Turn Signal Switch Tab - 1968 Mustang
This isn’t as much a replacement part, as a part to solve a problem I was experienceing while replacing something else. This wasn’t a custom project, but something I made for one of my personal cars - a 1968 Ford Mustang.
Inside the steering column, there is a pin on the turn signal switch. This pin goes into a slot on the splined steering wheel mounting plate , which allows the turn signal switch collar to rotate as the wheel is turned. Due to some inconsistency with the parts that comprise my current steering column assembly, this pin didn’t fit correctly into the slot, causing it to fall out when the wheel was turned. Though this isn’t striclty necessary for the turn signal switch to function, this collar rotation is what allows the turn signal to be automatically disengaged after the wheel is turned back, which is one of the functions that caused me to replace this switch in the first place.
I tried increasing the area of the pins surface that interfaced with the slot by wrapping it with electrical tape, but this was also unsuccessful. After a few minutes of failing to find something in my garage that could serve this purpose, I decided to take some quick measurements and to print this piece. With the largest dimension being just a few millimeters, this piece only took about a gram of material to print. After a few test pieces to get the sizing just right, This piece was the final product, and with it, I have now had a fully functional turn signal switch for a few months!
The ability to quickly and easily create things to solve very specific problems is one of the most practical use cases for 3D printing, and having the knowledge and tools to do things like this at my disposal is something I’m very grateful for. Because of this, I wanted to highlight this project as a prime example of how even small problems can sometimes be easily solved in very effective ways with a custom part!
Pictured here is the tab, on the turn signal collar pin, inside the steering column (the bright purple piece in the center of the image, right above the steering column shaft). Although it’s a very small part, this was the difference-maker in making this new turn signal switch work at 100% capacity!
It’s obvious how worn this contact plate is for the horn connection. While this part should be replaced, I wanted to get the car driving again quickly. I threw this back together with the pin extension piece, fitted as shown.
