Fitting a LHD stalk to a RHD column.

[Nigel]

I had read that Eric fitted a new LHD stalk, and he mentioned on another thread that i'd need
a LHD column. He's correct, however I found a work-around by making a couple of little
extension pieces to move the mounting screw holes. It was quite fiddley, and I also had
to relieve the top stud to clear the horn connector.



 

[WestonE]

Hi Nigel

Nice Work around!

Eric

[mangocrazy]

You've been watching too much Project Binky, looking at those brackets... 

As a matter of interest, who go for a LHD stalk - better availability?

[Nigel]

A couple of reasons:
Apparently only LHD are available new...this came from a UK supplier in 2 days.

I was irritated during a drive last weekend that the indicator stalk was on the wrong side,
so this has fixed my frustration!

My old unit was a bit loose on the light stalk, but worked fine.

So, all in all, a nice to have upgrade, but not essential!

And yes, inspired by BOM!

[WestonE]

Hi Graham

I did it because all my other cars have the indicators on the left and the stalk assembly has a hi failure rate. I could buy LHD brand new. Getting the cowling in decent condition needs friends in Italy/ Europe.

Eric

[mangocrazy]

Hmmm. That makes sense. The indicators on the 'wrong' side is an irritation to me as well. As are the indicators, to be honest, but that's another story...

[Neil-yaj396]

The indicator stalk is (historically speaking) on the correct side for RHD cars. Progressively through the 1980s manufacturers realised that they could save money by fitting the more numerous LHD parts to all their cars.

[peteracs]

I had a couple of 90s RHD Merc E class which still had the indicator on the right, cannot remember it being a big issue, though guess having an occasional use car different may be odd. Personally happy to keep the oddities as the whole experience of the car is so different to modern ones.

Peter

[mangocrazy]

The indicator stalk is (historically speaking) on the correct side for RHD cars. Progressively through the 1980s manufacturers realised that they could save money by fitting the more numerous LHD parts to all their cars.

Yes, that's logical. So we have the bean-counters to thank for LHD stalks on RHD cars... These days it probably comes down to spares availability, I guess.

[capriblu]

Just to understand -

Assuming that I can put up with the stalks moving in the opposite directions will a LHD assembly fit and function without alteration on a RHD car?

Will the stalks work/move within the standard cut-outs of a RHD binnacle assembly?

Thanks,

Andrew

[Nigel]

Hi Andrew,

If you look at the first photo above you'll see I made 2 aluminium brackets to
move the screw positions. This enables the new LHD stalk to sit level.
The stalks operate normally.

Eric mentioned having friends in Italian places to source LHD column cowls.
I haven't got such mates, so I cut out the RHD cowls as required. More work with
some fibreglass and resin would solve this issue.

To sum up, it's very doable, but fiddly on a RHD column.

Nigel

[capriblu]

Thanks Nigel -

Is the modification needed?  Cant the assembly just be fitted with the indicators and light switch stalks on the right and the wiper stalk on the left?

Only issue I could see is if binnacle cut outs are not quite right for the anguar positions of the stalks?

??

[Nigel]

Yes, and not really Andrew.
If you mount a LHD stalk upside down [which I think is what you mean]
the stalks will all be far too low.
In any case, I don't think it would fit like that.

I found the job very time-consuming, but satisfaction is guaranteed.

Nigel

[WestonE]

Try posting a wanted ad on any of the Facebook Beta Groups with an Italian/French/Spanish membership to get the cowling. I also got a LHD column which I rebuilt with nice new bearings.

Somewhere I have S1 brown LHD cowl which is shorter than the S2FL black item.

Eric
PS if you can weld and have spare columns it is not a huge job to move the mounts on the end of the column.   

[frankxhv773t]

Having spent time car hopping between Italian, French and Japanese on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis I firmly believe other motorists should recognise that a single wipe means I intend to turn right and a continuous wipe means I intend to turn left.

[WestonE]

 

[George-S]

Hi Nigel,

The photos seem broken on this page could you repost it ?
Planning to try swap my RHD stalks to LHD set at the weekend and would be interested to see how you did it.


Cheers George

[peteracs]

Hi

Have you tried refreshing the page as they loaded ok for me?

Peter

[Nigel]

Hi George,
They opened for me but often I find clicking the rotating circle [refresh]
works.
I'm finding this issue on many pages I visit, but don't know
if it's my laptop or the website causing it.

[mangocrazy]

As a matter of interest, does anyone have a source for a new LHD indicator stalk? My Italian is nowhere near good enough to go searching on ebay.it...