69 Chevelle Turn Signal Cancel Cam Replacement

[Bill Pritchard]

I'm replacing the turn signal cancel cam in the steering column of my 69 Chevelle. This part is also a part of the horn contact connection. The original piece has some grease on the forward facing side, where there's a metal ring that is part of the horn connection. That grease is all hardened after 53 years (not surprising). Anyone have knowledge as to what type of grease I should use on the new piece? Looks like that same grease is on the contacts in the turn signal switch also.

[Woj]

The assembly manual lists a lubricant, by part number, to be used on horn contacts. It’s at the beginning of the manual. If you don’t have one, I can email you a photo of it. Not sure what the type of lubricant is though. Maybe a dielectric grease?

[Lynn]

I always use synthetic high temp wheel bearing grease on things like that. I don't have a 53 year track record with it, but do have about a 15 year track record. I like my chances that it will never harden like the dino base grease does. JMHO. Doesn't mean it is right.

[Bill Pritchard]

Thanks so much for the replies!

Phil, first place I looked was my assembly manual but it only diagrams the cancel cam for a RHD model , and no lubricant listed. Never thought of looking in the front section of the manual, but after your suggestion I did so and in addition to the part number (which is probably long since obsolete), it says "Teflon Grease". Internet search finds Teflon Grease mostly listed for bicycle bearing and chain applications. There are some white lithium greases with Teflon shown in spray cans, so I went out and looked at the can I have in the garage and lo and behold it says it is white lithium with Teflon. So, that's what I'm going with.

Lynn, your 15 yr track record is probably more than sufficient! But since I don't have any synthetic high temp wheel bearing grease on hand, I'm gonna try my lithium with Teflon stuff. Will report back here as to whether or not this works.

Again, many thanks guys

[Lynn]

Your choice Bill. But, anything lithium based has two things going against it for this application.
1. Being petroleum based, it tends to attack plastic parts.
2. The additives they ad to thicken it never quit working, which means over the years it gets more and more hard.

[Bill Pritchard]

Got it back together and all works well. Only time will tell how long this grease holds up. I'm certain the OEM stuff was petroleum based too, so if or when my lithium/teflon stuff becomes an issue, I will undoubtedly be long gone.

This was definitely a learning experience. One lesson learned: if you have to install the lock plate by tapping it on with a hammer, you are doing something wrong Won't do that again.