Ark-Les heater switch..

[1955CJ-5]

Anyone know how one of these comes apart without damaging it?

The mounting screw is supposed to be captured inside but it turns and I had to cut the nut off...

I think I can save it with some J-B weld but i'd like to replace the screw if that is possible...

[Ryan_M]

I destroyed mine taking it apart the wrong way. Turns out all you need to do is remove that pin that pokes through the side of the housing. Push that out and the housing slides right off. Don't mess with anything on the rear of the switch where the fuses are.

Once you get it apart I'm not sure the best way to put it back together. That pin will be damaged when you remove it. You'll need to find a new pin or try and salvage the old one. Let me know how it goes.

[1955CJ-5]

Thanks Ryan!

I was thinking that might be the key as i can see no other way to get it apart..

I have some small brass tubing from the hobby shop that I might be able to make a new pin with.....

Thanks for helping me save my switch!

[garage gnome]

Let me know how it turns out. I have two I need to fix.

[NoCoWillys]

I found a good selection of pins in my local Ace Hardware.  Just a thought.

[1955CJ-5]

OK, here we go...

First, this is how it looked





I drilled out the end that had been spread

[1955CJ-5]

Then i pushed the pin out..





And it came apart, just as Ryan said it would..

[1955CJ-5]

So i thought I'd clean the contacts..



So i took the whole thing apart..



The pivot pin just pushed out and apart it came...there is a little pin and spring in the switch lever for tensioning..don't let it get away!

Back together..

[1955CJ-5]

Then i had to replace the carriage bolt that had been turning inside the housing. I found a screw with the same thread and ground the head for a tight fit..





This is the old one

[NoCoWillys]

Never mind, not pins like that.  Good pictures!  Might be able to get a brass screw that has a counter sunk head like that.

[1955CJ-5]

Next I had to make a pin so i could put it back together. The 3/32" brass tube was just a little large, so about 5 minutes with a flat file and it fit. Then I soldered a tiny brass washer on the end...The washer is sold at hobby shops for model trains, but i use them for model airplanes..

[1955CJ-5]

Then cut the pin to length...I used a Dremel "As seen on TV"







I used a center punch to initially spread the brass tube and a small drift punch to flatten it...

[1955CJ-5]

So there you go...Good as new.



Thanks again to Ryan who's switch was sacrificed so that others may benefit...!

[1955CJ-5]

I did have some long brass machine screws, and they would have looked OK..but this worked fine...

[calvinhunt]

Well done.  It was enjoyable watching the saga of the restored switch.