Simple Horn Fix!

[Carrera Charlie]

I just made a simple discovery that may assist someone out there ... my horn pad was always depressed towards the left side of the steering wheel and the contact for the horn remained closed (always on - thus the missing horn when I purchased the car)! The horn pad also felt loose and would wobble. I fixed both last night quite easily!

First, the three tabs that hold the pad to the steering wheel must be equally straight - one was slightly bent. The bent tab was enough to tip the pad to tip towards the left and cause the contact to remain closed. By carefully prying with a screwdriver, the tab is easily realigned to the original position and the pad returns to a balanced location:



The ingenious part of the fix was stopping the wobble! The reason for the wobble was a tired rubber cup on the back of the pad. After years of faithful service, it no longer had the resiliency to center the pad and push it back to center. It needed a boost and being the frugal person I am (and not having access to new parts at 10:00 PM) I noticed the size of the cup was approximately the same size as a milk bottle cap. Finding one in my store of oil collection bottles, I test fit the cap and it was a perfect fit! After trimming out the inner sealing ring, which interfered with the steering wheel nut, I slipped it on and it centered perfectly with a nice resistance and return on both sides of the wheel:





I pinched the horns from my '74 Carrera (waiting for full rebuild) and now had sound where before there was none!

I now feel better that I can make people aware of me (I nearly soiled myself when a Ford F350 was backing up at a traffic light and I could not roll the window down fast enough to shout - stopped 5 inches away from my hood)!!

Hopes this helps someone out there - enjoy!

Regards,

[Rex Walter]

Charlie,

I love those fixes that don't cost anything - great job! I'll have to add plastic milk bottle tops to my tool box.

Was it 2% or whole milk?

Rex

[gassy]

How do you get the horn pad off? I think I have the same problem. HEY KIDS! COME DRINK YOUR MILK!

[blucille]

or, buy a new part, I did this last year, it was a couple of bucks for a new rubber ring.

-Lewis

[Carrera Charlie]

Gassy,

The horn pad rotates counter-clockwise (with some firm pressure) to approximately 30 degrees and comes off:







It's the reverse to put it back on - a very easy process.

Lewis,

You're right ... and I will buy a replacement part, but it's so much fun "kluge-ing" something together!!

Regards,

[defcon65]

I like it. What can you fix with an empty beer can?

[blucille]

a rough day at the office

-L

[gassy]

thanks Charlie

[livi]

Nice upgrade !

I have another problem. My horn does not work at all. Canīt figure out why.

[1973_911T]

Thank You for posting this. This weekend I finally got fed up. I could no longer tolerate the random horn honks when going around corners or over bumps. I've replaced the rubber boot and switch in the past, but the symptoms persisted.

I searched and found this thread. I was desperate, so I gave it a try.

I installed my Skim milk cap today and after several hours of testing I'm proud to report my horn problems are solved.

I'm sure there's a more eloquent solution with a spring or something but sometimes simple is best. I too removed the inner seal. The cap really reduces the wobble of the horn pad which seems to be the culprit with the random honks.

[Carrera Charlie]

1973_911T,

I'm glad I could contribute back to this board and help someone else - I've learned so much here that has helped me keep my '69 on the road! Thanks for letting me know this was useful!

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

Regards,

[Eddyvdw]

Hi Charlie,

I'm also fixing the steering wheel and the horn pad is wobbling like crazy. The only part new to me is the rubber ring between the wheel and horn pad (which makes perfectly sense btw). Is that an original part? Can't find it in the part list either.

Thanks,
Ed

[HarryD]

It appears in the 914 catalog.
Pelican Parts - Product Information: 901-347-823-01-M100