steering wheel horn push mechanism, how does it work?

[sqweaka]

the inside of my horn push is in quite a bad state, anyone got a link to rebuilding one to working order. the copper pin in the steering wheel that makes contact with the column, should that float (spring)or when you tighten the wheel down does it just clamp up hard against the brass face?

any help... again
thanks

[wolffcub]

http://talk.classicparts.com/threads...-advice.12476/

[Coupeguy2001]

The spring pin rides on a upper brass ring that is part of the steering column upper bearing. It is supposed to be free, and the spring holds the contact pin against the brass ring.
There is a wire attached to it that goes to the negative side of the horn relay. In essence, when you push on the horn button, you ground out the ring, and the contact with the spring in it is the path the ground takes because the wheel turns, and can't use a piece of wire.
The thing that the horn button is attached to is the button "spring" if you will that returns the horn button to the no contact position.
So here's what happens:
1 you see an alarming situation, and your hand goes to the button.
2. the device that holds the horn button makes contact with the little spring contact that pushes into the little hole in the steering wheel and provides a ground.
3. the bottom of that pin contact rides on the brass ring, and transmits the ground to the upper bearing.
4. the upper bearing wire is connected to the harness that allows that grounded wire to go to the horn relay negative contact.
5. The horn relay has power to it all the time, so you just grounded the negative side of the coil.
6. the coil pulls in the relay, and allows the horn relay to provide 12 volts to the wire that goes to the horns.
7.The horns are grounded by their mounts, and the 12 volts activates the horn.

[sqweaka]

hi thanks for replying, on mine the horn button.. the bit with chevy on it! clips on to a sprig loaded disc with clips round the outside to attach it, that is held to the wheel with the centre nut, removing that, attached to the wheel (solidly in my case is a copper stud that goes through the wheel and makes contact with the brass bearing as you discribed, now should this copper bit be solid or as i think should it be spring loaded or something to allow it to mate with the brass bearing holder?

[Foot Stomper]

[chopit]

8. the alarming situation
a. takes heed
b. flips you off

[cymro]

I'll copy the page from the build manual if you want it, it may help, the horn if I remember correctly is always live and is earthed through the steering column when the button is pressed.

[Coupeguy2001]

It should be spring loaded, and is termed the horn contact.
Probably your truck's previous owner couldn't find the contact, and just put a copper stud in it's place.
Go to LMC.com and I think they are just a couple bucks for a new one.

[SKFengineer]

Diggin up a slightly older thread...

From reading the above description it seems we should be able to gently pry the horn button (part with the chevy symbol) away from the clip to gain access to the horn wiring and the nut that holds the steering wheel to the column. Is that the case, I just don't want to break anything by force.

Thanks

[47 Fasttoys]

You are correct, you will not see any horn wire after the cap comes off. It is a single wire which is attached the under side of the contact plunger, from there it runs about a foot down the column and exits through an oval hole with a clamp attached. If you pull the contact plunger up you will see the wire. All the parts are available. You will see the plunger after you remove the nut and contact plate.
Rob

[Russell Ashley]

Is it an AD or TF?

[SKFengineer]

Sorry the truck is a 1956 TF 3100

[ApacheProject]

Any pics? I don’t have anything that looks like a spring except for what’s inside the contact spring bushing. I don’t see how the horn button retainer can move as it’s under the steering wheel nut.