I repaired the one of the seat switches. I intended to just replace it, but I realized that many things on the Land Rover are repairable and this switch should be no exception. Considering that new switches are very pricey indeed, an old switch off a parts car is likely to have the same problem.

I opened the switch up. To my initial dismay, all kinds of clips, springs, and ball-bearings fell out. If I recall correctly, 8 clips, 16 ball bearings, 8 springs, and several brass rods. I decided not to give up.

The problem with the switch is the little rocker clips that make contact arc and they get a deposit forming on them that needs to be cleaned off. I tried some contact cleaner, but ultimately I needed some mechanical action and scratched them clean with an awl and some fine steel wool. They were probably pitted as well, but still serviceable.

Reassembling the contraption was daunting at first, but turned out to be quite simple. The rocker clips go into their slots, the switches rock on the brass rods for axles, and the ball bearings press on the contact points. So each switch has two holes, each of which is loaded with a ball, a spring, and another ball.

If any of your seat switches fail to work, it's likely the contacts are dirty. It's quite serviceable, but it takes some patience.

 

An old school pencil eraser also works well on contacts sans heavier corrosion/pitting. I have several #2s close at hand.

Glad you were able to get all the parts cleaned up and back together.

......

 

Drove it!!!

 

Welded the eye end back on my rear bilstien yellow shock guess we will see how that holds up

 

Did both rear quarter glass and rear window seals. What a pain that was.

 

Did you have help? What was your technique?
I heard a good way is to have someone pushing in on the glass from the outside while another person on the inside pulls a string and seats the lip of the seal.


I'll need to do mine at some point.

 

Is the glass big enough to urothane it in instead of the gasket

 

Yea, you need another person or else its impossible. The string technique works great, I lubed the seals up with silicone spray before sliding them in and that helped too. Remember, when pushing or hitting the glass from the outside... open palm.

I wouldn't. The glass is almost vertical and there isn't the correct kind of lip on the surface to do it.

 

Ordered all seals and bearings for front wheels. I'll do it this coming Saturday.

 

Just towed a broke down plow truck off the snow covered road and into a parking lot, diff lock low and it was like he wasn't even there