Indicator/wiper stalks

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:38 pm

I'm wondering how easy it would be to swap the two stalks over - so the headlights/indicators/horn are on the right...I much prefer that layout as it means that you can change gear etc and still cancel main beam if a car appears.
Is there anyone out there with a photographic memory who can tell me whether the fixings are the same for both stalks? Obviously I can find out for myself when it's lighter, but if someone already knows that would be handy!
I would have to swap round the indicator wires, otherwise that would be slightly confusing...although not as bad as a guy I heard about, who was doing a fairly major engine swap, and had to change the steering rack position to get clearance. So he flipped it upside down and ended up with a car that steered to the right when he turned left!!!

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:17 pm

I've never heard of such a thing being done, but if it's do-able I'm interested - I've always felt that it's wrong to change gear and indicate with the same hand.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:03 pm

It is a French car, you are expected to change gear with your right hand!

Rather than mess with it, simply buy a left hand drive BX.

Mike

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:20 pm

I suspect the only way this would be possible would be to modify the mountings for the stalks on the column. Certainly there's no way the stalks would just unbolt and bolt back in the other way around.

The other issue you would have is all the symbols would be upside-down!

Would be an improvement though... after all, RHD cars should have the indicators on the right. As Mike mentioned, it's only because the majority of cars built are built LHD that we RHD owners get a car that is essentially designed LHD and modified for RHD.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:48 pm

DavidRutherford wrote:As Mike mentioned, it's only because the majority of cars built are built LHD that we RHD owners get a car that is essentially designed LHD and modified for RHD.

Aha, so that's why Japanese cars are (were?) often fitted with the indicator stalk on the right...sometimes I amaze myself with my dim-wittedness.
Actually, upside down symbols would probably bug me for a reason I can't explain - I never have to refer to them after all! I suspect it'll go right to the bottom of the 'to do' list.

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 8:13 am

mat_fenwick wrote:Aha, so that's why Japanese cars are (were?) often fitted with the indicator stalk on the right.

Yep. Land-Rovers, up to the mid-80's also had the indicator stalk on the right.

It's also why some japanese cars from the 70's and 80's came fitted with a two-dial radio that had the volume on the right and the tuning on the left. The volume is the one you need access to more often, so on a LHD car it should be on the left (as 99.99% of radios were) but for a RHD car it ought to be on the right.

mike st gilles · Post by **mike st gilles** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:03 am

My (Korean) Hyundai Santa Fe (03 vintage) has the controls as per old skool British cars. They've changed the set up since tho'.

DavidRutherford · Post by **DavidRutherford** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:29 am

mike st gilles wrote:My (Korean) Hyundai Santa Fe (03 vintage) has the controls as per old skool British cars.

Many Korean and other Asian cars are set up like that as they're based on older Japanese cars.

I recently drove a "star in a reasonably priced car" Suzuki Liana and was pleased to see a right-hand indicator stalk.

Mike E (uk) · Post by **Mike E (uk)** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:02 pm

You must have an superbly running immaculate BX if you have the time to worry about the indicator position!

I wish mine was so good.

Mike

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:12 pm

I think Mat has other things to worry about now.

http://bxclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php ... &start=105

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:12 pm

It is a French car, you are expected to change gear with your right hand!

This reminded me how, driving on a clifftop road on a Greek Island, I can clearly recall going to change gear on a Japanese rental Econobox only to find myself winding down a window instead and feeling puzzled.