it popped - it was stuck good!!!.
Safety note: If you do opt for the steering wheel pull method, if you leave the spindle nut loosely threaded/attached to the spindel, if and when the steering hub does pop, the nut will stop the wheel from reaching your head!!!

As an addendum I *think* I found an alternate and Really simple way to do this that does not require removing the steering hub... The plastic cancellation ring that indexes the steering hub is backed by a spring which keeps pressure forward toward the hub. I didn't test it, but it's possible that with some small tools you could reach in and push the ring deep enough toward the dash to disengage the hub and rotate it to the desired position. I even had the thought that perhaps something caused this ring to slip in the reverse manner resulting in the problematic condition in the first place.

[Tanz]

I have tried to remove my steering wheel as my indicators cancel when they shouldn't. Tried pulling the steering wheel off but it wouldn't budge. Removed the wheel and got a puller. I put so much pressure on the boss a piece of it broke off! At that point I gave up and decided to put up with the indicators

P.S. I did remove the nut

[Mr Locust]

Or the Lucas type stalk arrangement from pre-facelift cars.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrlocust/ ... 511425357/

Note: Wiper stalk removed ready to dismantle indicator. The lower (turn left) cancel mechanism was broken on this one and the dip switch failed.

[Phantasm]

Tanz,
like I stated in my previous post, you *may* be able to correct the innacurate cancellation issue if it's the same as mine with some small tools. There is a 1/4" or so gap between the steering hub and the turn signal stalk. The cancellation ring is spring loaded. You might be able to push the ring toward the front of the car, disengage the round indices from the hub and then rotate it without ever removing the hub. Worth a go, you just need to remove the top and bottom shroud/covers to check.

[Tanz]

Tanz,
like I stated in my previous post, you *may* be able to correct the innacurate cancellation issue if it's the same as mine with some small tools. There is a 1/4" or so gap between the steering hub and the turn signal stalk. The cancellation ring is spring loaded. You might be able to push the ring toward the front of the car, disengage the round indices from the hub and then rotate it without ever removing the hub. Worth a go, you just need to remove the top and bottom shroud/covers to check.

OK thanks for that - This job keeps getting pushed down the priority list but will let you know how I get on