The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 1941 Horn Wiring Question

I have read the advice about the 1941 horn topic. My question is how does the wire connect through the steering colume hole? I have an original horn cable, a tenth grade education but I just can figure this one out. Thanks, Bert

Just went through this with my ‘41 and have it almost figured out. Here Goes… The horn is hot all the time when you push the button in the center of the steering wheel you complete the circuit by grounding the horn.

There is a hole in the bottom of the steering shaft cover just above where it clamps to the steering gear box. Its really there just filled with grease. This is where the wire comes out and proceeds to the horn. The wire runs up inside the steering shaft cover up to that little bearing at the top that keeps the shaft aligned in the center of the cover just below the steering wheel. The wire is soldered to the outside of the bearing (you will see a small indentation where it is to be soldered on). The bearing is actually hot all the time as the wire coming from the horn is hot. The bearing is insulated from both the shaft and shaft cover with a VERY thin layer of bakelite.

The rest is my best guess as I do not have all of my steering wheel parts. There is a round cone shaped cover that is suspended below the steering wheel by three prongs that extend through the 3 holes in the steering wheel hub where they somehow attach to the back of the horn button and the whole thing is pushed toward the driver by a spring inside the steering wheel hub pushing against the back of the horn button. When the horn button is pressed the round cone shaped thing contacts the hot part if the bearing and completes the circuit

. http://chevy.tocmp.com/bulletins/46csn0904.htm

Thanks Kip, I have all of the parts. How do I get the wire down the steering column through the hole? What parts do you need. Perhaps I can help. Bert

Hi Bret

I haven't tried it yet, but because I have the steering shaft cover loose. (it is nor out because it hits the cab roof before clearing the top of the shaft) I plan to run a stiff wire down from the top and out the bottom. Then pull a more flexible wire or string through. Then fish the string out through the hole at the bottom of the shaft cover. Then pull the real wire down from the top and out through the hole.

As far as parts I'm still trying to figure out what kind of steering wheel I have. The one that came with the truck was FUBAR so I bought what was supposed to be a '41 but after going through the learning curve of how the whole thing is wired and supposed to work I now think I have a '36 - '40 steering wheel. So now I'm trying to figure out what the parts inside the hub and the contacts look like.

Forgot to mention that I did not invent this info. It came from others who help make up this great site. Thanks to Dadd6timz, Brendan M, & TWEAK

Kip, thanks for sharing the info. Like Bert, I've been trying to figure out how the dang thing works. I've got it all wired up and can honk the horn by completing the circuit with a screwdriver, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out how the horn button worked. Your explanation made it all clear. BTW, I got my cone unit from Obsolete Chevrolet Parts in Georgia if you need one.

I've got pictures of how the horn button parts fit together. If you need them let me know and I can email them to you. (Sorry , can't post them here) This is for a 46, the only 41 I've seen was different, but the guy said it was from a car and not a truck.

George

George, thanks for the offer. Please send the photos when you have a chance as I may ditch the '40 steering wheel and find a real '41 wheel and horn parts.

[email protected]

Look in E-bay, there's a mast bearing and wire assy. for sell. item #8052654269.