How do you get the **** off of the shaft of the headlight switch on a 56 Olds? I need to remove the switch assembly to check out all the connections. The shaft has groves on it, leading me to believe the **** is a push on type, but I can't see any way to get it to release. There is a small hole in the center of the **** and I thought that inserting a probe into the hole might release it, but it didn't. The shop manual doesn't cover the **** removal. Thax Chuck

 

There should be a button on the switch to push and release the shaft.
Rick

 

Specifically, this button. Pull the **** out to the headlights on position, press and hold this button, then pull the **** and shaft the rest of the way out. Note that you should not be pulling on the **** when you try to press the button. Just let the **** sit at the headlights on position until you have the button pressed.

 

Joe the assembly you are showing doesn't look anything like my switch. Thax Chuck

 

Rick, the only release point I can see is the small hole in the center of the switch, and as I stated in my request for help, pushing in this hole with a probe doesn't seem to release anything. Any more suggestions? Thax Chuck

 

 

You have two choices for 1956, '062 without Autronic Eye and '069 with. The photos I posted above are of the '062 switch. The '069 should release the same way. All GM pull-style headlight switches into the 1990s release the same way.

 

Can you take a picture of your switch? All the ones I've worked on have a release button. Sometimes you have to give the shaft a good pull.

 

Joe many Thanks !! Once I realized that the **** didn't come off but that the whole shaft assembly came out, I looked harder for the release button. Had to move some wires aside and felt around for it, since it faces the steering column. Came out just as you said. I would have probably screwed the whole switch up without your instructions. Chuck