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duginabug Samba Member

Joined: June 06, 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Washington State
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:16 pm Post subject: 1960-61 horn assembly hell made simple. |
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So…you removed your steering wheel and took it apart for whatever reason, and now you find yourself looking at this and scratching your head…
Well, I did the same thing, and I could not find ALL the information I needed by searching the forums. What i did find, however,
was that several others, at one time or another, had the same questions I did, but were not finding the help they needed,
so I thought I'd try to shed some light on the subject of the 60-61 horn issue.
First off, let me say that this is NOT a difficult system. A tad bit over engineered...yes. But by no means is it rocket science.
This is what I did, and my horn works perfectly. I hope that the following step-by-step series of photos will be helpful to someone.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: When installing the steering wheel, slide it onto the shaft until the splines engage, then, BEFORE pushing it all the way down, rotate the wheel 90 degrees either way, then push it on all the way. If you don't do this you will bend the tab on the canceling mechanism. How do I know this you ask? Well...some things in life we have to learn the hard way.
Make sure the brown wire that attaches to the end of the steering column tube, under the fuel tank, has a good, clean connection.
Here's a very basic explanation of how it all works, but first, please understand I'm not an electrician, and I couldn't tell you the difference between wattage, voltage, current and all that stuff, and I'm quite sure there's a better way to explain this so please bear with me and my simplicity.
The brass contact ring with the partial cutout sits on top of the contact spring, which sits in a collar (spring seat), which sits in the bearing that is pressed into the end of the steering column tube. This whole assembly is actually part of the electrical circuit and is isolated from the steering column by a black plastic sleeve. If this sleeve has a spot worn through to the metal, which they often do, your horn will beep intermittently as the steering wheel is turned. "ANNOYING"
Current flows through the steering column tube, the bearing, the spring seat, the contact spring, the contact ring and finally to the metal plate on the back of the steering wheel that has the three contact points...and that is where the circuit is broken...until you push your horn ring.
When you do, one of the three brass pins (depending which side of the ring you push) is pushed down, making contact with the corresponding contact point, thus completing the circuit through the steering wheel, down the steering column and across the jumper on the steering box which is grounded to the chassis.
Now, because the battery is grounded to the chassis as well, you get a complete circuit, and your horn should work.
Here is a quick drawing of it all. Rather crude, but hopefully you get the idea. Click on it to enlarge.
As you can see, in order for the electrical circuit for the horn to be completed, the current flow really has to run the gauntlet, and all it takes is one little something that's boogered up to make the system fail.
What's most important is all the little things intended to insulate "this from that" and the other thing.
ALL the plastic washers, the white plastic piece under the metal plate on the back of the wheel, the black insulating sleeve on the column etc, etc.
It all may seem a bit daunting if your unfamiliar with how it all works, but rest assured, it's not that bad.
Good luck. _________________ 1960 Sedan. L349 Jade Green.
Last edited by duginabug on Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:50 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Insaniac Samba Member

Joined: February 13, 2009 Posts: 594 Location: Nor/So Cal
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Posted: Mon Jul 27, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, this has been very informative! I was having problems with my signal switch rolling around, and I've always wondered what it's problem is. I took off the steering wheel once, but couldn't find the problem. Now looking at your pictures, I realize that one of the PO installed the steering wheel wrong, and it has been wrong ever since!
I'm guess after I fix this, I won't have to manually turn off the signals after every turn as well.
thank you for this! |
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duginabug Samba Member

Joined: June 06, 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Washington State
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 4:16 pm Post subject: |
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Insaniac wrote: |
Thank you, this has been very informative! |
You're most welcome. Hope it helps you solve the problem. _________________ 1960 Sedan. L349 Jade Green. |
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EODinert Samba Member

Joined: April 11, 2003 Posts: 464 Location: PHX, AZ
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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You are the man! Thanks for the great write up. _________________ '61 rag top beetle, '73 type 181, '66 13 window deluxe |
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zabo Samba Member

Joined: May 24, 2005 Posts: 1196 Location: ATL
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:27 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks!- is next on my list _________________ 1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame |
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59eurobug Samba Member

Joined: March 30, 2009 Posts: 316 Location: TX
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Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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I vote to make this a sticky. Great job. _________________ May '58 Deluxe Beetle
March '59 Euro Beetle
May '99 Passat 1.8T
DRK |
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zabo Samba Member

Joined: May 24, 2005 Posts: 1196 Location: ATL
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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:00 am Post subject: |
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Im also looking for confirmation on the horn ring part #
The one i have is 113 951 531C- I think thats correct but it looks like someone may have drilled a hole at some time to make it work on later models.
What exactly are the differences in the horn rings?
I also have this piece that i didnt see in your instructions -
this used for the 60? or is that a later part?
thanks again! _________________ 1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame
Last edited by zabo on Sat Aug 01, 2009 5:49 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 25475 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 7:44 am Post subject: |
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zabo wrote: |
I also have this piece that i didnt see in your instructions -
this used for the 60? or is that a later part? |
1962 and later _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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toyvergnugen Samba Member
Joined: July 16, 2002 Posts: 1010
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Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:15 pm Post subject: |
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That is one of the best tutorials ever. I had a 61` and the horn problem drove me nuts. |
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veedubs61 Samba Member

Joined: September 19, 2007 Posts: 106 Location: All over! (military)
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 3:13 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent thread!!!!!!!!!! helped me out a lot
all those in favor of making this a sticky say "beep beep" lol  _________________ Slow and Low
"use the search" does not answer my question |
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Asunder Samba Member

Joined: April 16, 2006 Posts: 612 Location: The other Orange County..N.Y. State
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject: |
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This should be a sticky, and wish there were more like it on other common maintenance subjects
Great job _________________ 1967 Type1 Zenith Blue |
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CUSHE63 Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2006 Posts: 525 Location: Fort Wayne In
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Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 7:44 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone have this same instructions for a 1959 ??? Please !!!
Or piont me in the right direction... I found out my 59 doesn't have all the parts I need towork properly.. I'm pretty sure I'm missing a spring that puts pressure on the shaft and wheel so it has tension on it..
Steve _________________ Mario is a hack at best. What a POS !!!
I was told recently by an a-hole on another site that bugs are just NAZI RELICS....WTF ??!! |
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duginabug Samba Member

Joined: June 06, 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Washington State
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Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 8:58 am Post subject: |
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CUSHE63 wrote: |
Anyone have this same instructions for a 1959 ??? Please !!!
Or piont me in the right direction... I found out my 59 doesn't have all the parts I need towork properly.. I'm pretty sure I'm missing a spring that puts pressure on the shaft and wheel so it has tension on it..
Steve |
Not sure this will be of much help to you. http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/wired/wired_12_00/wired_12_00.htm
It really doesn't go into detail about parts and pieces of the wheel assembly though.
You might be able to get some answers in the oval forum. _________________ 1960 Sedan. L349 Jade Green. |
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duginabug Samba Member

Joined: June 06, 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Washington State
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Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:23 am Post subject: |
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Important information added to this procedure. _________________ 1960 Sedan. L349 Jade Green. |
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laneven28 Samba Member

Joined: January 09, 2007 Posts: 314 Location: Cedar Hills, Utah
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 11:56 pm Post subject: |
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Fantastic thread. Thanks for taking the time to educate the vw community in such a detailed and clear manner.
Any tricks to removing/installing the spring loaded brass contact pins? I'm disassembling my '61 steering wheel now and don't want to jack them or the hub up. _________________ 1950 Pearl Grey Hoffman Standard Split Window
1954 Iceland Green Euro 3-Fold Oval
1955 Strato Silver Transitional 3-Fold Oval
1956 Iris Blue Convertible
1958 Pearl White Lowlight KG Convertible
1961 Turkis Ragtop |
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duginabug Samba Member

Joined: June 06, 2007 Posts: 481 Location: Washington State
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:33 am Post subject: |
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laneven28 wrote: |
Fantastic thread. Thanks for taking the time to educate the vw community in such a detailed and clear manner.
Any tricks to removing/installing the spring loaded brass contact pins? I'm disassembling my '61 steering wheel now and don't want to jack them or the hub up. |
Once you remove the horn ring they should just pull right out. _________________ 1960 Sedan. L349 Jade Green. |
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hsosa1 Samba Member

Joined: January 17, 2005 Posts: 1922 Location: Fontana
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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where can you buy the rubber bumbers shown in the above pic  _________________ Just Cruzin Sur Califas VW Car Club est♤1998 |
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glutamodo  The Android

Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26448 Location: Douglas, WY
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66bugtoy Samba Member

Joined: May 16, 2010 Posts: 127 Location: Spanaway WA
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 8:49 am Post subject: |
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59eurobug wrote: |
I vote to make this a sticky. Great job. |
Im with you on this one killer info and spot on great job man _________________ Remember no matter where you go, there you are. And when you get there be in a Dodge people are watching.
Why not take your time on a restoration. It's not like you cant take it with you when you go....... Right? |
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Boom Samba Member

Joined: September 29, 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Houston by God Texas
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