1942 Deluxe Steering Wheel / Horn Button Help

[GearHeadDiver]

I am looking for an exploded diagram / parts diagram for a 1942 Deluxe steering wheel horn assembly to see what I am missing/require to have my horn work as intended as opposed to the remote horn button that was installed by a previous owner.

And photos, diagrams or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[glennpm]

The horn is pretty simple. The horn button has three tabs that slide into slots in the horn ring. You will need to push on the horn button twist and find blindly, the three horn ring slots, then the button will come out.


Under the horn button there is a wire attached to it and a spring that holds the button proud of the ring. When you push the horn button it will be grounded to the ring with the circuit completed through a wire coming out the bottom of the steering box. You may find that only the wire needs to be spliced and extended out the bottom of the box.







Glenn

[GearHeadDiver]

Glenn,

Thank you for taking the time...
I have the horn button.off but what I need to see (visually) is the connection from the wire (in steering column) to the ring... im assuming the wire is held in the column, some sort of small spring at the end allowing contact with the ring?

[glennpm]

The wire connects to the button, not the ring. Look again at the second photo above, then look at your button.

[GearHeadDiver]

Glenn,

I see no photos...

[glennpm]

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Originally Posted by GearHeadDiver

Glenn,

I see no photos...

Fixed, sorry!

[meric42]

I have several horn buttons and rings of the era and can possibly help you. Do you have a button or ring?

[drolston]

That black tar between the horn button (or ring) and the three prong attachment plate is supposed to be springy foam. Good replacements are available.
The insulator posts held in place by the three screws are supposed to allow slight movement between the button and attachment plate. They are often crushed or damaged and stuck. I could find no replacements for them but was able to substitute black nylon/plastic spacers and washers that allowed just the right amount of movement. If you need those, P.M. me and I will send you some spares.

On my '41 the wire to the screw on the horn button goes through center hole, not through a hole in the plate, as depicted in the third photo.

Good luck!

[glennpm]

The '42 has a thin widely spaced coil spring








Top of spring #3626 sits inside the cup on the bottom of the horn button.
You can probably find a light weight spring at a good hardware store.

[GearHeadDiver]

Originally Posted by meric42

I have several horn buttons and rings of the era and can possibly help you. Do you have a button or ring?

This is what I've got...

[glennpm]

Perfect, you have everything you need. Either splice to the wire stub or preferably,add a ring terminal to the end of a new 16 or 14 gauge wire long enough to come out the bottom of your steering box where you'll need a bullet type of terminal to plug into the stock wiring. I splice would be stiffer and could interfere with the button action.




Glenn

[glennpm]

Did you repair it yet?


Glenn

[GearHeadDiver]

Glenn,

No, not yet....
The wheel and column were modified to fit in a Roadster, I need to figure out how to run a wire from the column hub to exit the (sealed bottom) shaft...I may install a tube inside the column itself to house/protect the wire.

[glennpm]

Okay, just wondering.
Post some pictures of the column and bottom and you may get some ideas here.


Glenn

[drolston]

Originally Posted by GearHeadDiver

Glenn,

No, not yet....
The wheel and column were modified to fit in a Roadster, I need to figure out how to run a wire from the column hub to exit the (sealed bottom) shaft...I may install a tube inside the column itself to house/protect the wire.

The steering shaft is tubular and intended for the horn wire to run through it and out the bottom of the steering box. No added tube needed for protection. Just use good new 14 gauge stranded wire with good insulation.

[glennpm]

You should also twist the wire around a socket for example, so all the steering acts on the coil and not over the length of the entire wire length.