shortened rear signal stalks on ’91 w pics

[joneruss]

I've shortened the rear signal stalks on my '91. Here are some pics:

Remove everything; blue tape indicates cut off point (1.25") of stalk:



Cut hard rubber with a utility knife and small rubber mallet for persuaion:



Cut down to the metal tube and then put stalk in table vise and twisted pieces apart:



Removed rubber from metal tube by holding threads in a table vise and carving off the rubber with the utility knife and rubber mallet; a flat metal file completed the job:



Expanded the hole in the stalk with a drill; the bit size was about 31/64" ; ½" may be better. Reamed it a little with a Dremel grinder stone. Then used the rubber mallet to pound the tube in. Support has to be given to the soft rubber of stalk at the signal end. Used 3M 5200 black adhesive between spacer and stalk.



Comparison:



Lesson learned, after I assembled both signals and tried to mount them: found that everything has to be aligned to face in the proper direction. Put alignment mark to seam on blue tape on spacer



Mounted:



Used Dremel cutting wheel on one but smell of burning rubber and grit made me use the knife on the other.

If you made the cut off length to about 1.375", you should miss the metal.


J

[tt_four]

Last time I was changing my tires I got tired of trying to pull one off and just got out a cut off disc thinking I'd cut the wheel up a little. I forgot how quickly a basement can smell like burned rubber. Turn signals look good!