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Old 12-17-2017, 07:01 PM   #1
Anteek29
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Default Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

Not having the dedicated tool for this purpose, I devised a simple approach...I wedged a wooden paint stirrer between the tie rod and one of the spider tangs to hold the compressed spring. I used a freebie stirrer from Home Depot shortened to 11-1/2". The beautiful aspect of this procedure is now having both hands free you can leisurely install that infamous C clip without struggling to hold back the spring.
As an aside, I have heard that the little tool used for this purpose does not work that well...
Oh, and don't forget to use a yardstick in the steering wheel to secure the horn rod
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Last edited by Anteek29; 12-18-2017 at 10:24 AM. Reason: Clarify
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Old 12-17-2017, 08:09 PM   #2
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

If its a 30-31 column and there is no oil in the steering box just remove the two screws that hold the light switch fits onto. then put one screw back finger tight. Now you have two hands free. Tape the horn rod down or have another person hold down. Put the spider and spring and compress spring with spider. Then slip C clip on. To finish the job just reverse what you did to remove the C clip
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Old 12-18-2017, 07:30 AM   #3
john charlton
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

I hold the spider tang up with two small cable ties looped around the bail "ears" .This allows you to use both hands to position the "C" clip open side down in the recess . It is happy to stay there while you clip the cable ties clear . Works for me every time .

John in lovely sunny morning Suffolk County England .
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Old 12-18-2017, 09:31 AM   #4
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

I have tried all the fancy little tools that are made just for doing this job and none of them works better than a small pair of vise grips, hold the horn rod down with a yard stick bent through the steering wheel, put the vise grip on one tang push the spider up on the rod and install the clip. it works for me.
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Old 12-18-2017, 10:33 AM   #5
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

The problem I had was that the new clip didn't fit properly, had to modify it.
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Old 12-18-2017, 10:40 AM   #6
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

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Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
The problem I had was that the new clip didn't fit properly, had to modify it.
Yes, I had to do the same to mine as well but now it fits nice and snug.
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Old 12-18-2017, 11:51 PM   #7
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

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Originally Posted by katy View Post
The problem I had was that the new clip didn't fit properly, had to modify it.
I had the same problem, and now make sure the C clip fits the groove before I install the spring.
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Old 12-19-2017, 02:07 AM   #8
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

Agreed, the new reproduction "C" clips do not fit right (why do they make this junk anyway?), ended up reusing the original one.
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Old 12-19-2017, 09:05 AM   #9
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

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Agreed, the new reproduction "C" clips do not fit right (why do they make this junk anyway?), ended up reusing the original one.
Yep, encountered the same issue. However, I had to modify the new one because I lost the old one - dang it!
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Old 12-19-2017, 09:20 AM   #10
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

Years ago I lost one and couldn't source a replacement, so I ended up making one out of a small nail, bent it to shape, cut the ends off, then flattened it out. Worked good.
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Old 12-19-2017, 11:50 AM   #11
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

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I have tried all the fancy little tools that are made just for doing this job and none of them works better than a small pair of vise grips, hold the horn rod down with a yard stick bent through the steering wheel, put the vise grip on one tang push the spider up on the rod and install the clip. it works for me.
John shared this with me several years ago and it works !!!
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Old 12-19-2017, 01:55 PM   #12
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

One thing is a certainty. If you don't have a spare "C" clip, you will lose the one and only that you have when it goes flying across the garage. Of course if you have spares, you will never ever need to use them.
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Old 12-19-2017, 01:59 PM   #13
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

Katy,
Bet you have used a NAIL fur a Kotter Key---LOL
ALSO, are they called "C" clips or "E" clips? Most folks call them +*$^$#$++^^^&#@ clips!--LOL
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Old 12-19-2017, 02:03 PM   #14
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

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Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON View Post
Most folks call them +*$^$#$++^^^&#@--LOL
As in: "Where did it go??"
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Old 12-19-2017, 02:18 PM   #15
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

I made a tool out of a length of brass rod and a bike spoke .

The spoke should fit snug inside the rod. Cut a grove across the diameter

of the rod about 1/8 " deep.This will allow the clip to be firmly held and give

greater control of the clip. you can then hold the spring up with pliers and in

insert clip.
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Old 12-20-2017, 09:24 AM   #16
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

They make the c clip junk because we buy it,find an original!
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Old 12-20-2017, 09:45 AM   #17
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Default Re: Coping with 'C' Clip on Horn Rod

Quote:
Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON View Post
Katy,
Bet you have used a NAIL fur a Kotter Key---LOL
ALSO, are they called "C" clips or "E" clips? Most folks call them +*$^$#$++^^^&#@ clips!--LOL
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