Neutral Safety Switch Removal Issue

[Amagican]

Hello All,

I am attempting to remove a Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) from a '95 Camry; however, I have hit a literal snag. I was trying to remove the NSS in order to clean it in the hopes of restoring the back-up light function on the vehicle, but I have found that the shaft with the threads at the front (I believe it also aids in shifting gears) where the NSS is attached is slightly bent out of shape. I did not realize this when I first removed the shift lever, nor when I removed the large bolt held in place with the washer with teeth, but rather only when I went to slide the NSS forward.

I cannot pull the NSS forward beyond the point on the shaft where the threads begin. After spraying some PB Blaster on there, I felt with my fingers and could tell that the metal has, somehow, over time bent out of shape. I was able to get the shift lever off of the front, as it was not very deep, but the "bolt" or "mount" (whatever it may be called) in the NSS is far too long to try and maneuver off of the shaft.

Does anyone have any tips or ideas as to how we may get the old NSS off in order to install a new one?
Is there a way to straighten the shaft out so as to pull the NSS off?
Would a tap and die set restore the correct orientation of the shaft?

Any help that you may be able to offer about straightening the shaft would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

[Mister_Perkins]

You can see little notches where the NSS nut was attached, you have to actually put a punch and spread the notches open to completely remove the NSS. If the shaft that is sticking through the NSS is bent, Be VERY careful tapping or messing with it too much. That Shaft is actually part of the transmission. If you break it off you will have to either pull your transmission apart and replace it or get a new transmission.

Try prying the notches in the NSS first .. it should slide right off. Don't open them up too much though because they are compressed metal and break easily. Since you are putting a new one on I wouldnt be too worried about breaking the old one, but for re-installation be VERY careful. Hope that helps!

Stock NSS


Where to use punch

[AliRazoR]

You Tube

You Tube

[Mister_Perkins]

that works fine and dandy if the rod that is sticking through the NSS is straight, doesnt have a lip, not rusted, greased, etc.. If you are like most people, you may struggle with removing the NSS because of Nature, Age, and unforseen problems. That video basically says what to do.. I found that if you are having trouble removing the NSS you can use a punch and spread those tabs apart and it slides off easier. Then you can clean / straigten / grease the shaft thats sticking out.

[Amagican]

Hello All,

I attempted to split the NSS to pull it off the shaft, but was unable to do so. What I ended up doing was sanding down the shaft to a point where I was able to pull the old NSS off and put the new one on. To be honest I was surprised this worked, but it did and the new NSS is working fine.

I put the old nut back on the shaft and tightened it up well and noticed that it must have helped replace/redefine some of the grooves as it was secure but still easier to work off than what it was the first time I put it on.

I attempted to use a tap and die set to straighten out the shaft by redefining the grooves; however, this did not work as the shaft is more oval shaped than it is a circle and the tap and die set would not fit correctly (the true size was in between the molds that this kit contained).

Regardless I thank you all for your help and advice. I will keep it in mind in the future should I ever run into this issue again; although, I hope that I never do.

Cheers!

[Mister_Perkins]

Glad you got it figured out

Those NSS Shafts are a pain. lol

[jtex2717]

youre lucky...last time i tried to remove mine...the whole thing just broke...

good job