OOPS!! Belay the disassembly! I just remembered that I never even had to
take the Lucas switch apart. I just kept loading it up with Gibbs
Penetrant, until it was freed-up, and the corrosion dissolved (internal AND
external). It was that simple. It was the CHINK switch that I took apart,
to check it out. As I remember, the Chinks apparently decided to save
production costs by not employing any solder. It was the lousy compression
connections which were causing the trouble. You can fix them, but, then
you've STILL got a POS Chink switch, that's just gonna find yet ANOTHER way
to fail. So, spend your time and effort on the old Lucas stuff. It's far,
far better quality than anything the Chinks are ever gonna dump on us,
through Moss or VB.
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Bud Osbourne
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 3:08 PM
To: K. Valentine; Spridgets
Subject: RE: Help needed now - Brake light switch
Can't help you, there. But, I CAN tell you that the replacement switch,
that Moss sells, is a Chink-built piece of crap. When my second Chink-built
replacement failed, last summer, I got to looking at the original, Lucas
switches, which I had lying around. I found that they could be
disassembled, cleaned, and lubed with Gibbs Penetrant, and returned to full
functionality.
So, if you've got an original equipment Lucas brake light switch, it's very
easy to take a small screw driver, and un-crimp the metal body, where it
holds the plastic insert, and take it apart. It's a very simple,
uncomplicated switch, which can be cleaned up, re-lubed, and put back into
service. I used the Gibbs Penetrant, because, besides being a lubricant, it
will protect the contacts from re-corroding. I would NOT recommend WD-40,
because that stuff will eventually gum up the works, and you'll be back to
square one. The Gibbs Penetrant is a bit pricey (like $20 for an 11 or 13
oz. spray can), but it does all kinds of good stuff.
Others will have other "miracle mist", which they'll use. The bottom line
is: don't throw anything away which happens to be old, and Lucas at the same
time. Desperate men do desperate things (story of my life!!), and you'll be
amazed at what you can salvage/recondition with a bit of ingenuity, and
elbow grease.
Bud Osbourne
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