156: Removing steering column stalks / Dashboard rattle
James Lucy
read on...)
Work on curing the appalling metallic rattle from the top of the dashboard
continues. I can see the brackets, touch them, and there is no doubt that
the noise is coming from there. The lightest movement of the two centre
brackets provokes that *noise*. Everything is off, including the steering
wheel with its airbag. The only thing preventing me removing the complete
dashboard panel is the set of switches for wipers / lights etc mounted on
the end of the steering column. There is a metal collar behind the switches
secured by a single allen screw that appears to mount the switches to the
column. But I've slackened it, the switches are looser, but they won't come
off. Anyone know how to remove the switch unit? Do you have to remove the
'clockspring' (that takes the wiring to airbag and horn) first?
Incidentally, my dealer told me they charge four hours labour for this job,
although "they can't actually do it in that time". I'm starting to think
that £280 would have been a bargain. Just seems a lot to fix a rattle.
James
James Lucy
"James Lucy" <Ja...@Lucy.net> wrote in message
news:101976647...@triton.uk.clara.net...
Anyone know how to remove the switch unit? Do you have to remove the
> 'clockspring' (that takes the wiring to airbag and horn) first?
I'll answer my own question for anyone looking at this in the future from
Google News search - I figured it out today. The indicator/wiper/lights
switch is removed from the steering column by loosening the circular metal
clamp behind it (a bit like a hose clamp) by unscrewing the allen bolt. Now,
here's the tricky bit - *underneath* the metal clamp is a plastic tab from
the switch that clicks over a ridge on the metal steering column. You have
to lift that tab away from the steering column and then the switch unit
pulls off easily.
You do not have to remove the 'clockspring' from the switch.
Hope this helps someone, sometime!
James
John Longworth
Hi James,
I do not know if this will help you but, about your rattles on the
156.
I have just had my new 147 1600 lusso del. from Ireland, pleased to
say no
rattles. But a couple of months ago I was talking to Ian the service
manager
at Lyles [Italian Connection] of Newcastle,Tel.number 0191 2730700.
you may find him helpful. As we were looking at a 156 in the showroom
rattles and
noises came into the conversation. He told me about a common noise
on early 156's behind the dash and said it would be cured easiest when
the windscreen was removed as you can get at the nuts or screws which
had come loose,
[ a bit of a job.] I guess you might have to wait till you get a
brick through your windsceen. just joking, Hope this is of some use to
you . John
James Lucy
"John Longworth" <johna...@longworth1.fsnet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:c91d79af.02042...@posting.google.com...
<snip>
> But a couple of months ago I was talking to Ian the service
> manager
> at Lyles [Italian Connection] of Newcastle,Tel.number 0191 2730700.
> you may find him helpful. As we were looking at a 156 in the showroom
> rattles and
> noises came into the conversation. He told me about a common noise
> on early 156's behind the dash and said it would be cured easiest when
> the windscreen was removed as you can get at the nuts or screws which
> had come loose,
> [ a bit of a job.] I guess you might have to wait till you get a
> brick through your windsceen. just joking, Hope this is of some use to
> you . John
Yes, thanks for that information. I was aware that there are two schools of
thought on fixing this intolerable rattle - via the windscreen or via the
dashboard. Having taken the dashboard route I have seen exactly where the
problem lies, and while it would be possible to reduce the problem via the
windscreen aperture, the real source of the problem is not properly
accessible that way. Removing the dash has been a terrible job, not least
because without a manual it is a journey into the unknown, but tomorrow I
will be putting it all back together, and I'm confident it will be
rattle-free and remain that way. Providing I'm proved right, I will be
posting some information about it, again for posterity.
I wonder if the insurance companies have noticed a higher-than-usual
incidence of 156 windscreen breakage?
James