1968 stock steering wheel and horn button assy kit

[easyrider]

it should be pretty straight forward; only a few moving parts, but with out any instructions and nothing to start with, I've run into a problem. I have purchased a stock steering wheel and and horn assy kit. I don't know if the round spring plate should bow up or bow down, but when assembled, when I cross the screw with the horn button retaining plate the horn blows, but pushing the horn button retainer nothing happens. I tried to upload photos but got this message:

Your submission could not be processed because a security token was missing.

If this occurred unexpectedly, please inform the administrator and describe the action you performed before you received this error.

So, I don't know where to go from here. A photo or diagram would be appreciated.
(An explanation on what to do with this message would be nice too)

[402Bowtie]

Originally Posted by easyrider

it should be pretty straight forward; only a few moving parts, but with out any instructions and nothing to start with, I've run into a problem. I have purchased a stock steering wheel and and horn assy kit. I don't know if the round spring plate should bow up or bow down, but when assembled, when I cross the screw with the horn button retaining plate the horn blows, but pushing the horn button retainer nothing happens. I tried to upload photos but got this message:

Your submission could not be processed because a security token was missing.

If this occurred unexpectedly, please inform the administrator and describe the action you performed before you received this error.

So, I don't know where to go from here. A photo or diagram would be appreciated.
(An explanation on what to do with this message would be nice too)

I'm not an expert on the horn assembly, but regarding the pictures....if you are posting pics from your phone try one or two pics per post. Otherwise, get them on your computer and resize them in Paint or a screenshot program. Ultimately, the file sizes you are using are too big.

[easyrider]

i think i have the photos

['68OrangeSunshine]

Try it spring down. That is, outside edges down, center up. I marked mine with an X in Sharpie ink on the top, so I can find the right way.

[dmjlambert]

The spring disc goes convex side up. The outer edge rests against the raised plastic area around the metal hub. The inner edge of the disc is then suspended above the raised metal area of of the hub near the nut. The metal cup sits on top of the disc, then the plastic screw insulator goes next. The plastic of the insulator goes through the larger holes of the disc to seat all the way down on the steering wheel hub. The inner edge of the spring disc contacts the raised metal area of the steering wheel hub near the nut, but only when pressed.

I recommend:
Disconnect the horn under the hood.
Clean the raised metal area around the steering wheel nut with a wire brush. That is the place that must conduct electricity on contact.
Use a screwdriver to short the steering wheel nut to the pin, and verify you hear the clicking of the relay.
Then remove the screwdriver and start assembly. It is easy to get the spring disc pinched wrong during assembly, resulting in the relay always engaging. So you will have to jostle it and try several times to get the cup and plastic insulator and the screws in there and functioning.

Once you have it together, pushing on any part of the cup should trigger the relay. Then try it with the horn button installed. Re-connect the horn.

Note that 67-68 have a different depth metal cup compared to the more commonly available and shorter 69-72 metal cup. If you don't have the deep cup the horn button won't have enough movement to honk the horn. Here is a thread that discusses this stuff. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=765874
And here is a picture from LockDoc

[LockDoc]

-
You can read through this thread. Instructions are a little spread out but they are all there.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426902

Like dmjlambert said remove all paint and/or rust from the inside of the hub.

LockDoc

['68OrangeSunshine]

I believe the deeper cans [1'' for '67-'68] are available from Truck and Car Shops of Orange, CA.

[easyrider]

I think I finally have it all assembled correctly and when the cup is pressed it makes contact and blows horn. Only, it will only blow at one place on horn button. Pushing around the horn button only works in one (lower right) spot. Any idea what I do to correct this?? Thanks...

[dmjlambert]

Before you install the horn button you just press on various places on the metal cup does it work fine? How tall is your metal cup?

[easyrider]

I have the tall cup and it works in one spot only. I'm wondering if the contact point could be dirty and not making good contact except in that one spot?

[dmjlambert]

Well you can tell by removing the horn button. Then see if you can press the metal cup in various places and it works normally.

If pressing the metal cup and it still only works in one spot only, you know the problem is under the metal cup and the spring disc and steering wheel hub need to be cleaned up.

If pressing the metal cup works no matter where you press it, then problem is with the horn button. If the horn button needs to be higher you could probably make some plastic washers to put under the legs of the plastic ring with legs, and put an equally thick spacer between the spring disc and the metal cup. That will give the button a little extra height and clearance to move up and down. You could probably use a coffee can lid for material. Forum member nickmomrik mentioned in his thread (which I gave the link to above) that he had to add some plastic washers and spacers.

[easyrider]

Thanks for the helpful information!!