Reply to "OEM key shape and Ignition Switch"

Dick,

OK I figured out your intentions here, but a separate post on "routine maintenance items" is in order I think! #1 would be replace or attend to ignition switch hot lead orientation!

As to your #1 about upper ball joints: Mine literally exploded in place. Upper and lower. When I took the pressure off of the front end at one of our PCNC tech sessions, and was checking things out, I had pieces falling out of them. Symptom was leaning wheels and horrible tread wear!!! Luckily I had new ball joints on shelf....unluckily they were 18 miles away back at home! Grease is recommended however you get it in there.....

#2 Shifter shaft: Ok I think you mean rotate the entire shaft, in place, 180 degrees. Not remove and swap end for end! Only one problem with this, that I have seen, typical Mangusta thing....not sure if the factory did this or well intending mechanics, but in some cases the main shaft that goes from the fulcrum point (nearest) and forward thru the firewall, has been bent with an ark of sorts, making rotating it a dicey proposition.

If the shaft is straight and unaltered, then what you suggest would work, providing someone hasn't welded the rear spline joint in place on the shaft! Give a mechanic a torch and he's gotta weld something......!

As for your #3, steering shaft, again as in #2, "YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY"! Enclosed is a pic of my steering wheel mounting flange. You will see that the wheel mounting bolts are not symmetrical on 120 degree points, AND please note the key way that pretty much tells you where this thing is going to go. However, for all I know, a well intending prior mechanic of my car may have keyed this thing.....wouldn't be the first time that I have been misled by previous labor efforts......again, on my car.

Now, if you are the type that loves drilling holes OR you have a key way cutting tool in your shop, by all means, go for it. But I don't believe that many will have the means to do anything. Dick, your car may have been made without this key thing......and you can rotate your upper flange and there may be others that can do this.

Your mileage may vary!
Ciao!
Steve