Headlamp twist knob ball and spring replacements?

Contact Verell at Unobtainium Supply. You'll find him on here. He's the guru of how-to as far as the switch stalks in the 3x8s goes. He redid the ones in the '78 308 I had and did a brilliant job at that. He can probably help you out.

 

Just been there... The spring is .40 (10mm) long with a coil diameter of .157 ( 4 mm) and uses .030 (.76 mm) wire with 6 coils. The Ball is .185 dia (4.69mm). I think any thing close to these dim's should work. I found a good local hardware store with a close match. Or McMaster-Carr has a good match, you may have to cut the spring to length. Pain in the butt switch.

 

Just been there... The spring is .40 (10mm) long with a coil diameter of .157 ( 4 mm) and uses .030 (.76 mm) wire with 6 coils. The Ball is .185 dia (4.69mm). I think any thing close to these dim's should work. I found a good local hardware store with a close match. Or McMaster-Carr has a good match, you may have to cut the spring to length. Pain in the butt switch.

 

thank you for that post, seriously !

 

+1 Tired of flashing people when I reach for the turn signals!

 

Aaron,
I'm sending your ball & spring out Monday. No charge for them or for for 1st class mail, or you can send me $4.90 PayPal for priority mail & get 2nd or 3rd day delivery.

You'll have to cut the spring to length, just fit it into the hole & cut it with about 1/2 turn extending out of the hole. Then put some dielectric grease on the spring & install it with the cut end inwards. The dialectric grease itn's absolutely necessary, it's to keep the spring from shooting out if/when pressure on it is released.

 

Shashi,
See preceding post. Send $4.90 PayPal to [email protected], or email your address to the same for 1st class mail.
Verell

 

I just had to re-order these springs. The little precision springs & SS balls cost quite a bit more than I was remembering.

Starting now, please send $8.90 PayPal to: [email protected] for a ball & spring pair. They'll ship USPS Priority Mail, so you should receive them in less than a week, usually about 3 days.

You'll have to cut the spring to length, just fit it into the hole & cut it with about 1/2 turn extending out of the hole. Then put some dielectric grease on the spring & install it with the cut end inwards.

The dialectric grease is not absolutely necessary, it's to keep the spring from shooting out in case pressure on it is suddenly released.

 

Thanks, Verell. The spring an ball were missing from mine and now the switch clicks nice and tight. No more inadvertent flashing. Awesome.

 

The ball is a 3/16" ball bearing and the spring is a #1- 5/32" X 1" long. These are available at Ace Hardware. Buy 2 of each because you will loose one when doing the job.
The spring will have to be cut to about 1/2-5/8" with a Dremel tool or grinding wheel. Grind the end flat after you cut it.
DO NOT test fit the ball into the pod because it will fall in and stay there forever. Place the spring inside the hole for it, balance the ball on the spring and push it down while sliding the knob over the switch. After the first set shoots off into Never-Never Land, you will be glad you bought two.