The Official 356Talk Forum

I recently received my signal switch back from rebuild, very happy with the job that type 356a did.

I have attempted to put the assembly together into the housing.

The problem I have and come up against at every turn is that I didn't take the car apart, it came in boxes.
I am learning from pictures on the web and the schematic drawings.

Could someone please cast an eye over this and ensure I have it correct, I have connected the horn wire onto the back of the brown ring,
The bearing is at the top of the shaft and spins freely.
I have 2 springs and another part with a split left over, am I correct in saying that the split part goes in next and the spring sits on top, have I one spring too many?
I have looked at the manual and it's not that clear, if anyone has a picture showing the order it would be great.

It appears that you have one extra spring - as long as it doesn't appear broken i.e. - it wasn't one spring in the past ...

Thanks Greg,

It appears as 2 springs, the end section of the spring on both sides has been filed flat for some reason.

Eric, this looks to be a different diagram to yours, may help

Thanks Alex,

From your drawing I am going to assume that the closest number 29 is the bearing at the top of number 28, that is in place already on mine. The other 29 i am guessing is the part with the split in my picture, this must rest down into number 28, and then the spring, number 30 goes on top of this.
If anyone can confirm I have this correct it would be very helpful.
I think I have 1 spring extra for some reason.
They both look the same.

Eric,

B e sure to look at both sec.22 ST and 30 LI as together they tell the full story.
Note the dimension on pg. S 38 !
Can I assume you painted the steering column purposely that beige color as opposed to the original black for all C's regardless of interior color ?

Larry,

Thanks for the details.

Yes the steering column, E brake rod and fuel petcock rod have all been painted body color, heron grey.
As you point out, they should all be black, very reversible, and I think it makes a nice change from the sea of black under the dash.

Here is a picture of the interior color, still a work in progress, but it all seems to match well.

Eric, it does appear that you have an extra spring. Make sure that the upper ring of #29 is installed so that it fits down into the bearing. The spring sets on top of it. Some folks have installed it upside down so that it sets on the bearing and fits up into the spring. They then wonder why they have a lot of side to side play in the steering column.

Cheers,
Wes

Eric,

Each to his own ! Makes the interior look more 50's style than 60's, but just my view.
I'm envious though I wish my C coupe were as far along ! It's still in the body fixing stage.

Larry,
I never really thought of it like that, but now I do, I think your right.
I'll give it a go and see what I think when it's finished.
I can always change it back if I decide it's not right.
Before you know it Larry you'll be attaching bits back on which is a great feeling.

Wes, I've done exactly as you mentioned and inserted number 29 in the correct way and placed the spring on top.
I think what was throwing me was the second spring.

Eric,

Does the dash top upholstery wrap tight around the edges or is there material left over to tuck into the door seal?

Good point Sebastian, the dash material should wrap around the A pillar and tuck under the weather strip.
Another one of those little details gleaned from spending hours looking at 356 photos, shop manuals, factory pics, etc. !
Necessary Due Diligence, but interesting.

Sebastian, a fair question.

Yes I left plenty of material to wrapped around the pillar and glued.

I actually completed that job last week.

On a separate note, has anyone experienced problems with door closure when the seal is placed on the outside of the opening.
I have only started to fit the passenger side first, it appears to be too thick and stopping the door from closing.
It seems to be just about where the striker on the body is located, that is where I have pinned it down to.

Hi Eric,

I am glad to hear that! It is a bummer when you see a car as nice as yours, with all of the obviously hard work poured into it, and that little detail is missed

As for your door closing issue, do a search as much has been discussed in the past. Alas, it is a not uncommon problem, even on cars that did not come to the owner in boxes. Unfortunately, that is one thing that is best taken care of before paint, but you are way past that in the process.

Sebastian,

I took a picture today showing the dash wrapped around the pillar.

I think I did it correctly, I only have pictures to go by.