could use some help... get this i accidentally broke my turn signal arm off the colum
06-01-2009, 12:34 AM
#1
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could use some help... get this i accidentally broke my turn signal arm off the colum anyone know how to swap this out, i hope i can fix it, and not have to replace the entire column!
my pant leg caught it when i was stepping into the car over the door bar on the drivers side and snapped it clean off! fuc% !!!!!
any help is appreciated!
my pant leg caught it when i was stepping into the car over the door bar on the drivers side and snapped it clean off! fuc% !!!!!
any help is appreciated!
06-01-2009, 12:38 AM
#2
You don't have to replace the entire column. If you're lucky, you may just have to replace the arm itself. But if you broke the signal switch, then you'll have to replace that. No need to do the entire column, but you'll have to take off the steering wheel and check to see what has happened to the switch itself.
06-01-2009, 12:56 AM
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i think the same thing happened to me. i was merging and i guess it got stuck, its always been sticky, and the switch just snapped.
I broke the switch itself, and even then I didn't have to replace the entire column, so you might only have to replace the arm, depending what broke. you should be good.
I broke the switch itself, and even then I didn't have to replace the entire column, so you might only have to replace the arm, depending what broke. you should be good.
06-01-2009, 01:33 AM
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Just take out the airbag/steering wheel and get it down to where the old lever used to be. Take what's left of the lever out (minding the wires) and put in a new lever.
06-01-2009, 06:45 AM
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that being said. i have my are but my windshield washer button doesn't work. how exactly do you take the airbag and steering wheel off without popping the airbag or having to take it to a dealership so they can redo the airbag thing. i honestly have no idea where to start.
06-01-2009, 09:33 AM
#8
that being said. i have my are but my windshield washer button doesn't work. how exactly do you take the airbag and steering wheel off without popping the airbag or having to take it to a dealership so they can redo the airbag thing. i honestly have no idea where to start.
06-01-2009, 12:08 PM
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Go to the shbox.com site for details on undoing the airbag system. You need to follow it religiously b/c if you don't you might have the airbag light on forever 
After you take the airbag out (it's held in with 2 T30 torx screws on the back side) there is a ~20mm nut the holds the steering wheel on. Remove the nut and then use a steering wheel puller in the only two places the bolts for the puller can go. After the wheel is off take out whatever you can (most likely the only thing you can remove is the airbag sensor inside the column) and then use a steering column compressor tool to push on the lockplate until you can get to the snap ring that holds the lockplate in place. After the lockplate is out you should be able to reach the turn signal cam, the key-lock cylinder, and the wiper blade arm!
After you take the airbag out (it's held in with 2 T30 torx screws on the back side) there is a ~20mm nut the holds the steering wheel on. Remove the nut and then use a steering wheel puller in the only two places the bolts for the puller can go. After the wheel is off take out whatever you can (most likely the only thing you can remove is the airbag sensor inside the column) and then use a steering column compressor tool to push on the lockplate until you can get to the snap ring that holds the lockplate in place. After the lockplate is out you should be able to reach the turn signal cam, the key-lock cylinder, and the wiper blade arm!
01-31-2011, 07:59 PM
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This IS NOT an easy task and i reccomend a professional . At the very least you will need a repair manual. Have your new part in hand before disassembly..
Take care during dissassembly by remembering special pieces of the switch that you will reuse..as it also ties into the high beam switch. it is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle...
you will have to remove the wheel with a puller, compress the IGN lock wheel sprocket and remove its retainer ring with a pick type tool, reove the under dash/column trim plate, locate ABS coil connection under dash and disconnect , Remove the Airbag coil (pull slack in wiring up thru column just enough for room to work), dismount the switch cam and pull up slack in the wiring to gain room to work on the switch lever assembly , remove the trim @ the lever on the column locate the turn signal harness connection under the dash and unplug.
since the switch is deemed broken at this point and it is not repairable i suggest cutting off the plug to pull it up and thru the column just to get it outta the way ..mechanics wire or bent coat hanger wire will help you fish the new switches wire harness and plug down and thru the column...
I tell you this from having to do this...i not only had to remove and repair mine,but had to remove the new unbroken switch assembly from a junk yard car ...this switch is deep
I strongly suggest picking up a Haynes manual from auto zone to aid you as it also has pictures ...
Take care during dissassembly by remembering special pieces of the switch that you will reuse..as it also ties into the high beam switch. it is a bit of a jigsaw puzzle...
you will have to remove the wheel with a puller, compress the IGN lock wheel sprocket and remove its retainer ring with a pick type tool, reove the under dash/column trim plate, locate ABS coil connection under dash and disconnect , Remove the Airbag coil (pull slack in wiring up thru column just enough for room to work), dismount the switch cam and pull up slack in the wiring to gain room to work on the switch lever assembly , remove the trim @ the lever on the column locate the turn signal harness connection under the dash and unplug.
since the switch is deemed broken at this point and it is not repairable i suggest cutting off the plug to pull it up and thru the column just to get it outta the way ..mechanics wire or bent coat hanger wire will help you fish the new switches wire harness and plug down and thru the column...
I tell you this from having to do this...i not only had to remove and repair mine,but had to remove the new unbroken switch assembly from a junk yard car ...this switch is deep
I strongly suggest picking up a Haynes manual from auto zone to aid you as it also has pictures ...
Last edited by defaultexistence; 02-01-2011 at 07:03 AM.
01-31-2011, 08:10 PM
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It will pop right out,you push/snap the new one in,reconnect the small connection and replace trim cup
Pick up the arms easily at a junk yard most GM's are the same exact arm ..depending on if you have cruise or not
or they can be had on ebay
when it was all said and done for me i said screw putting the air bag junk back in and i replaced the stock steering wheel with a aftermarket style
Last edited by defaultexistence; 01-31-2011 at 08:23 PM.
02-01-2011, 03:08 AM
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i broke the bracket holding the columm together still havent got it fixed. now i put my finger in there to put the turn signals. Everything works just that the bracket isnt holding the cruise control wipers control arm.
02-01-2011, 08:59 AM
#16
I haven't been really able to survey the damage, but it seems like the piece that the lever goes into is broken. I'm having a killer time trying to figure out the piece that is broken. Been looking at all those diagrams. I could be one of those hippies that signals with my arms..
