Spark control lever detents worn

[GPierce]

Is there a fix for worn spark and throttle control lever detents short of replacing the steering column?
Mine are worn almost smooth.

 

[nkaminar]

What I have done is put a small length of plastic or rubber tubing over the control lever. It keeps the lever from wandering and keeps the detents from wearing further.

 

[alexiskai]

In previous threads, various fixes have been proposed. I recall someone suggested chiseling new detents in. Someone else suggested increasing the spring pressure on the levers so the worn detents would hold better. I like the non-destructive approach of the flexible tubing idea, but you wouldn't regain the click-click-click nature of the original detents.

 

[oponui1]

With a hacksaw, just follow the grooves and cut new ones . Works great

 

[Bob from Northport]

Use a small thin three sided file and carefully file each groove on each side. Works fine

 

[McMimmcs]

Use a small thin three sided file and carefully file each groove on each side. Works fine

This is what my mechanic did and it worked very well. Just like new.

 

[Patrick L.]

I've filed them and it works, but, Tom W came up with the idea of using a chisel so no material is removed. I like that idea.

 

[Ernie Vitucci]

Good afternoon...on a few Model 'A's...where the spark lever plate has been worn smooth, we have just used a medium hammer and bent the plate up just a little bit until there is friction between the plate and the lever...maybe not good for show...but does work for go! Ernie in Arizona

 

[d.]

I remember a post from the 80's where the owner soldered a BB to the bottom of the control lever...said it worked great, including the "click".

 

[abachman3]

I have welded up the rods and filed them back to a slight point. Worked quite well... but yes, you need to remove the rods to do this fix.

 

[David R.]

When I rebuilt my steering gear I re-cut all the detents with a three corner file and welded up the worn bottom of spark and throttle rods and filed them back to a slightly V shape so they click in the notches nicely now. I also replaced the tension springs and brazed up and re-shaped worn ball ends on the levers.

 

[redmodelt]

Use a small thin three sided file and carefully file each groove on each side. Works fine

T, A or other cars do the same thing.

 

[big job]

A dremel and cut off wheel and a steady hand nice and clean and fast . That was the
fix on Ford tractors....

 

[GPierce]

Thanks to all of you responders. Now I have good idea how to proceed.