Help. Knob Socket Tool

[rb1949]

Or whatever it is called to remove knobs on the '49, The radio was easy, simple hex nuts screw onto the knob shaft. But other dash knobs are different. Once the knob is removed, the bezel that screws onto the shaft has a 6 point hex down in there. (Not a nut) The opposite of a socket. Some clever Chrysler tool that went over the shaft and fit into the recessed hex in the bezel. Maybe 3/8"? Is there such a tool? Or do I have to take a 1/4" drive socket and grind the end to a hex shape that will fit. Did this make any sense? Other Mopar have similar knobs?

[Plymouthy Adams]

many make their own from a deep well socket, tubing with a t-handle or source e-bay for these premade and being sold.

[rb1949]

Does this tool have a name?

[Plymouthy Adams]

there is a link to the seller, member here, use the search feature

[rb1949]

Didn't see any tool that fit this.

[Young Ed]

Can you post a pic?

[Mlindblom]

Sounds like he needs something like the wrench for a chainsaw. That tool is called a scrench.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Worthless with out a picture.

[TodFitch]

Worthless with out a picture.

 

Maybe one of these: http://p15-d24.com/topic/31764-dash-nutbezel-removal-tool/?hl=%2Bbezel+%2Btool

[rb1949]

Pictures were not coming out to see down in the bezel. So made a doodle.

 

The tools referenced fit bezels with pin holes. This is a hex. A Chrysler trick.

Now one of the knobs on the heater control doesn't want to come off by pressing that spring clip gizmo. Will fight it some more.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Slip a long 3/8" ? coupling nut over the shaft and remove the bezel nut?

[rb1949]

DodgeB,

Like minds are clever. Looked at 2 options, and did find a coupling nut. It's closer to 5/16 Hex. May have to gently file all 6 sides to fit(?) And drill out the center for shaft clearance.It has to stick up far enough to get a socket on it. Will bet it's not a nut, the whole bezel will turn. Getting closer to goofy Chrysler thinking. A tool. Will have to sell it!!! Will report progress.

[rb1949]

Well, no success getting anything to turn yet. And it doesn't fit every one. Will try more fine tuning of the tool. Got switches that HAVE to come out. Dumb Chrysler. Wonder what kind of replacements would work. Phooey on original.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Sorry I cannot offer 100% accurate help info on your 1949 Chrysler Windsor dash issues.

I own 1946-48 and 1950-52 Chryslers. I have never owned a 1949 Chrysler.Parted out restored lots of 1946-48 and 50-52 chryslers.

The 49's are an odd one year everything is slightly different model!.... yet the dash is identical to a 1950 Chrysler except cluster gauge needle colors and radio colors.

And of course knobs/ T/signal and knob bezels are unique to 1949 chrysler..

Actually the full line 1949 mopars are all to them selves.

[rb1949]

Grumpy is back. But this time with better news. Fine tuned the tool a little more and got it to work. At least on the heater control bezels. The picture now shows the dang bezels and the hex head. Looks like more minor filing to fit the dash bezels. Had the chrome under dash heater control out for other work. And had a better looking spare, so dismantled them to swap parts. Got 2 good switches out of 4. Now to figure out how to attach switches with a real nut and throw those bezels in the weeds . Plus set screws in the knobs and pitch that goofy spring clip design. Original sucks. No I'm not going to sell a tool. You can make one for $1.49. Knob tool .... case closed.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Glad I never owned a 1949  MoPar.

Weird odd parts used to make a one year only car.

I'm off to AZ lookin for more old 1946-8 and 1950-52 Mopars.

Maybe I'll find a 49 Chryzler!

Edited April 21, 2016 by Dodgeb4ya

[rb1949]

Searching found nothing regarding these hex head bezels, nor any mention of a tool. But then spotted a bit, mentioning fabricated bezels for the 49-50, WITH tool. Had to inquire. This guy makes reproduction bezels out of brass. But made them using a 'pin' tool, not the original hex. Sharp looking, I'd say a decent improvement. Didn't ask price. Interested persons can do their own inquiring at: www.harmsdistinctiverestorations.com

 

So I'll toss out another dumb question. What's the difference, besides design. Were the threads on the switch shaft the same for lots of years? So it may be possible to use different bezels that fit the threads. I doubt there is a cross reference to that trivial piece of data. Shafts also look 'normal' for a variety of knobs. Evaluating the originals to tap for a set screw.

 

[rb1949]

The tool is cool. And I'll correct myself from the title of this post, it's not a knob tool, it's a bezel tool.  I'm going to say that multiple bezels fit this switch shaft threads, just different designs. It's a 7/16 diameter. If anybody has measured, please advise. The bezels with 'pin holes' look the best. Took one to work today with the intention of finding a die to re-thread the shaft to a normal nut. Low and behold, we make a switch that has the same thread. And the nut fits. No more dumb Chrysler bezels needed. Throw them away!! Now the knob. I believe that metal clip in there hooks onto the bezel. More dumb, making things difficult. The knob & shaft have a flat, to make it turn. Trim off the clip a bit.. And no set screw needed. Getting closer to improving things so they work.

[rb1949]

Polished up the chrome heater control assembly, cleaned & repainted the cable control arms, and reassembled using nuts on switches. With no bezel for the knob to slide into, the nuts were visible. Hmmmm, needed a spacer to fill that gap and cover the nut. A stubby piece of PVC pipe did the trick as a 'bezel'. More gossip. This buggy has a heater motor and a defroster blower motor (both are the same motor) While most talk is about the heater under the dash, my heater is way out by the radiator. That's a long way to blow warm air. It only has a diverter valve in the heater hose to stop water flow into the heater, mounted on the firewall. Wonder if the heater could be moved 2' closer and mounted on the firewall? Guess anything is possible with clever fabrication. Better yet, stop thinking and don't drive when it's cold. Got more important projects to tackle.

[deathbound]

Something like this:http://www.amazon.com/Bondhus-48332-Tamper-Resistant-L-Wrenches/dp/B002K3ELVO

 

[rb1949]

Cool tool. Thanks. Getting closer. Using "tamper proof" produced lots of results, including a variety of 5/16 hex size. But the tamper pin on the screw is not very long, so the hole in the hex is not very deep. The center needs to be drilled thru, to slide over the 3/16 switch shaft diameter.  There is a hole, already centered, that could be enlarged. But can this hex bit material be drilled? Various tools in that size range from $8-$14. My investment for a 5/16 hex coupling was $1.49, and easy to drill the center hole. It works. Plus it's a tool that has only one application, to remove 5 bezels. It will never be used again. It seems this hex bezel design was only used on '49 - '50 Chrysler. (not all Mopar for those years). I'm happy to provide the discussion regarding a tool. It will go into the archives, and perhaps someone in the future will find it via a search, giving them the tip they need for a solution to a problem. With this "oddball" '49, sometimes it feels like I'm talking to myself here, but again the facts/tricks/tips may be useful to someone else.