MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Turn signal self-cancelling clip on steering column

I've cleaned up the steering column on my 74B, but am having one helluva time trying to replace the self-cancelling clip with resets the turn signals. I had no problem prying the thing off with a screwdriver while on the workbench, but my attempts to put it back have been unsuccessful. Are there any tricks that I've missed. I've tried vice-grips, a pipe wrench, and clamps without any luck. The opening in the clip just won't spread wide enough to slip on the column. I guess I could take the steering column out of the car, and then pound the clip with a hammer, but I'd prefer not to, since I've already had the column in and out about 5 times in the last couple of weeks. Any suggestions?
SteveO

Are you trying to slip the clip onto the column from the side? If so then remove the steering wheel and slide it down from the top - that way it doesn't need to open so much.
Miles Banister

Hi Steve. Strange, I just removed one on a spare column and replaced it with vice-grips. I don't
understand why it will not work for you. Good luck. Clifton
Clifton Gordon

I've tried everything that my feeble little mind can come up with. I've increased the clip opening in an attempt to slide it down from the top, as well as trying to get it in from the side. It's hard to believe that the clip ever came off of the column. When I try sliding it down from the top, I can't get enough leverage to spread the clip opening so that it can clear the threads that the steering boss slides onto. I've hesitated spreading the clip opening any further for fear that it will be too wide to maintain it's position on the steering column if I ever do get it on. I've read some threads where people can't get the clip to hold position unless it's been drilled and screwed into the column. I'm trying to avoid doing this. All attempts at pressing it on from the side have resulted in a flying projectile, then the 10 minute search around the garage trying to find the clip. I'm sure when I do get it on, I'm going to sigh a deep 'DOH!!!!', but for now it's still beating me.
Clifton, I think you must have magic hands because you seem to have had a much easier time putting your columns back together than I have so far.
Thanks guys!
SteveO

Steve, when you do get your cancelling clip on again, if it has become loose, you may have to do as I did, and rivet the little hummer to the steering column once set to the correct position. Just a heads up. My clip had a tendency to wander (it was loose to begin with!) and so I had to anchor it with a small aluminum rivet. FYI
Bob Muenchausen

Why give yourself so much agro? Just turn the darn things off manually. As the switch gets weaker, the self-cancelling fails anyway.
Mike
Mike Howlett

Hi Mike, I am not one who likes all the fancy mod cons and automatic features found in modern cars these days but automaticly cancelling blinkers is one thing I really do like!

When mine started to fail (one side first) I just built up the top of the little clip with some epoxy glue to increase it's height. I made a small tube of masking tape around the knobbly bit then turned the wheel so the clip was pointing up and filled the little tape tube with the epoxy glue. When it had dried I removed the tape and used a Dremel tool to sand the epoxy to the right shape.

Seems to be working fine now! There is still a lot of slack in the stalk though which is annoying.

Simon
S Jansen

Simon,

I had the same problem and solved it by drilling and inserting a small rivet. The rivet now hits the cancell thingies and works fine.

Graham
GRAHAM HOYLE

Mike, I thought about just leaving it off, but I just can't accept the fact that I cannot figure out how to get such a simple little clip back on. I'm just not willing to be beaten by such a stupid little thing. Yet!

Bob/Graham, I'm curious about how you used the rivet as I have a feeling that by the time I finally get the clip on, I may have caused it to be really loose around the column. Did you drill a hole in the clip, and then insert the rivet to take up the extra space or am I missing part of the process?

Thanks for all your help guys!
SteveO

Steve, in my case, my "trip cam" was already loose and drifting its way around the column, screwing up the cancelling. I simply aligned the trip cam where it should be, and then drilled a small hole for a small aluminum rivet I had through one "leg" of the collar and down about 1/16" into the column. I just pounded the rivet in until it bottomed out and then spread. This has held the trip cam in place for about 12 yrs. now. You could probably do the same with a pop rivet.
Bob Muenchausen

Steve,

Go get yourself a carpenter's G clamp and just squeeze the little b****r onto the column.
Chris Betson

SUCCESS!!!
I finally got the bloody thing on. I ended up jamming the thickest standard screwdriver that I had, through the narrowest part of the clip which just allowed it to slip over the steering column thread. I then began lightly tapping the clip until I had positioned it in it's proper place on the steering column. I won't have to worry about using the rivet method; this clip will never budge. I took my hammer to it to see if it would move, but now it's as if it's welded to the steering column.
Thanks for everyone's help. This seemed like an exercise in futility for the longest time.
SteveO

This thread was discussed between 29/05/2002 and 31/05/2002

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.