defender indicator stalk assembly repair?

[rar110]

I notice my indicator and wiper stalk started sliding around the steering column a bit. So I took the cover off and have discovered the plastic strap that holds the assembly to the column has broken on the top side of the strap just near the screw holding the assembly. The plastic strap/clamp setup is part of the indicator so can't replace the strap. I am surprised it is only held on with this plastic clamp.

The indicator stalk is working ok so I don't want to throw it. Also the whole assembly in Australia is about $300.

Has anyone successfully repaired the clamp strap?

thanks

Peter

[130man]

Hi Peter, I haven't had this problem yet but there are some good glues out there.Maybe a glued on piece of cable tie, or similar, bridging the break may be sufficient. It shouldn't be under enormous strain, I would think.Cheers, 130man.

[rar110]

thanks for the reply. So try a locktite superglue or similar? The strap is part of the clamp to stop the assembly sliding around the column. So would have some pressure.

My assembly is from a mid 1990s 300TDI so is about 10 years old. I thought the plastic is becoming brittle with age.

[JDNSW]

I made up an 2mm thick aluminium clamp that goes under the screw head and wraps part way round the plastic strap. Has worked this way for years, but whether you can do this depends on where it is broken. If using glue, I would be inclined to add a strip of aluminium cut from a drink can to act as reinforcing. Both the plastic and the aluminium should be absolutely clean (I would use metho) and slightly roughened with fine wet and dry. I would use araldite, although depending on the plastic, one of the instant glues might be better. Another choice would be Sikaflex.

John

[Bushie]

I notice my indicator and wiper stalk started sliding around the steering column a bit. So I took the cover off and have discovered the plastic strap that holds the assembly to the column has broken on the top side of the strap just near the screw holding the assembly. The plastic strap/clamp setup is part of the indicator so can't replace the strap. I am surprised it is only held on with this plastic clamp.

The indicator stalk is working ok so I don't want to throw it. Also the whole assembly in Australia is about $300.

Has anyone successfully repaired the clamp strap?

thanks

Peter

Mine broke on our Madigan trip, if it moves around enough it will short somewhere (don't know where) and you'll lose indicators, fuel and temp gauges (a bit of a pain).

A new one was nowhere near $300, from memory around $120 saw me right. Haven't attempted to repair the old one, but I suppose I should.


Martyn

[Bundalene]

I bought one out of the UK a few years ago off Ebay - total cost was just over $100 including freight. At the time local prices were a bit excessive. Delivery was under a week.

Erich

[dmdigital]

I hate to say this but I threw out an assembly only two weeks back. The switch portion was stuffed, but the rest was fine. Just thought no-one would have a use for it around here and was cleaning up

[rar110]

I looked around for quotes from Australian and UK suppliers.

I found a new one for about $55 delivered. The broken one is probably 20 years old. So will fit a new one and keep the switch part of the old one if I can as a spare. On the later County and early defender models it looks to be part of the steering column assembly so cant be separated. Will have a look when I take it off.

thanks to all who replied.