1960-61 horn assembly hell made simple.

[duginabug]

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.
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1960 Sedan. L349 Jade Green.

[Insaniac]

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!

[duginabug]

[EODinert]

You are the man! Thanks for the great write up.
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'61 rag top beetle, '73 type 181, '66 13 window deluxe

[zabo]

Thanks!- is next on my list
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1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame

[59eurobug]

I vote to make this a sticky. Great job.
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May '58 Deluxe Beetle
March '59 Euro Beetle
May '99 Passat 1.8T

DRK

[zabo]

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!
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1960 6 volt sedan- 1978 adventurewagen
–wanted bill spreen atlanta dealer tag frame

[Eric&Barb]

[toyvergnugen]

That is one of the best tutorials ever. I had a 61` and the horn problem drove me nuts.

[veedubs61]

Excellent thread!!!!!!!!!! helped me out a lot
all those in favor of making this a sticky say "beep beep" lol
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Slow and Low

"use the search" does not answer my question

[Asunder]

This should be a sticky, and wish there were more like it on other common maintenance subjects

Great job
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1967 Type1 Zenith Blue

[CUSHE63]

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
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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 ??!!

[duginabug]

[duginabug]

Important information added to this procedure.
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1960 Sedan. L349 Jade Green.

[laneven28]

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.
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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

[duginabug]

[hsosa1]

where can you buy the rubber bumbers shown in the above pic
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Just Cruzin Sur Califas VW Car Club est♤1998

[glutamodo]

You mean these?

I've always got them out of parts cars. I believe it's also the same rubber bumper as this:

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsList.cfm?ID=211881895

You probably could get something similar at a well-stocked hardware store too.

-Andy

[66bugtoy]

[Boom]

this is awesome
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Ovals are Overrated.....Click to view image

67 Chubby White Chic

Düg Büg

dLk