Any way to make F/R knob easier to turn?

[Silverstreak]

Thanks Gornoman!

[Spawn]

Originally Posted by Spawn

Dielectric grease and it will move like butter. You are supposed to lube a new switch with it. otherwise they are very hard to turn and can spark.

Dielectric grease is designed for electrical parts, it allows electricity to pass but also keeps out moisture and lubes the connections. Its a must on spark plug wires if you want to remove them. Over time it dries out and forms a crust.
You need to replace it every so often.

[Silverstreak]

Hi again,
I'm reviving this post, since I finally got some dielectric grease spray. Okay.......so, without taking anything apart, I just direct the spray towards the copper contacts on the F/R mechanism? Could it hurt anything if other things get sprayed in that area?
Thanks!

[gornoman]

Spray at will, then work it in and repeat as needed.

[scottyb]

Isn't there a piece of linkage going to the rotary switch mounted under the passenger seat? (with the black plastic hoody on it?)

[Silverstreak]

Yes Scotty, That's what I'm talking about spraying. After taking the cover off, I can see how the linkage goes to the mechanism. Somewhere in there are the copper contacts. (rumor has it).

Gornoman......when you say "work it in", does that mean I should go back and forth with the F/R lever?
Thanks!

[simple man]

Originally Posted by Silverstreak

Yes Scotty, That's what I'm talking about spraying. After taking the cover off, I can see how the linkage goes to the mechanism. Somewhere in there are the copper contacts. (rumor has it).

Gornoman......when you say "work it in", does that mean I should go back and forth with the F/R lever?
Thanks!

Yes! Key off, just work it back and forth until it becomes easy. This will also help to clean the contacts. Like I said before, I can just flick mine back and forth with one finger, but yours will be a teense harder because of the linkage ratio. My switch is right behind the handle.

[Silverstreak]

Thanks simple man!

[gornoman]

Originally Posted by Silverstreak

Gornoman......when you say "work it in", does that mean I should go back and forth with the F/R lever?
Thanks!

That BETTER be what I mean as this is a family rated site!

Yes, work the action back and forth, let the grease get in there and do it's job.

[Silverstreak]

It works much easier now. Time will tell if I no longer have to play with the rod to get it to go in reverse. But.........the stuff I used I thought was a spray but it was a gel under pressure. I just squirted some in around the contacts and then used a screwdriver to distribute it a little better.
I'll let you know if it works on consistently going into reverse when I want it to. But.......the knob is much easier to use now. I thought it was so stiff because of the rusty connection of the knob to the rod, but it must have been the other part.
Thanks for your help!