Trafficators

[MsRose]

I've managed to remove the trafficators from my 1957. One of them looks really quiet corroded and although I can hear the solenoid trying to work, the arm doesn't flip up. Instead of just oiling it I'd like to take it all apart and clean it up, but there are lots of quiet intricate pieces.

Can theses be dropped in a ultrasonic? I'm just worried that any damp may cause a short.

Any help and advise would be gratefully accepted.

[geoberni]

I wouldn't put the Coil in the Ultrasonic.
Given the age, the insulation might be 'OK' at the moment but give it a micro-beating in an ultrasonic bath and the insulation could easily beak up.
After all, the wire used on electrical coils is thin copper with an even thinner coating of electrical varnish over it.
By all means remove the Coil and Ultrasonic the rest of it.

[MsRose]

Great, thank you.

[myoldjalopy]

These things often get neglected and a combination of old, congealed oil and road dirt gum them up over time. To dismantle completely, there is a rivet at the hinge which needs to be drilled out and later replaced. You may be able to get it working again without dismantling.I recently had to clean up mine with white spirit and a toothbrush and a cloth and then dried everything off before oiling the hinge mechanism. Make sure the opening which the rod moves in is clear as dirt can accumulate here as well. Be careful of the little spring which can detach if you are not careful.
Personally, I would see if it can be made to operate without dismantling first.

[geoberni]

See the MGA Guru website.
Downloads of the 'Lucas Technical Overseas Correspondence Course'.
Section 8 includes Trafficators; it's not a lot of detail, but it might give you more knowledge than you currently have and it was the extent of Lucas training on them in the late 50s....

https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/books/lts_otcc.htm