'48 Ford horn-missing!

[Cecil/WV]

I have a '48 Ford that is nearing completion and I bought it in pieces. There is something missing that goes under the horn ring to make contact with the wire coming up through the steering shaft. I have the spring. There is provision for a wire to be connected to the ring. What is missing. I can't find a picture of this breakdown. Thanks!

[34pickup]

If I have it right, the wire comes up and screws to the horn ring and when you press the horn ring, it makes contact with the steering column, grounding it out, and making an electrical connection complete which makes the horn blow.

[RalphM]

The wire goes through a plate that attaches to the back of the horn button.

[drolston]

The tricky part is that sponge rubber thing that cushions the horn ring. The replacement I got for my '41 was so fat and stiff I could not get the horn ring installed with it in place. I cut the thickness down by almost half, and it works okay.

[FortyNiner]

These horn connections are head scratchers until you find the attachment point for the wire to the horn relay - this is the one that runs through the steering column. As drolston pointed out, the insulator foam rubber piece is a key part.

Before you start assembling, make sure that you have a good ground for the column - this eliminates some frustration during testing.

[Cecil/WV]

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Originally Posted by RalphM

The wire goes through a plate that attaches to the back of the horn button.

Where is the contact point to complete the connection. My new wire coming up through the steering shaft has an end not compatible with fastening to the button.

[meric42]

Your horn wire should look like this one listed on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11A-14308-1...wAAOSwjjddAzm8

The horn button connection is the screw terminal in the left of the photo. The bullet connector is the one that connects to the loom at the bottom of the steering column.

[RalphM]

Connection is under plastic portion of button, makes contact from wire to ground.

[Cecil/WV]

After looking at the picture posted by RalphM, I did some more research and found that there are 2 different wires listed for '48 and I had the wrong one. I cut my wire and put an end on with an eye and figured out how it works, put it together and it works great!! Thanks to everyone for help and suggestions!

[RalphM]

Yes, some horns have the small center button, and some have the large chrome ring. I never thought about it but I’m sure they are designed differently