Spark/Gas Control Rod Installation

Bergy

Member
I've been trying for hours to stab the two control rods back into the tubes in the steering column, with no success. Does anybody have a simple trick to stab these in?

Its a 7 tooth steering column. The steering shaft is already installed in the lower bushing, etc. I have the two rods stabbed through the upper bushing.

I've tried sighting them in both at once, individually, etc , no luck.
I've tried a thin guide wire (through the pin hole)s to get them to the right spot, no luck.
Etc, Etc.

Thanks in advance from a novice.
 
I just keep at it. It will happen eventually. Make sure you have your anti-rattlers on the rods.
 
I had the same problem as you with the top chrome plug installed. What I did was remove the top plug. It is easy to remove the steering shaft to allow the plug to be removed. Once the plug is loose, it is easier to align the spark and gas rods through the holes in the column. Don't forget to either wrap some electrical tape around the middle of the rods so they don't rattle when you hit a bump. There are anti-rattlers parts outfits sell, but a dozen or more wraps of plastic electrical tape work just fine. Be sure to align the tape on both rods.

I had another problem with fluid leakage even though I used the tube type bottom plug. The 600W gear oil was leaking through one of the bolt holes. I tried Permatex and it helped a little, but didn't totally stop the leak. What finally stop the leak was I used some cotton or polyester thread and wrapped it around the bolt just under the head about 10 or 15 times with some more Permatex and tightened it good. That solved the leak problem for good.
Rusty Nelson
 
I agree with Ray, just keep at it and it will come. It would be easier with the steering shaft out, then you can somewhat see the rods. I would have the rod handles pointed straight apart from each other, then lift the outer end of the handle while you push the rod down into the hole. The antirattlers are probably holding the rods more towards the center of the tube, and that's why you need to lift up on the outside end of the levers to pull the lower ends towards the outside of the tube. Original antirattlers were rubber, and they might be harder to work with then the felt replacements, unless the felts are way too large.
 
Once you get the rods in you still need to compress the springs on the end. I tried that for two days, What I did was tie a soft wire around the end of the spring and feed it up parallel with the column. pull it tight and tie it to the wheel,
 
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