Project KE30: Haynes

Reality is starting to outpace the one currently existing on the blog, so it's time to knuckle down and catch up with it, especially, that recently I haven't been spending as much time with Toyota as I should or would like to. Therefore, there's a chance to make up for it.

After changing the tires I wanted to focus on the next element of the car in order to make another step in the process of renovation. I also felt like tiding it a little, so I came up with an idea of concentrating on something not-very-challenging. Hence, my struggles with the steering column began. I think it's the right moment to confess to my ignorance of the names of particular elements I had to deal with while working with the column. I don't even know whether I named this element correctly at all! From this place I wanted to apologize in advance for all the mistakes I made, and thank for all remarks and pieces of advice on the matter. I hope that photos will help in deciphering this subject :-).

In the beginning, I wanted to dismantle the steering wheel. Hmm... how can I even do this? At first, I thought that it's going to be a piece of cake – I unscrewed two bolts, which enabled access to the main bolt on the shaft, which I unscrewed and the wheel was ready to be taken off. And there it was where the first problem appeared. As a delicate and gentle man by nature I didn't want to abuse my strength while dismantling the steering wheel. But it just didn’t want to come off! I struggled harder and harder and… nothing. I came back home, read Haynes, checked with Piotrek and I knew what to do. The site I got from Piotrek contained some examples of real-life experiences with high level of wisdom in them. I followed the guidance and I put the bolt on its initial position on the shaft before another attempt to take off the steering wheel. These smart safety precautions would save my nose if the steering wheel suddenly came off after a very strong pull. I made it, without hurting my nose! :-)

Afterwards, I unscrewed the bolts from the steering column’s cover and then removed the cover itself, revealing the steering column, which can be seen in the photos below. I was so excited about the whole process that I completely forgot about Waclaw’s interdictions and his Waclaw's interdictions and his curse [1], which I learnt a couple of weeks ago. Truth be told, it crossed my mind to take some photos during the work process, but I just didn't feel like interrupting this interesting task and going all the way back home just to take the camera. Naah…Thus, this manifestation of laziness was to get its revenge soon!

After unscrewing all the screws and unplugging the electrical wiring I removed the steering column and gladly took it home, where, using toothpicks, cosmetic sticks, spirit and other cleaning agents, I started to clean. By the way, I learned how the indicator lever works and how, by turning the steering wheel, turn signal switches off automatically. I also noticed a problem with the mechanism responsible for turning on high beams, and despite strenuous attempts I could not do anything about it. I should have taken some photos…

A couple of days later, time came to pay a visit to my parents’ house, so using the opportunity I took with me the steering columns with everything else. I arrived quite late and barely had time to enter the house and greet with everyone when my dad took the stuff I brought and got down to action. Together we managed to work out the mechanism and everything works like new. I should probably go home more often and bring gradually with me pieces of the car. Maybe after a few months I will manage to relocate it without having to drive it :-).

"All's well that ends well". This time I managed to trick Waclaw's curse, although I know that in the near future it will have plenty of opportunities to remind me about itself. I will have to be vigilant and stick to the bushido code of people renovating old cars. Thanks to this experience, though, I was able to understand the mechanism and the logic behind the important elelemnt of every car. If anyone ever had similar problems or had any questions I would be more than happy to help :-).

[1] This is a set of rules/laws one has to follow in order to complete restoration of an old car without problems. Upon those who don’t stick to the rules a curse has been cast. Available only in Polish…

steering column after dismantling it to pieces

overview of the steering column

quasi view from the top

attempt to have a closer look

en face view

tore rubber protecting some wires

overview

not working (at that time) indicator

this is how it looks from the other side - the module responsible for sidelights and high beam lights located on the left side

When I saw the date of my last entry, it struck me how much time has passed and how awfully bad I fell about not having written anything since that time. I hope that no one thought that after the initial fascination with the car a moment has come where the car went by the wayside. No, no - none of this stuff. The task hasn’t overwhelmed me (yet :-)), but only a lack of free time in combination with the lack of access to the car caused this huge hole that should be filled with written accounts, pictures or videos. About the videos… In the present moment I don’t have the quality video camera with me, but this will change within 2 weeks! And now back to work, as I need to make up for lost time! :-).

Assuming that the problem with the engine firing is linked to a faulty electrical installation, I managed to convince my dad to come to Warsaw with a multimeter, so we could check what the real problem is and solve it. This allowed the whole family to come and visit me :-). Writing about this in retrospect, I feel a little bit embarrassed by my helplessness, but you must understand that at that time the car was for me, something I had little idea about, except how to drive, and even that is not certain :-). Now it is not that different, but it is certainly better :-).

Together with my dad we managed very quickly to fire up the car. However, it's really hard to say what was the main obstacle on the way to achieve this status. Before the main test took place I replaced all blown fuses (OMG getting the right ones was quite an adventure!) and bought a brand new battery (as specified). During the test, it turned out that the ignition cable was loose which was the reason for control lights not to flash while turning the key in the ignition. Fuel level was very low (we bought afterwards 20 liters + fuel surcharge), so this factor cannot be excluded as well, but I think it wasn’t that decisive. In any case, it worked! My dad drove a few meters in the garage in celebration until an alarm or something similar went off loudly. Surely emissions exceeded allowable concentration. We took English leave from the scene :-). Fortunately, the next day I had a week long business trip and I was hoping that all the emotions would go down within those days :-).

Last but not least, some pictures of the stuff I bought at the end of January: