The Jalopy Journal

**dmw56** · 08-10-2010, 05:17 PM

I have a 1948 Ford steering wheel that needs restored. My question is how do I remove the horn ring without breaking it. I've twisted it both ways, pushed down on it twisted but no luck. Can anybody reveal the secret!

Thanks!

Billet · 08-10-2010, 05:43 PM

dmw56,
I looked up the wheel on the web and it "appears" to be about the same as the steering wheel on my 46 ford. I remove my horn ring by depressing the center and turning it counter- clockwise. I press the horn ring with the palms of my hands and push the ring with my thumbs- No tools but it's tight. Good luck-

**dmw56** · 08-10-2010, 05:45 PM

^ Thanks, I'll give it another try!

Fred A · 08-10-2010, 07:09 PM

Changed the horn wire on my '47 this spring. I had no doubt how to twist it off but it took so much force, it really seemed that the ring was going to break just as it turned to release. I got a new horn button cushion(11A-3672) and put it in with a thin coat of silicone grease. Replacement horn wires are about a foot too long and should be cut to the right length before install. Good Luck: Fred A

LesIsMore · 08-10-2010, 07:33 PM

thats about it, push, turn, pray you don't break it. all are tough.

21tat · 08-10-2010, 07:50 PM

It's a push and turn on my '49. Should be similar, right?

**Bruce Lancaster** · 08-11-2010, 11:07 AM

The super-tightness is increased by the rubber ring, which is always totally fried and stuck to wheel and button.
Get an assistant to hold the thing down by pushing down at middle...this will be a huge help. Make sure assistant knows it MUST be down straight, not tilted.
Then apply force at roots of the horn ring struts...don't be tempted to move outward for leverage. You can do this a LOT better if you don't have to holditdownyourself.
Getting it off second time will be a lot easier...
I would "butter" both sides of new rubber ring with light grease.

hillbilly4008 · 08-11-2010, 11:18 AM

Now what you wanna do is take a screwdriver and pry up till you hear a click, or possibly a snap. Then just pop it out.

I agree with the other guy though, that rubber probably melted the horn to the wheel because it gets so damn hot where you are.

Sorry to say i just got rid of a '48 Ford steering wheel in pristeen condition, i with i knew you were looking for one I would've given it to you...

**dmw56** · 08-11-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hillbilly4008

Sorry to say i just got rid of a '48 Ford steering wheel in pristeen condition, i with i knew you were looking for one I would've given it to you...

Now you tell me!!

hillbilly4008 · 08-11-2010, 02:10 PM

ya never call, ya never write.... you should've asked

18,000 miles on the truck

**dmw56** · 08-11-2010, 05:20 PM

Got it off without breaking it! Thanks everybody.

Hillbilly, keep racking up those miles!

08-10-2010, 05:17 PM	#1
dmw56 Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Edgewood, New Mexico Posts: 730	48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? I have a 1948 Ford steering wheel that needs restored. My question is how do I remove the horn ring without breaking it. I've twisted it both ways, pushed down on it twisted but no luck. Can anybody reveal the secret! Thanks! __________________ Livin' on Route 66

08-10-2010, 05:43 PM	#2
Billet Alliance Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New River,Az Posts: 274	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? dmw56, I looked up the wheel on the web and it "appears" to be about the same as the steering wheel on my 46 ford. I remove my horn ring by depressing the center and turning it counter- clockwise. I press the horn ring with the palms of my hands and push the ring with my thumbs- No tools but it's tight. Good luck- __________________ He doesn't understand everything he knows about it-Zeke

08-10-2010, 05:45 PM	#3
dmw56 Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Edgewood, New Mexico Posts: 730	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? ^ Thanks, I'll give it another try! __________________ Livin' on Route 66

08-10-2010, 07:09 PM	#4
Fred A Grenade Inspector Join Date: May 2005 Location: Encino CA Posts: 107	A Tough One! Changed the horn wire on my '47 this spring. I had no doubt how to twist it off but it took so much force, it really seemed that the ring was going to break just as it turned to release. I got a new horn button cushion(11A-3672) and put it in with a thin coat of silicone grease. Replacement horn wires are about a foot too long and should be cut to the right length before install. Good Luck: Fred A

08-10-2010, 07:33 PM	#5
LesIsMore Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 339	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? thats about it, push, turn, pray you don't break it. all are tough. __________________ Design is genius in its purest form. 27 T Modified 28 Ford Model A 52 Buick Special

08-10-2010, 07:50 PM	#6
21tat Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV. Posts: 831	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? It's a push and turn on my '49. Should be similar, right? __________________ http://www.studio21tattoo.com

08-11-2010, 11:07 AM	#7
Bruce Lancaster Alliance Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Madison NJ USA Posts: 18,294	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? The super-tightness is increased by the rubber ring, which is always totally fried and stuck to wheel and button. Get an assistant to hold the thing down by pushing down at middle...this will be a huge help. Make sure assistant knows it MUST be down straight, not tilted. Then apply force at roots of the horn ring struts...don't be tempted to move outward for leverage. You can do this a LOT better if you don't have to holditdownyourself. Getting it off second time will be a lot easier... I would "butter" both sides of new rubber ring with light grease. __________________ Bruce

08-11-2010, 11:18 AM	#8
hillbilly4008 Old School HAMBer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rome NY Posts: 2,568	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? Now what you wanna do is take a screwdriver and pry up till you hear a click, or possibly a snap. Then just pop it out. I agree with the other guy though, that rubber probably melted the horn to the wheel because it gets so damn hot where you are. Sorry to say i just got rid of a '48 Ford steering wheel in pristeen condition, i with i knew you were looking for one I would've given it to you... __________________ Slowly becoming a " hardcore anal traditionalist"

08-11-2010, 02:10 PM	#10
hillbilly4008 Old School HAMBer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Rome NY Posts: 2,568	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? ya never call, ya never write.... you should've asked 18,000 miles on the truck __________________ Slowly becoming a " hardcore anal traditionalist"

08-11-2010, 05:20 PM	#11
dmw56 Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Edgewood, New Mexico Posts: 730	Re: 48 Ford Horn Ring Removal? Got it off without breaking it! Thanks everybody. Hillbilly, keep racking up those miles! __________________ Livin' on Route 66

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