How to install a 58 and a 59 Ghia horn ring

[Loren]

Last week I got an email from Dustin wanting to know how to get the horn working on his 58 Ghia. Specifically, he wanted to know how to install the horn ring correctly. This led me to search the Ghia forum searching for information and the only reference to installing a horn ring that I could find was stuck in a thread about Mike's Nevada lowlight http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4175744#4175744

After some research and digging through my part bins I decided to make a dedicated post on how to assemble a 58 and a 59 Ghia horn ring. I stole some pics from the Mike's Nevada lowlight thread. If this is a problem let me know and I will remove them.

First off there are different set ups for a 58 and a 59 Ghia horn ring. There is a slight difference between the steering wheels, the 59 steering wheel has an extra indent in the hub to allow for the different brass ring.

This is the hub from a 58 Ghia steering wheel.

Here is the hub from a 59 Ghia steering wheel. Notice the indent at 5 o'clock.

You can use a 58 horn ring on either a 58 or 59 steering wheel, but if you want to use a 59 horn ring on a 58 wheel you will need to add the extra indent.

Here are the parts and set up for a 58 horn ring

When you put in the brass contact ring be sure the hub is bare metal. Often the hub is painted on a restored wheel and this paint has to be removed for the horn to work.

58 horn ring with the screw bosses to attach the metal cover. Also notice the screw in the lower right for the ground wire from the steering column

Metal horn ring cover with metal horn badge. This is an OG paint cover, though the lighting wasn't very good to capture the right color.

Back side of the OG paint 58 horn ring cover.

Here is the set up for the 59 Ghia horn ring

I am missing one of the screws and the plastic spacers are broken and in poor shape.

Close up shot of the brass ring for the 59 steering wheel. Notice the ground wire from the steering column is attached to the terminal on this ring.

This is the top side of the plastic grounding ring that fits into the hub of the steering wheel.

This is the back side of the plastic ring.

Here is the plastic ring in place

Here is how it all goes together. There is one screw missing, but you get the idea. Be sure the depressions where the springs sit are down to bare metal. The springs ground the horn ring, so when you depress it against the brass ring you complete the circuit and operate the horn.

Here is the 59 horn ring

Here is a close up of one of the plastic pieces that holds the plastic cover on the 59 horn ring.

Here is a close up of the plastic pin. Looks like it is a piece of ribbed plastic that is screwed into the mounting holes in the horn ring.

Here are some images of the plastic 59 cover. I stole these pics from the classifieds

On the back of the steering wheel there should be a plastic bushing. I believe this bushing is from a 59 wheel and I imagine it is the same for a 58 wheel

Here is the bearing installed.

The lip on the back of the horn rings are different. The 58 horn ring has a deeper lip than the 59 ring.

Here is a copy of the horn ring and parts form a 58 Ghia parts book showing the set up for the 58 horn ring.

5. 141 951 529 Ornamental cover - horn ring from body No. 22 922
6. N 14 253 1 - Screw, countersunk raised head, AM 3.5X8 DIN 7988
7. 141 951 537 Emblem - steering wheel from body No. 22 922
8. N 12 052 1 - clamping plate 3
9. 141 951 551 Horn ring from body No. 22 922
10. N 10 805 1 - Screw, fillister head, AM 3.5X5 DIN 85
11. 141 951 553 Spring cup from body No. 22 922
12. 141 951 555 Spring from body No. 22 922
13. 141 951 561 Insulating sleeve from body No. 22 922
14. N 10 806 1 - Screw, fillister head, CM 3.5X18 DIN 85
15. N 12 224 1 - Spring washer B 4 DIN 137
16. 141 951 563 Contact ring from body No. 22 922

Here is a copy of the 59 horn ring from a 70 Ghia parts book.

7. 141 951 529 A Ornamental cover - horn ring from chassis No. 2008855 up to 2528667
8. N 12 052 1 - Clamping plate 3
9. N 14 253 1 - Screw, countersunk raised head AM 3.5X8
15. 141 951 551 A Horn ring from Chassis No. 1649253 up to 2528667,
141 951 552 Spring cup from chassis No. 1649253 up to 2008854
17. 111 951 555 Spring - contact washer from chassis No. 1649253 up to 2528667
18. 141 951 557 Contact ring from chassis No. 1649253 up to 2528667
21. N 10 695 1 - Screw, cheese head AM 4X6 up to chasis No. 1413200000
22. N 10 806 1 - Screw, fillister head AM 3.5X18 from chassis No. 1649253 up to 2528667
23. N 12 224 1 - Spring washer B 4 from chassis No. 1649253 up to 2528667
25. 141 951 571 Insulating plate, contact ring from chassis No. 1649253 up to 2528667

[Loren]

I know John Copello used to make a rebuild kit for the 58 horn ring (his kit included the plastic insulators, screws and springs), other than that I don't know of any other reproduction part suppliers for horn parts. If there is enough interest I could look into making a 58 and a 59 rebuild kit, complete with brass ring and plastic insulators, etc.

[retrowagen]

Brilliant work, Loren... are you sure your last name isn't Bentley?
_________________
David Ruby
President, Karmann-Ghia World Club

[JeffL]

Excellent post, makes we want to pick up a nice 58 or 59!

[52brezelfenster]

Thanks again Loren for putting this together

I'm happy to report back that I followed the how-to step by step, my 58 steering wheel is back together, tested today, working great & as new.

And I have a 59 wheel resto coming up soon, will be using these instructions again in the near future.

[john morris]

Nice Post! I was able to order a kit from Mike at House of Ghia that included the three screws and various plastic bits. I will need a correct brass ring for a 58 eventually.

edit: the kit also included the springs!

[sputnick60]

Hey John Moxon, Is this thread a candidate for the "Follow the best "How to" threads here" Sticky?

I think many would agree that it is....

Nicholas

Mod edit: Done
_________________
'66 Karmann Ghia Cabriolet...
'65 Porsche 356C Coupe...
2005 Mecedes Benz C180 Kompressor Estate
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[pbaptist]

Hi Loren,

Thank you for making such a nice and complete overview of the two different steering wheels.

Regards
Patrick
_________________
Dutch Karmann-Ghia and coachbuild lover.
1* Karmann Ghia Coupe (1966 Teak)
2* Karmann Ghia Convertible (1958, 1971)
4* Rometsch Lawrence (nr 534, 555, 558 and 561)

Karmann-Ghia Lowlight page and registry
Karmann-Ghia Collectibles database

[KG1965]

Hi, thanks for the overview. Really helped me to identify the wheel I'm currently restoring.

[pierre.v]

Very cool Lauren !!

Can you tell me where can i order a rebuild kit for my 59 horn ring ?

Thanks: Pierre.

Aubusson
France
_________________
LowLight 58
ragtop Oldspeed 58
SO34 61

[Loren]

As of yet there isn't a complete rebuild kit for low light steering wheels. The closest kit there is should be available throgh Mike at House of Ghia. John Copello made these kits from OG parts I sent him a few years back. The kit Mike sells is really for a 58 steering wheel and only consists of 3 plastic insulators, 3 screws, 3 springs and 3 plastic insulator caps. As of yet I don't think there is enough demand to warrent making complete kits. If any one really needs any parts I can see if John would be willing to make a few kits using the OG parts I have as templates, though it won't be cheap if he is only making a few kits. The 59 kit would be much cheaper since it doesn't use the plastic insulator disk (which would take a lot of time to make).

[pierre.v]

I send mail to Mike (House of ghia).
I'm waiting his answer...

Lauren, can you see to John capello ?

Thanks: Pierre
_________________
LowLight 58
ragtop Oldspeed 58
SO34 61

[Loren]

I recently received a request for a brass ring and plastic grounding ring for a 59 Ghia steering wheel. I don't have any extra parts, but I decided to look into using my parts as paterns and having them made. I just sent a brass ring from a 58 and a 59 Ghia to get a quote on having them laser cut and I am looking into making the plastic gounding ring myself. If any one is interested in any of these parts let me know and I will keep you posted on my progress. I should have anothger update in January.

[Shawn]

This is really good stuff! I've been looking for a detailed breakdown for months! Too bad the horn rings and buttons are extremely scarce....

[pbaptist]

Loren, did you already got a prize quote?
I have three 1959 reproduction brass rings left (out of a small serie)

Prize is €20 each

Let me know if someone is interested

_________________
Dutch Karmann-Ghia and coachbuild lover.
1* Karmann Ghia Coupe (1966 Teak)
2* Karmann Ghia Convertible (1958, 1971)
4* Rometsch Lawrence (nr 534, 555, 558 and 561)

Karmann-Ghia Lowlight page and registry
Karmann-Ghia Collectibles database

[Loren]

I should have a price quote on the parts in the next month or so. Unfortunately, the 58 and 59 brass rings are slightly different (I believe the large holes in the 59 ring are a little larger than the large holes on the 58 ring) so I will have to have two have both types made. The 59 ring will also require the screw terminal. I am also looking into making the plastic insulator ring for the 59 steering wheel. I should have a prototype made in the next few months. If all goes as planned I should have complete kits (the kits will include: springs, screws, washers, screw insulators, brass ring and plastic insulator ring, for the 59 set up) available by the end of the summer, if not sooner. I will also sell parts separately.

[Shawn]

Loren, I will definitely be interested in purchasing one of your kits!

[Shaggir]

I am trying to rebuild the horn ring on my 58' (3 plastic insulators, 3 screws, 3 springs and 3 plastic insulator caps) I emailed Mike @ House of Ghia but Chris came back to say they don't have them.

Any other source for the parts as a kit or individual parts?
_________________
Project X - 63' Bug
Project Y - 63' Vert
Project Z - 63' Bug

[Loren]

If you want I can track down screws and springs (finding the closest available ones at the local fastener store) and I can send John Copello a set of OG caps and insulators so he can turn out another run. I am still waiting to hear back from the laser cutter on the brass rings and the plastic 59 insulator rings. Let me know how soon you need the parts and I will see what I can do to speed things up.

[Shaggir]

sweet, I have the screws just really need the 3 plastic insulators, 3 springs and 3 plastic insulator caps. I can take two sets if that helps.

No horn on the car at the moment so soonest would be good
_________________
Project X - 63' Bug
Project Y - 63' Vert
Project Z - 63' Bug