Home repairs

AutoZone has a really nice "loaner" program. You can "borrow" a tool -- such as a steering wheel puller -- and return it when you are done for a full refund. That's the good news. The bad news is the puller didn't really fit Indy. Luckily the steering wheel basically flew off anyway.

The steering wheel was step #1 of replacing the turn signal switch. The repair manual made it seem simple. However, in the process of tearing the steering wheel apart I decided I wasn't ready for a 5 hour task and the very likely chance it wouldn't work and so I reassembled the existing bit. A picture here would be great but doesn't exist. The steering wheel went back together and still turns the wheels.

The previous owner had done a ducttape repair job on the turn signal switch. Instead of buying a new part, he put his own mechanical switch on the end and messed with the wiring to get it to work. Lots of electrical tape. After my first attempt today, I think 4+ hours and I could have undone his work and installed the new one. But I needed a simpler task.

Like... replacing the glove box. We had one of those horrible cardboard ones. I had a plastic replacement waiting for 6 months. I put in the new one. The only problem was a stripped screw holding the dash in place and I needed another 1/2 inch in order to fasten the glove box into place. I went to a longer screw. it should hold. And I need to remember to connect a few loose wires.

End result -- 3 hours in the sun, clean carpets, new glove box, and confidence that I can get the steering wheel off again someday. Now, do I return the SWP now or soon. But first, how about a trip to the dog park!