How-To Install A Turn-Signal Switch In A '65-'66 Mustang

This '65 fastback has a LeCarra steering wheel, but removing it is basically the same as with a stock wheel. You'll need a steering-wheel puller to remove a stock wheel or a more universal puller such as what we used for removing this LeCarra wheel.

Ford never meant for a '65 Mustang to last upward of 40 years. But here we are four decades later and first-year Mustangs are still among the most desirable of all collectible Ponies-and it looks to remain that way for the foreseeable future.

As a car ages, there will always be little components that wear out and need replacement. For example, this '65 fastback's turn signals were no longer working. We tried a new flasher and checked out all the bulbs. We also inspected the taillight and parking-light housings and everything seemed to be in order. Thinking a new turn-signal switch-which is mounted in the steering column-might be the answer, we ordered one from California Mustang. It's considerably easier to install than you might anticipate, and after about an hour we were in business with newly functioning turn signals on this daily driven car.

1: Available from California Mustang, we had this turn-signal switch installed in about an hour. It's ready to go with wiring included and plugs on each wire end that installs into the car's factory connector.	2: Disconnect the car's battery and remove the horn button to access the nut holding the steering wheel in place. Remove the nut with a half-inch-drive ratchet and correctly sized socket.	3: A standard, three-jawed steering-wheel puller works with a stock steering wheel. However, with the LeCarra wheel and hub, there are no threaded holes in the hub to accept the bolts used with a typical steering-wheel puller. Thus, we were able to use this more universal two-jawed puller that allowed us to instead grab onto the outside of the steering-wheel hub.
4: Remove the turn-signal lever by unscrewing it from the column. If it's too tight to loosen by hand, note the flat spots on the lever that allow you to turn it with an open-end wrench or a pair of pliers.	5: Remove the three screws that hold the switch in place inside the column.	6: Remove the spring from the steering shaft.