Topic: '66 Deluxe steering causes horn to go off when installed

[socalgt]

When installing '66 deluxe steering wheel and the nut is just about tight, the horn activates.  Is this  an adjustment of some type, or could  I have installed something wrong?  From looking at pictures, I think I have them correct.

                                                                                                    Thanks...

[Hipo giddyup]

You can loosen the steering column nuts under the dash and slide the steering column down towards the steering box to gain more distance. I had the same problem with my deluxe wheel I installed a few months back and found that the rubber seal at the end of the steering column had moved out of the end a bit and wouldn't allow me for more distance to move it down. After removing the column and replacing the end rubber seal, the wheel went on fine,  I gained the spacing I needed,  and no longer had the problem you describe.. Worked for me.

[67gtasanjose]

Continuity test the steering wheel while it if off the car, (ohm meter works good, better if you have the built-in "beeper" type)

If the circuit is closed, (shows resistance without pressing the horn) you have it together wrong. If the horn switches are working right, it will test out OK. (infinite resistance till pressing the horn contacts)

[jwc66k]

It might take you several hours of "tweeking" a deluxe steering wheel on the bench, especially if you have a rebuilt wheel. The re-chromeing process has a tendency to warp the metal, and the new wood doesn't help. I use a multi-meter but a simple light bulb and battery with some leads works well.
Jim

[socalgt]

You can loosen the steering column nuts under the dash and slide the steering column down towards the steering box to gain more distance. I had the same problem with my deluxe wheel I installed a few months back and found that the rubber seal at the end of the steering column had moved out of the end a bit and wouldn't allow me for more distance to move it down. After removing the column and replacing the end rubber seal, the wheel went on fine,  I gained the spacing I needed,  and no longer had the problem you describe.. Worked for me.

So then I assume that the column housing stays put while the part with the horn contacts moves forward ...otherwise it seems like if the whole column moved, including the plate with the horn contacts, the distance between the horn rings on the wheel and the contact pins would be the same.  Am I missing something?

[Asm109]

The shaft the wheel bolts to is one piece coming out of the box in the engine compartment.  It won't move for love nor money.
The column slides over the shaft and can move up and down the shaft.

[Texas Swede]

My friend in Sweden and owner of a 66 Shelby, 6S923 has the opposite problem. He bought a repo deluxe steering wheel at the 50th in Vegas and I bought him a NOS turn signal switch and no horn sounds when pressing on one of the spokes. When he shorts the contacts on the turn signal switch the horn sounds. Could the adjustment you talk about above be his solution as well?
Thanks,
Texas Swede

[jwc66k]

Some of the wires going into the connector from the column to the main harness are mixed up. Match colors on each side of the connectors. There is a tool to remove pins or sockets that will aid in switching back. I've used a small diameter brass tube (5/64 inch I think) to compress the retainers on pins before I got the removal tool.
Jim

[jwc66k]

The shaft the wheel bolts to is one piece coming out of the box in the engine compartment.  It won't move for love nor money.
The column slides over the shaft and can move up and down the shaft.

It's the outer tube that moves up or down for the adjustment. There is a slot in the tube where the two piece clamp holds it to the under side of the dash to keep it in the correct up/down position. There are two lock nuts going into two studs that are on plate under the edge of the dash. The studs "may" come out with the nuts. It's sometimes difficult to move the tube as the firewall seals make it very (water) tight. Also there is a round grommet seal at the tube base near the steering box. (Occasionally an extra grommet at the steering box is provided to drive you crazy.)
Jim

[Hipo giddyup]

 So from reading these posts you could have a couple things going on. The horn worked with my Shelby-like La Carra steering wheel before I switched to the deluxe wheel. I had a good used original so i never experienced issues with repros. There are a few adjustments that can be made to the contact points under the deluxe wheel. I did check these before my install to make sure each of the three contact areas were making contact before the install. There are a few articles on the web that discuss this.. At that point is when I ended up moving the column to help make the contact. If your horn never worked, or if you added a new turn signal switch, then of course start with the electrical aspect of it. Good point made by jwc66K, the firewall grommet on the column can be stubborn not to allow the column tube to easily move up or down.

[socalgt]

The shaft the wheel bolts to is one piece coming out of the box in the engine compartment.  It won't move for love nor money.
The column slides over the shaft and can move up and down the shaft.

I think I understand it now....thanks