1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out

[jlampka]

Has anyone replaced a broken lever on their AC/Heater control? I see the truck shop sells 3 levers for about $16. How easy/difficult is it? It looks like there are 2 pins that hold the stack together.
It looks like the 2 outside pins are peened that holds the levers in place. Does anyone sell these pins?

Any help is appreciated.

[MAC71Cheyenne]

The most difficult part is removing the head from the dash. If I recall correctly you can just turtle up under there and pop off the levers from the cable ends and pull them out, then replace them. Good light n patience come in handy. Tag in n correct me if not guys....

[MDPotter]

Replacing the levers is easy once you have the panel out. To take the panel out of the dash it should just be two screws through the bottom of the dash into the panel. Disconnecting the cables can be a pain though.

[LockDoc]

-
I posted this thread on removing the retainer clips from the cable ends.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=211815

LockDoc

[Peanut74]

Glad I found this thread as I now know where I can get new heater control arms. I got the assembly apart but to do it I had to drill off the swaged end that hold the lever stack together. My question is when I go to reassemble it what did you use to keep the end support on?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Peanut74

Glad I found this thread as I now know where I can get new heater control arms. I got the assembly apart but to do it I had to drill off the swaged end that hold the lever stack together. My question is when I go to reassemble it what did you use to keep the end support on?

Go to the hardware store and take the pin with you. See if they have a longer pin and the same style of clips that hold the cables to the levers but the correct size for the pin.

LockDoc

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Peanut74

Glad I found this thread as I now know where I can get new heater control arms. I got the assembly apart but to do it I had to drill off the swaged end that hold the lever stack together. My question is when I go to reassemble it what did you use to keep the end support on?

I used very small screws - I think they were #4, but it's been a while. The trickiest part is drilling into the posts - you have to make sure you're lined up square with the holes.

[Peanut74]

Thanks trickster. Wasn't sure if I should try and drill and pin the posts or tap them and use a screw. The ac lever must be the weak link. I have two control assemblies and the same arm is broke on both. I thought about using epoxy to glue it back together. Then reinforce it with some small steel straps.

I am converting over to the Vintage air electronic controller. Since you cut off the one tab on the center arm it should not snap again.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by Peanut74

Thanks trickster. Wasn't sure if I should try and drill and pin the posts or tap them and use a screw. The ac lever must be the weak link. I have two control assemblies and the same arm is broke on both. I thought about using epoxy to glue it back together. Then reinforce it with some small steel straps.

I am converting over to the Vintage air electronic controller. Since you cut off the one tab on the center arm it should not snap again.

One of the assemblies I pulled out had been sort-of repaired with a hose clamp. It didn't work very well.

[70STOVEBOLT]

Try lubing the cables, the original levers are pot metal and cannot take too much force before breaking. One of the parts vendors (maybe several) sell steel levers.

[purple gas]

There's a youtube video from Brothers that shows a rebuild of the heater controls. It's worth the time to watch.
If controls aren't working smooth cables are usually a big part of the problem, they get old and seize up.