My '81's turn signal is not returning. I understand that a plastic piece/tab in the back of the steering wheel is supposed to fit into the hole in the plastic ring under the steering wheel and if I turn this ring by hand it will cancel the turn signal. So the mechanism works. Trouble is that I can't seem to get the steering wheel to sit flush with the plastic ring underneath. Or maybe it isn't supposed to. But on the back of the steering wheel the piece that sticks out from the steering wheel is really short and doesn't sit in the hole on the plastic ring. So I'm thinking it could be...
- the piece on the back of the steering wheel has broken off (it's only about 1/8" long)
- the steering wheel isn't sitting down far enough - should the back of the steering wheel be flush with the plastic ring?

both left and right or just one side?

Both left and right. If I turn the ring with the steering wheel off the turn signals return fine. It's just the tab/screw from the steering wheel doesn't seem long enough to sit into the hole in the plastic ring.

Here's a few pictures that might help...

The tab/screw on the steering wheel (too short / broken off?)




The plastic ring with the hole at 6 o'clock


The space between the tab and the hole in the plastic ring


If the plastic tab/screw is broken off, what's the best way to fix this?

Hmmm, sorry, you got me there. I had the situation where the steering wheel was misregistered (I.e. it was bolted on in a position where it was not at center of motion of the lock-to-lock), and then the wheels were aligned. This resulted in one of the turn signals not being able to be used. It would bump into the turn off when you tried to turn it on. Remounted the steering wheel and realigned (using string method) and it fixed it. But it doesn't look like this is the problem here. Sorry I can't be of more help.

It's been a long time since I had one apart but I think the little pin that is not engaging is stuck in a pushed back position. I am thinking it is spring loaded to come out of the plastic piece that is pressed into the steering wheel hub. You might try some light oil or penetrating oil to free it up. Maybe grab it with a pliers and pull on it.

spider2081 wrote:It's been a long time since I had one apart but I think the little pin that is not engaging is stuck in a pushed back position. I am thinking it is spring loaded to come out of the plastic piece that is pressed into the steering wheel hub. You might try some light oil or penetrating oil to free it up. Maybe grab it with a pliers and pull on it.

Wow! You're brilliant! It was just a stuck pin. Once I lubed it I pulled it out with a pair of pliers and now it works great. Thanks!