Spider retainer

JtownJoe

JtownJoe

Senior Member
About a year ago I replaced the whole steering column on my 30' Tudor and ever since I have not been able to put the spider retainer clip back on. I have tried every method known to man but there just isn't enough horn rod exposed to compress the spring and slide the retainer on. All lights & horn functions do work perfectly as long as the horn & light switch rod doesn't vibrate up enough to disingage from the switch. (Only happens once in a great while) Is it possible that this column is longer & I need a longer horn rod, even though it is long enough to still make the switch work? Confused! Thanx, Joe
 
Joe,

I'm a 28-29 guy,.......buy I think there are 2 or 3 different length light rods, check
the suppliers catalogs for the info on 30-31's.

Dudley
 
bert's catalog lists two lengths of control rods for 30-31 znd THREE lengths of horn rod assy for 30-31. Is there ot a clip at bottom of rods to keep them from moving?
Hope this helps.
Paul in CT
 
Not sure what you mean by:"is there a clip at the bottom of the rods", but I will check with Bratton's to see if the longer horn rod might be an option. Thanx, Joe
 
JtownJoe said:
Not sure what you mean by:"is there a clip at the bottom of the rods", but I will check with Bratton's to see if the longer horn rod might be an option. Thanx, Joe
Click to expand...

By "CLIP" he means that little "horseshoe" or "C" clip that is such a bear to install. Is it really necessary for the horn rod spring to be so strong?

Anyway, if you are using a repro clip, try slipping it in place first, without the spring and spider to make sure it fits. I installed a repro clip a couple weeks ago and after fighting it for a few minutes I removed the spring and spider, then tried to slip the clip in place. It was too tight by a little bit, so I squeezed it in place using a plier to spread it a tad. Then when I put the spring and spider back on the clip went into position right away.
 
Light Switch Spider Install Tool

$ 6.25 and worth every penny.

Snyder's number is A-3643-T, but all of our suppliers have the product.

Tape the horn button down (or get an extra pair of hands to hold it and the light switch in place), push up on the Tool, the "C" retainer snaps right on.

I've noticed that my retainer works better when installed from the passenger side when the light switch is pointed UP. Probably some wear on the shaft after 80 years.
 
Re: Light Switch Spider Install Tool

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I do have the tool and several of the "C" clips but my problem lies with the fact that when I have the spring completely compressed the notch in the horn rod is still not quite visible so I am thinking that a longer rod is needed. I will try Brattons to how much longer the next one is. PS: Have been to Savannah a few times & it is by far my favorite city, it is just beautiful down there! Thanx again, Joe
 
Thanks for the reply, Tom. I did remove the horn rod (on the Tudor it just clears the headliner if carefully bowed when removing) & I have several clips so I test fitted them & all is well when out of the car. My problem is the notch is not even visible when I have the spring fully compressed with a yardstick over the horn button. I was questioning the logic of if the horn & lights could still function if I had one size too short of a horn rod. Thanx again, Joe
 
Hello Joe:
In Snyders catalog they have the light switch rod lengths, when you know the length of yours you will then have to determine which steering box you have.
Brian.
 
If it is only short a little, like 1/16 to 1/8", you may not have fully seated the new column to the steering gear box, or the steering wheel itself may not be seated properly. Either will render the rod too short. I assume you did not remove & reinstall/ replace the upper light switch body?
 
I just did mine this morning with repro parts. Had the same problem, and my clip would not go over the rod. I had an old spider that had no ears left so I compared the two. The repro one was quite a bit longer, so i cut about an 1/8 inch off that and took a dremel tool to the clip and bingo all fits well.
Ed
 
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