Column switches not the same as Maestro?

[Jeff Turbo]

Yes that's off centre so he should look further down the steering column to add washers under one side of the clamp bracket under the dash to centralize if he can't remove. He's also not trying enough to remove the switch plate as they do clamp firmly but It's also a mistake to completely remove the locating screw the other side of it has a plastic clamp on a spring and its a pain to get that back in properly so he's lucky there

[Sussex Pete]

Pictures of the offending column switch assembly. First before disassembly, showing the clamp screw in position then with the clamp screw completely removed as well as the fibre optic bulb cap also being removed. He is adamant that in this situation he cannot ull, push or twist the assembly to get it completely horizontal so is going to live with is as it is.

[Jeff Turbo]

Needs to loosen the screw but not too much, pull and twist on the centre section and it should move. Maybe give it a little knock forward as well. He obviously needs my glasses if he can't see the squeeze clamps. We can see the on his pictures. It does look from the pics you've put up is it's central so will wait till you put the front facing up.
Can you post the pictures Pete so we can assist on centralising it?

[Sussex Pete]

Got some pictures of his setup. He does have the clamping screw, but even with this removed, he cannot move the switch assembly in any direction. Sounds like it's been forced into place at sometime in the past by a ham-fisted mechanic and now won't move. Thankfully it is only about ten degrees off horizontal so he will live with it as is. Still claims to not see the clips to slide the switches out of the holder, though....!

[Doctordiesel77]

Yeah you can see them in petes pictures, all connections are the same throughout. The only differences as you know were in the early models that had a small light to light up the switches.

I did wonder if I'd missed something here, but now see that it does all look the same...that's a relief

[Jeff Turbo]

All of the Montego switches that I've come across do have the clips to take the switches out & have been the same as the Maestro.. photos might help

Yeah you can see them in petes pictures, all connections are the same throughout. The only differences as you know were in the early models that had a small light to light up the switches.

[Sussex Pete]

Pete, can you get the guy to take a front view and not the side as those red parts are the clamps/connections for the main switches wiring loom and nothing to do with the fixing of the main unit to the steering column. That also looks central to me from those pictures and in the right place

Ah! The problems of telephone support with someone whose technical skills have probably diminished with age. Good point about the screw being missing, so yes, next request will be the front view and see where we go from there.

[Jeff Turbo]

Should be as these and you can just see the red parts thought all wiring connections are still squeeze fit and release, so if you can get a front view we can go on from there as it maybe that the screw has come out

[Jeff Turbo]

Pete, can you get the guy to take a front view and not the side as those red parts are the clamps/connections for the main switches wiring loom and nothing to do with the fixing of the main unit to the steering column. That also looks central to me from those pictures and in the right place

[Sussex Pete]

With the main screw at the bottom loosened, but not too much, maneuver the switch plate until the hazard light top is vertical and the switches are horizontal then push, the switch assembly locks into the steering column then you tighten the bottom screw. I don't get what you mean about the red insert, do you mean the hazard light unit?

This appears to be the first sticking point. I am told that there is NO screw below the self-cancelling ring. Just a blank plate. The attached photos sent to me focus on this red insert rather than looking to where the clips are or should be. Removal of the switches is really of secondary importance as it is the alignment of the assembly that needs fixing. I can't think of how to help the guy if there is no clamp screw on the face of the plate.

[Jeff Turbo]

Thanks for the pointer Jeff. I have got pictures, but not totally clear about the position of the switch assembly, just the red insert in the switch body.

With the main screw at the bottom loosened, but not too much, maneuver the switch plate until the hazard light top is vertical and the switches are horizontal then push, the switch assembly locks into the steering column then you tighten the bottom screw. I don't get what you mean about the red insert, do you mean the hazard light unit?

[Doctordiesel77]

All of the Montego switches that I've come across do have the clips to take the switches out & have been the same as the Maestro.. photos might help

[Sussex Pete]

I don't think there is such an adjustment. What might have happened is one track rod end might have been changed with one of a different length. When tracking is done they like to have the same number of free threads on each side so some one might have moved the steering wheel on its splines. If the car has power steering there will be a locking pin hole in the rack to lock the steering straight ahead.
If that is not the trouble then maybe the UJ between the rack and column have been incorrectly assembled.

As Jeff said, apparently the switch assembly is about ten degrees off horizontal, that is all.

[Sussex Pete]

They changed from a nut to a bolt in about 1988ish on face lift cars. Do you have a picture of what you mean about the switch gear etc as this would be the rover type switches? Have a look at my dash removal thread as that may help as it was my gsi so face lift and the steering surround has to be removed

Thanks for the pointer Jeff. I have got pictures, but not totally clear about the position of the switch assembly, just the red insert in the switch body.

[Jeff Turbo]

I don't think there is such an adjustment. What might have happened is one track rod end might have been changed with one of a different length. When tracking is done they like to have the same number of free threads on each side so some one might have moved the steering wheel on its splines. If the car has power steering there will be a locking pin hole in the rack to lock the steering straight ahead.
If that is not the trouble then maybe the UJ between the rack and column have been incorrectly assembled.

It's the switch plate that's the problem and nothing to do with tracking etc to line up the indicator and windscreen wiper switch plate has nothing to do with tracking Robert