The Ford Barn

M1A1 · 02-13-2016, 01:01 PM

I'm piecing my '29 basket case together in my spare time. Have a new horn rod, and cannot seem to get this thing through the steering shaft. About 1' to go I hit something and can't go any farther. I have lubed things up, blown out with air, and stuck a long punch in to try to line things up to no avail. Any tricks to getting this thing in?

Marshall V. Daut · 02-13-2016, 01:52 PM

A problem like this was posted last month. It turned out that the poster was trying to install a '30-31 light switch rod into a column with a '28-29 steering wheel. As I recall, he got stalled in the last 1", too. Not to sound patronizing, but are you sure you have the correct parts for this "basket case" of yours? Can you post a photo or two? That was how the guys here discovered what the problem was with last month's poster. All previous helpful suggestions were to no avail until the poster placed a photo of the mismatched parts and the problem became obvious.
Marshall

Marshall V. Daut · 02-13-2016, 02:31 PM

"M1A1" -
Here's the link to the earlier discussion about the same problem you are experiencing. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...hlight=xmarine
Do the parts look like yours? If so, you have a mismatch.
Marshall

M1A1 · 02-14-2016, 03:49 PM

I hit something with a foot to go. The rod is a new reproduction - it came with the car.

https://goo.gl/photos/vf7fu9bLReqk9tWS9

Marshall V. Daut · 02-14-2016, 04:17 PM

You do have the correct parts, "M1A1". Great! One less thing to worry about.

Remove the left engine pan so that you can push a dowel the size of your light switch rod up from the bottom. A solid steel rod would be best because if somehow a burr was created inside the steering shaft, a solid steel rod could smooth it out. You'll only need a length of 18" or so if the last foot from the top meets an obstruction at the bottom. I wonder if perhaps some mud or gunk is blocking the passageway? Is it possible that the old light switch rod is broken off in the last foot of its length? That would explain the "brick wall" you are coming up against. If you can remove the new light switch rod from the steering column by carefully bowing it downwards as you withdraw it, you should be able to see light all the way through the steering shaft. If not, there IS a blockage of some kind. First, ensure that the center of the steering shaft is clear, and then see if there is a burr. We'll go from there.
Marshall

Marshall V. Daut · 02-14-2016, 04:20 PM

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By the way, it is assumed that you have already removed the light switch bail, retainer and spring from the bottom of the steering column? If the old light switch rod is broken towards its extreme lower end, you should be able to see its tip poking out from the bottom of the steering column. But only after the switch bail has been first removed.
Marshall

M1A1 · 03-15-2016, 01:50 PM

There ended up being a piece of copper tubing about 1 foot long with a flange soldered on the end inside the column. Seems some kind of rig up. I now realize I do not have the parts to complete the job so will work on finding those.

CarlG · 03-15-2016, 01:53 PM

If this is what you found in there, it belongs.

SeaSlugs · 03-15-2016, 03:10 PM

seems someone made thier own if it were copper tubing ^^^ it is a great piece to have and should have if your ordering parts anyways.

02-13-2016, 01:01 PM	#1
M1A1 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 7	Horn Rod install I'm piecing my '29 basket case together in my spare time. Have a new horn rod, and cannot seem to get this thing through the steering shaft. About 1' to go I hit something and can't go any farther. I have lubed things up, blown out with air, and stuck a long punch in to try to line things up to no avail. Any tricks to getting this thing in?

02-13-2016, 01:52 PM	#2
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,627	Re: Horn Rod install A problem like this was posted last month. It turned out that the poster was trying to install a '30-31 light switch rod into a column with a '28-29 steering wheel. As I recall, he got stalled in the last 1", too. Not to sound patronizing, but are you sure you have the correct parts for this "basket case" of yours? Can you post a photo or two? That was how the guys here discovered what the problem was with last month's poster. All previous helpful suggestions were to no avail until the poster placed a photo of the mismatched parts and the problem became obvious. Marshall

02-13-2016, 02:31 PM	#3
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,627	Re: Horn Rod install "M1A1" - Here's the link to the earlier discussion about the same problem you are experiencing. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...hlight=xmarine Do the parts look like yours? If so, you have a mismatch. Marshall

02-14-2016, 03:49 PM	#4
M1A1 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 7	Re: Horn Rod install I hit something with a foot to go. The rod is a new reproduction - it came with the car. https://goo.gl/photos/vf7fu9bLReqk9tWS9

02-14-2016, 04:17 PM	#5
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,627	Re: Horn Rod install You do have the correct parts, "M1A1". Great! One less thing to worry about. Remove the left engine pan so that you can push a dowel the size of your light switch rod up from the bottom. A solid steel rod would be best because if somehow a burr was created inside the steering shaft, a solid steel rod could smooth it out. You'll only need a length of 18" or so if the last foot from the top meets an obstruction at the bottom. I wonder if perhaps some mud or gunk is blocking the passageway? Is it possible that the old light switch rod is broken off in the last foot of its length? That would explain the "brick wall" you are coming up against. If you can remove the new light switch rod from the steering column by carefully bowing it downwards as you withdraw it, you should be able to see light all the way through the steering shaft. If not, there IS a blockage of some kind. First, ensure that the center of the steering shaft is clear, and then see if there is a burr. We'll go from there. Marshall

02-14-2016, 04:20 PM	#6
Marshall V. Daut Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Davenport, Iowa Posts: 2,627	Re: Horn Rod install Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) By the way, it is assumed that you have already removed the light switch bail, retainer and spring from the bottom of the steering column? If the old light switch rod is broken towards its extreme lower end, you should be able to see its tip poking out from the bottom of the steering column. But only after the switch bail has been first removed. Marshall

03-15-2016, 01:50 PM	#7
M1A1 Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 7	Re: Horn Rod install There ended up being a piece of copper tubing about 1 foot long with a flange soldered on the end inside the column. Seems some kind of rig up. I now realize I do not have the parts to complete the job so will work on finding those.

03-15-2016, 03:10 PM	#9
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Horn Rod install seems someone made thier own if it were copper tubing ^^^ it is a great piece to have and should have if your ordering parts anyways. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!