OK, that's making sense though I don't think it would still be an issue with mine. You could safely put a small washer under each one to resolve that issue. It doesn't take much.
Nick it measures roughly an inch and 1/8 Take the nut off and compare it to the one that knuckle busted just posted.
@knucklebusted I noticed my spring holder is solid and doesn't have that clip in slot to hold the plunger in. I noticed that late last night. Again, the vendor that sold me this column said it would fit a 70 Buick. Now I'm wondering what year this column is really for. @Stage 2 iron Thanks Frank...My inside diameter is 0.950". I almost put some nylon washers under the contact but realized it they need to be metal. Was thinking about that as well. I need to verify it fits my horn button.
I've used several different columns in my cars over the years without major issues. One is out of a 1972 SS Monte that I converted from column to floor shift. Yes, metal washers would be needed for the horn to honk.
Hey @Stage 2 iron and @knucklebusted Thanks again for all your help and pics. Works now. I decided to buy an new contact from NPD for Chevelle and as you can see from the pics, the inside diameter is larger. Goes from about 0.950” to 1.125” so no longer shorts to the steering wheel nut. And the three tabs that mount to the wheel are slightly stepped. Looks like the contact I was sold years ago is for a Corvette. New on left old on right
I will be installing this same wheel. Here are my parts...parts place includes no instructions. They emailed a very vague illustration after I asked for instructions. They said I need to use my cars assembly manual. Lol I dont have an assembly manual. They sell a $300 wheel and don't include instructions....? The only thing I'm super unsure about is what order the horn pieces go in. But a good guide to follow would be nice if anyone has one.
It isn't hard. The hub goes on the steering column (you can do this with or without the steering wheel attached) The horn spring/plunger goes in the protruding tube. It is spring, plunger with head against spring and locked in with the quarter twist of the white plastic collar. If the wheel wasn't attached, do so now with the 6 countersunk screws. The horn button hub goes on with three screws, the protruding tang should be set to align with the horn spring-loaded plunger. You should be able to test the horn at this point. Press the horn button on. It should beep if there is power. I find that if I put a piece of paper between the two horn hub parts, I can install the button without honking. Pull the paper out and test.
Can I go ahead and install the wheel without the 3 contact pieces in my top picture? This illustration shows them going in first before the hub. Edit: I see step one. Just curious why their illustration shows it this way. This is why my car has no steering wheel installed right now.
Is this hub gap okay? Its 1/4 inch. It doesn't want to go on any further. Horn isn't working consistently either. Is contact grease recommended any where?
I usually paint the underlying cover black to blend in with the wheel hub. Otherwise, it doesn't look over wide. I have never used anything on mine. You can use a test wire to find out where the issue is by shorting the hub to a known good ground. You can also use an ohm meter to check that the steering column is grounded properly.
Here’s a picture of my steering column to use for reference. The horn contact is not greased if it works intermittently it’s probably because The pin is not locked you have to finagle the plastic sleeve to get it to lock.
Mine does not lock. View photo. The white tube coming up through the hub is solid..nothing can lock into it.
The plastic sleeve should have a little nob on the out side that locks into the housing. You have to finagle it to get it to lock if not the horn won’t work correctly.
I have something different going on. The tube coming up through the hub is solid like these...nothing can snap into it.
I got it figured out. Sometimes walking away from something for a few hours solves the problem. My setup is a little different. The piece in picture 1 just fits snug into the piece that is circled in picture 2. Nothing locks in. Once assembled the horn was still intermittent. I just pressed it a bunch and "exercised" it a little. Now its working perfect. Zero instructions were included with these parts. I know it seems simple but I've literally never done one of these before. And I got a little confused. So hopefully this will help someone else doing this for the first time.
