After getting into it the rod is out of placement in both the switch in the lower part of the column and the multi switch at the top. Looks like I am going to have to pull the wheel and replace everything or at least try to figure out how the rod attaches at the top (bottom is straight forward). Thanks for the help guys
I've never been into a non-tilt column so I can't speak with any degree of certainty about them. But, if you have a tilt column - I have done a handful of those - I am almost positive that the top end of the actuating rod doesn't attach to anything. The rod is just "captured" between the switch on the bottom and the pivot actuating pin at the top. The dimmer switch isn't a push/pull type and I don't know the name of the type it is. But it is the kind that - every time it is operated - the internal spring always returns the button back to the top of it's stroke.
So, since it is that constant spring pressure exerted on the rod by the dimmer switch that keeps it held tightly up against the lower end of the pivot actuating pin...if the spring in your switch is shot, the actuating rod will have excessive play in both the axial and radial directions (i.e. it will wobble around).
Additionally, the rod is kept in location by a cast hole in the support housing - just below the end of the pin. The actuating pin is kept tightly in place by a removable aluminum boss that is inserted into the backside of the lock housing cover. The top of the actuating pin is acted upon by the pivot arm, which in turn is moved up and down by the MFS stalk.
The end of the actuating rod is curved to allow the pin and rod to maintain contact throughout the full range of tilt. A couple of images showing the rod and the hole that supports it:
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Top of the pivot pin where it contacts the pivot arm:
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Bottom view of actuating pin's removable guide boss - and as it is being removed:
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This is just a WAG, but if you have a non-tilt column I would imagine that the dimmer switch operating linkage used is similar. Probably without the curve on the end of the rod and no actuating pin (the rod extends directly up to the pivot arm).