Problem with the RT turn signal unit

[EZ$]

While waiting for the paint to be completed, I retrieved the go kart from the painter to fix and/or correct some items that need to be done before the body goes on for hopefully the final time. Had to replace the windshield, and a few other items, but the one thing that has me flummoxed is that the piece of the RT turn signal unit with the stem is supposed to be anchored to the column by the one screw on the underside, but it easily slides forward and back, and would rotate around the column without resistance. Now the turn signals were operating perfectly before it went to the painter, but somehow that collar is no longer anchored in place. I tried positioning it and then tightening the screw, but that is doing nothing. I watched Frank's (ie427) you tube video where he completely disassembles the unit, and he explained how that screw works, but no luck. There appears to be an indent in the column, along with some scratches through the black finish where the screw was previously(??), but it is too far away from the billet aluminum collar to be correct.

Anyone had this issue, and what did you do to fix it? If I need to pull the unit completely apart I need to do it now before the body goes back on. I dread the idea of having to pull it off, but if that's what it is going to take, oh well. Thanks for all ideas.

[CaptB]

Reach out to Russ, he's pretty accessible and will answer.

[michael everson]

The painter or someone else may have removed the screw rather than just loosening it and lost the tab that is on the end of the screw. You could look for the tab on the floor of your car or just get a longer screw wo it reaches the tube.
Mike

[EZ$]

Spoke to Russ earlier. I may not have explained the issue correctly. Mike, I hesitate to completely remove the screw just yet just in case the tab is still there, but I didn't realize that that would be an option. I'll call and talk to Russ again.

Thanks guys.

[EZ$]

Spoke with Russ again. Actually, a couple of times! At first it wasn't making sense, but then I pushed the face of the dash back at the steering column. That's when I saw the edge of where Russ turns the column down so that the turn signal switch unit slides onto the column. I wasn't anywhere near far enough onto the column with the switch unit. I still had one inch of turned area left. We decided that the only way to correct the problem was to disassemble the steering hub so that the turn signal switch could be slid further down the column. So, I removed the steering wheel quick release, and proceeded to pull the hub. Turned out to not be that difficult. Once it was off, I could see inside, and realized that the pin on the end of the screw that anchors the switch unit was through but was caught on the end of the column tube, so it had nothing to anchor against. I backed the screw out just far enough to make it disappear from site and slid the switch on another 1/2 to 3/4". After anchoring that screw, I put the hub in place putting a touch of anti-seize on the column. I loosened the set screw on the steering column at the pillow block and took a dead blow rubber mallet and tapped the hub in place to achieve about a 1/16" or so between it and the switch. At this point I put the steering column screw in the center of the column, tightened the set screw in the pillow block and tightened the screw in the center of the column. Unfortunately, the hub must not have been completely on even with the tapping with the mallet and it drew the hub down too tight against the switch hub. Duh, before I tapped the hub in place, I should have tightened that center screw and drawn the center hub as far onto the steering shaft as possible first, and then tapped it down close to the switch hub and tightened the set screw in the pillow block. That just means that I need to loosen the pillow block set screw, use a slide hammer and bring the hub assembly along with the steering shaft out a bit retighten the center screw to lock it, drive the shaft back down to an accurate spacing, and retighten the set screw.

Kind of a long-winded way of saying that if I don't do things at least two or three times I'm never sure I did them right! No wonder this car has taken so long to build!!