Removing the multi-function switch lever?

[peppermrj]

Need to replace the lever for the turn signal switch on the 1985. Any tips on the removal. Not having much luck and don't want to break anything.

[pro-five-oh]

Remove the 3-ish screws at the bottom of the column, that will remove the bottom shroud from the top. The top shroud comes off pretty easily, you have to tilt the steering wheel all the way down to help it off.

[peppermrj]

I don't want to remove the entire switch just the lever. It t will not budge.

[Wolfe_83Conti]

On my and pro's Conti's, that lever just pulls straight out, but your model year is different, I believe. For yours, you will have to take the column apart to remove the lever, since the '84 restyle modernized the Conti quite a bit. The unit is a switch and lever all in one, so there's a few screws inside the column unit that need to come out. And yes, you will have to remove the covers. Talk to some of the Mark VII folks about this one, since they have a very similar setup.

[peppermrj]

Hmm. According to my local lincoln dealer the lever is sold seperately. I was hoping this was so.

[Wolfe_83Conti]

Some dealers are on crack. They might be considering the lever and the switch as the lever itself. Buick did this to me. Go back and ask to see the part, and if they don't have one, go elsewhere. After my dealings getting a replacement door latch, I don't take their word for it anymore, because they are thinking along a different track. I got wierd looks when I asked for the latch off of an Explorer for the Conti and you know what? That latch that they said wouldn't work is now installed perfectly in my driver door. So, ask to see the part, and report back. :cool:

Also, in your case, I'd ask to see a lever/switch from a T-bird, Mark VII, or Cougar. Make sure to get the model years right, since they switched styles in the 90s.

[pro-five-oh]

Granted I don't have any shop manuals handy, but I doubt the lever and the switch are separate parts on these cars. Maybe they are, but they'll come off the column together. And the 1982-83 Contis have the same basic mechanism there, the 84-87s just have redesigned plastic cases for the levers. Nothing changed significantly.

[gadget73]

They do seperate if its the same switch as a Townie.

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?t=3953&highlight=signal+lever

[Wolfe_83Conti]

Mine is like that. I think peppermrj has a different switch in his car. He should have been able to just pull the lever out if his was like mine and pro's cars, which are like the TCs. Otherwise, he may have one of those one-piece switch/levers like I had in the Buick.

[Nick]

It'll pull straight off. It's not even tight enough to be a press fit so you will be fine with a good tug.

[Wolfe_83Conti]

Mine sort of falls out. :rofl:

[peppermrj]

I'm going to let my wife yank it for me. I don't think she will be able to break it off. ;)

[Wolfe_83Conti]

(Not going there.)

[cason1]

I'm going to let my wife yank it for me. I don't think she will be able to break it off. ;)

When in doubt, let the woman yank it for a little while. An extra set of hands is always a good thing.:D