The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay steering wheel horn assembly

I took apart two steering wheel horn assemblies from 50-53 chev 3100 trucks 20 years ago and now Im trying to put them together. I notice two issues....maybe someone can help.
1.) One of the "horn button contact assemblies" has a prong and one has not. What is this prong for and where does it sit?
2.) What is the notch on both assemblies for ( around where the steering column goes through ) and where does that fit in? There's no corresponding key in the column ?
3.) One steering wheel has an insulation around the contact and spring assembly, one does not. Figure sect 9 sheet 1.0 of the assembly manual shoes an insulator. Comments?
4.) Sect 9 sheet 1.0 shows no spring around the column stud beneath the steering wheel...this is where the spring goes right?
5.) Lastly, should there be some spring or something to bring the push cap back into position after blowing the horn? (probably at another super slow prius)

Im trying to get this beast back on the road and safety inspected...need the horn ! Appreciate any help. You may need to expand the attached picture.......Glenn

This is for a 1950 chevy pickup and I reference the assembly manual.

1) My “Horn Button Contact Assembly” for my ‘52 3100. does not have the raised tab. I suspect it might be for a later AD that has self canceling turn signals.

2) I also have the keyway and it doesn’t seem to serve any function.

3) The insulation is required to insulate the horn circuit from the steering wheel hub.

4) See answer five.

5) I don’t recall there being a spring as part of the horn assembly.


As you can see in my photos, there is nothing more than you see. The insulated contact spring assembly goes in first, followed by the Horn Button Contact Assembly then the washer and nut. Mine works great!

Awesome. Thank you Phil. Never thought of the self cancelling turn signals...makes perfect sense.

The horn button retainer has spring steel inside of it. That is what keeps the horn from a blowin all the time.

We’re does the spring shown in the picture go ,I have a spare wheel and have the same spring .

Found it it goes like this picture

I had a spring under the steering wheel on my 1950 3100 as well. It seems to not let the wheel down far enough. Can anyone expound on the sping in the photo above and what years this was used on and what for??

Thanks again.

Jerry

I believe that the spring under the steering wheel imparts preload on the steering mast bearing. Without it, there will be play in the steering shaft when you pull up on the steering wheel.

Wouldn't the two angle ball bearings on top and bottom of the worm hold the play in the steering shaft to a minimum? With those adjusted to no play, there would be no need for the spring under the steering wheel. I don't recall removing a spring from the underside of my steering wheel, but I'd have to look at my parts stash to be sure.

If you take a close look at the mast bearing in the above picture, it looks like the spring does indeed put a preload on the bearing. Each race looks to be designed like wheel bearings, where the center nut (or in this case) the spring, applies pressure forcing the two races together separated by the balls in the bearing. I would guess GM engineers designed it this way so no adjustment is ever necessary. IMHO!

That ball bearing would indeed keep the shaft centered with the spring pushing against it, and would eliminate or at least minimize radial (side to side) play in the steering wheel. But since the shaft is a single piece from the steering wheel down to the worm, the worm bearings with the adjusting nut properly set, would eliminate axial play in the shaft.

I agree! Next problem! LOL

I went out and dug out my steering column (partly disassembled) and took a photo. There's a split ring around the shaft that the spring pushes on to take up radial play between the shaft and inner race of the ball bearing. In case anyone is interested.

Thanks Kevin!

As far as the raised tab on the back of the horn button assembly is concerned, If you look at the steering wheel pic (above), you will see a hole at about the 7 o'clock position. If you flip the horn button assembly over, the tab will go into this hole.