The problem?
Not a problem but a 10 minute aesthetic upgrade. The Rover 800 / Freelander stalks feel so much better and look OEM compared to the thin shiny black stalks fitted as standard, which look slightly out of place. The stalks are a direct replacement and use the same connectors as the F/TF.
Note: There is no need to remove the steering wheel to change the stalks
Tools needed;
Small cross head screwdriver and a thin flat blade (I used a paring knife).
Preparation;
I went on ebay and for the princely sum of £1.99 won a set of Rover 800 stalks. My postman was slightly intrigued by what I was up to now when handing over the parcel
Remove the two stalks by removing the two retaining screws on each side and then use a blade to release them from the main housing.
Now you know how they come out, take the two stalks to your car...
The loose connector on the wire does not connect to anything on the F/TF, this is for the variable time intermittent wipe on the 800.
The Fix;
1) Remove the screws holding the steering column trim and remove trim
2) From the straight ahead position rotate the steering wheel 90
o clockwise to expose the retaining screws on the wiper stalk.
Remove the two screws and connector then replace the wiper stalk then refit the two screws.
3) Rotate the steering wheel to expose the retaining screws on the lights stalk.
Remove the two screws and connector then replace the light stalk then refit the two screws.
4) Refit the steering column trim – there you go 10 minutes job done
Now enjoy your shorter, chunkier stalks which not only feel much better quality but actually look like they were designed for the car, looking more OEM than the thin shiny black ones.
The new wiper stalk does have a variable speed intermittent slider setting which is not compatible with the F / TF. I know a lot of people have had a look into this but I’m not sure if an easy usable solution has been found. Personally I don’t use the variable timer wipe on the other cars I have anyway. If you know of an easy fix for the variable time wipe then feel free to add it below.