VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 horn wire

Do I have to pull the steering column to replace the horn wire, or is there another way to replace it?
Thanks.

Not sure what you are working on but many horn wires can be replaced by removing the horn button from the center of the steering wheel. the wire may running down the center of the steering shaft. others have a switch on the side of the steering column.

And others have a mast jacket bushing in the steering column that the horn wire is connected to. In that case the steering column must be removed and then the mast jacket bushing has to be removed to get to the horn wire.

What year are you working on?

Sorry I give the year it is a 31 landau phaeton

Yes you need to remove the steering wheel. It is not too difficult. First option is to have someone tap on the center with nut even with the top of the threads while you pull the wheel toward you. Might take a couple of taps. Brass hammer or brass drift is best against the shaft so you don't mess up the threads.

Or tap the two holes that the prongs for the horn go through with a 10-32 tap. Get a couple of long 10-32 machine screws, put them in the holes and then use a standard steering wheel puller or two jaw puller. Might have to use washers under the machine screw heads. Also might just have to tap on the puller center bolt with tension on the puller.

Then it is best to remove the column tube and replace the bushing. Is not as tough as it seems.

Also, for a better response to your questions on your 1931 you might want to post in the 1929-31 forum instead of here in the 1912-28 forum.

Good luck with repairing your horn problem. Replacing the mast jacket bushing and horn wire is a little time consuming but not extremely difficult.

Thanks for the advice and info. I'm new to the VCCA website and still feeling my way around. I will also post to the forum you suggest.

Cool! By the way, if you need a new mast jacket bushing, which includes the horn wire, you can get one from the Filling Station in Lebanon, Oregon.

The project to remake the bushings began seven years ago. Who would have thought that when the first production batch of 108 was completed five years ago that a total of 300 would have been made. Looks like we will need to produce another 100 soon. Several sources carry the bushing in addition to the Filling Station.