Headlight switch removal

[MyDream55]

Hey guys.. I have a 56 and trying to get headlight switch removed. I've researched and everywhere says there should be a screw button to push when headlight switch is out. I cannot find any button and have spent too long messing with it. Is there something else that works or am I missing something?

Thanks

[octanejunkie]

There is a small, spring loaded button located on the topside of the swich (facing the sky when installed in the dash) you need to push to remove the switch shaft.



With the battery disconnected and the switch in the off position, reach under the dash and feel around the topside of the switch housing. Push and hold the button down with one hand and with your other hand pull the switch all the way out. Then use a large, flat blade screwdriver to turn the threaded bezel (that the shaft came out of) CCW and remove the switch from the dash.

[47 Fasttoys]

If it is a universal replace type it may not have the button. If you are sure it does have one then the shaft may not come out of the switch. Take a close look at the knob itself mine has a set screw on the knob and only the knob is removable.
Rob

[MyDream55]

Mine is very similar to this. There is no button on top or the side that I can tell or feel. Is this an aftermarket switch?

http://m.ebay.com/itm/201260848825?f...ke%3AChevrolet

[OrrieG]

the one you linked has the set screw in the knob. Factory or accurate repop have the button. Sometimes you have to push in a little to get the button to release, especially if its been in there 55 years!

[mr48chev]

Yes it is. You can see the set screw on the side of the knob in the photo.

You can probably tell by the knob and bezel if you have an OEM style switch or an aftermarket switch. The knob should match the other knobs if it is a stock switch and usually looks different if it is aftermarket and not an OEM replacement.

The button isn't much of a button and you have have the switch in the right position to be able to push it down to release the shaft on the knob,

[MyDream55]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Yes it is. You can see the set screw on the side of the knob in the photo.

You can probably tell by the knob and bezel if you have an OEM style switch or an aftermarket switch. The knob should match the other knobs if it is a stock switch and usually looks different if it is aftermarket and not an OEM replacement.

The button isn't much of a button and you have have the switch in the right position to be able to push it down to release the shaft on the knob,

I'm not talking about the knob itself. I got that off. The actual headlight switch is somehow attached and there is no button to release the shaft. I will try to post photos later so you all can see there is no button.

[Henry50]

You have to pull the switch to the on position then turn the knob all the way to the left, and press the button.

[Henry50]

Oops, didn't see that last post.
You have to pull the shaft out, then there's a retainer nut with a slot in it. You can usually remove it with a flathead screwdriver.

[MyDream55]

Originally Posted by Henry50

Oops, didn't see that last post.
You have to pull the shaft out, then there's a retainer nut with a slot in it. You can usually remove it with a flathead screwdriver.

Henry,
Thats exactly what I'm looking for and can't seem to push it out. It feels like there is one but then I feel the entire clip and it feels like its one big plate that goes around the switch. Damn, my heads too big to get under the dash and see all sides.. lol

[Henry50]

I found these pics online,

You have to pull the rod out, and retainer nut is on the front, it has a hole for the rod to run through and a slot to unscrew it with.

[octanejunkie]

Originally Posted by Henry50

This pic shows the spring-loaded button on the back/top of the switch that I described in post #2 above. This is the OE type switch for 55-59, AFAIK, but truthfully I've seen guys use different switches in these trucks that aren't always "correct" for their year truck.

[47 Fasttoys]

If you have the knob off then all you need to do is to unscrew the retaining nut. A set of snap ring pliers works good for this as they can go around the shaft. The shaft is not designed to come out.
Rob

[mr48chev]

If the knob came off do as 47 Fasttoys suggested and unscrew the nut that holds it in (there should be slots next to the shaft to turn it with and the nut should come off and the switch and shaft will go out the back.

[Henry50]

Originally Posted by 47 Fasttoys

If you have the knob off then all you need to do is to unscrew the retaining nut. A set of snap ring pliers works good for this as they can go around the shaft. The shaft is not designed to come out.
Rob

Actually the shaft is designed to come out, that's what the the button with the spring on it's for.

[mr48chev]

That it should Henry but at this time several of us are under the impression that someone in the past has put in and aftermarket universal switch.

I've worked on these trucks since 1962 when I started in high school auto shop as a sophomore and worked on some and every time I take one of those switches out I have to stop and figure out exactly what position the knob and shaft have to be in to be able to push that elusive button down to get the shaft out so I can imagine how it is for someone who has never done it and may not be able to twist his hands and wrists around up under the dash as well as someone a lot younger than me could.

[Henry50]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

That it should Henry but at this time several of us are under the impression that someone in the past has put in and aftermarket universal switch.

I guess I misread some of the other post.

If it were an aftermarket switch wouldn't it just have a regular nut on the outside that could be removed with a wrench?

[octanejunkie]

Can you post pics of yours, Henry50?

[Henry50]

I can't get to my truck right now, we got 8" of snow with a 1/2" of ice over everything. It's in the barn and the door and lock are frozen solid.

Mine is a 50 which has screw down connectors instead of the plastic plugs, but otherwise very similar.

I have the switch out of my 57 chevy car right now, but it's in the barn also.

[MyDream55]

Ok I got some pics..I was able to get my phone in there and take a few.. check these out and see if you can see where it comes apart... lol

[Henry50]

The nut is on the front, any pics from the outside of the dash?

[OrrieG]

It looks like the bezel is similar to stock, an external threaded shaft that goes thru the hole and attaches to the bracket. Depending on the quality it might have a screwdriver slot, two holes or a knurled edge.

[_Ogre]

i believe his issue is getting the knob off
have you tried to unscrew the dash knob?
it might have a set screw, but some aftermarket knobs are just screw on

[Henry50]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

i believe his issue is getting the knob off
have you tried to unscrew the dash knob?
it might have a set screw, but some aftermarket knobs are just screw on

Post #7 says he already has the knob off.

[47 Fasttoys]

If you have this type of retainer nut you may want to try the snap ring pliers. I have the same type of switch and the shaft does not come out. In my case I'm using the factory retainer nut with an aftermarket switch.
Rob