49 Merc steering wheel - what did I do wrong?

[Joeyv]

I’m having a problem putting the steering wheel back on my 49 Mercury. The steering wheel has been off for a while. I did some unrelated work on the steering column. Now that I putting it back on, I must have parts in the wrong place because I’m unable to tighten the steering wheel down as far as it needs to go. The threads on the steering column barely clears the nut that holds the steering wheel down, and there’s a gap between the steering wheel and the gearshift housing. When assembled as shown in the pictures I have included, the horn does not work because there’s no contact between the horn ring and the horn contact because of the gap. Can anyone identify what I have assembled incorrectly, or show me a picture of how it should be assembled? I’ve looked in the documentation I have and it doesn’t get down to the detail of the horn ring assembly and spring fits on the steering wheel. The steering wheel fit fine and the horn worked perfectly before I took it off. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Joeyv]

The pictures

 

[mercman from oz]

 

[TJ]

There is a spring on the shaft. You need to push down on the wheel to compress the spring to get the nut started.

 

[69a]

Try to assemble it without the spring. The key looks like it is sitting too high on the top end.
Remove the spring and the key. Sit the wheel on, make sure both surfaces are not damaged.
Put the nut on hand tight, notice how far you can get the nut on, then fit the key, making sure it is sitting parallel with the taper, you should be able to get it down to the same level as without the key.
Then fit the spring and check again.
A pair of side cutting pliers should make it easy t remove the key, but file off any damage before you replace it.

 

[Joeyv]

TJ, thanks for the reply. There is a spring on the shaft is located behind the key. With the slot in the steering wheel lined up with the key, I’m able to tighten the nut on the steering wheel only to the point where the gaps still remains between the steering wheel and the shift hub. I’m tightening the nut on the steering wheel down using a breaker bar. When I have it tightened to the point where it can no longer be tightened, the gap remains. I’m thinking that the larger spring and the horn ring are installed incorrectly, but I don’t know. Do you see anything incorrect in the photos? Thanks

 

[Joeyv]

69A - thanks for that suggestion. Sounds like a good plan. I won’t be back to the shop until Monday. I’ll let you know how it goes. Thanks!

 

[deuce5wndw]

You said you did work on the steering column so has the mast slipped down some? Maybe loosen the mast at the dash and steering gear and pull it up.

 

[rotorwrench]

I agree on the mast jacket. It's all related on how it fits on the steering gear, position of the shift tube & arms, and attachment to the dash. I'm more used to the later 1950/51 type dash so I know exactly how it all fits on those models. The 1949 is a bit different but is very similar.

 

[Joeyv]

Thanks Rotorwrench. I haven’t been able to make it to the shop to check on suggested remedies. You know how life sometimes interferes. I appreciate your input. I’ll post when I get to the shop to work on the problem again. Thanks

 

[Joeyv]

Thank you all for the suggestions and help. 69a I tested as you suggested, and still had the problem. Next, I tried to suggestion of Deuce5wndw and rotorwrench. I pulled up the mast jacket a bit and that fixed it. The light on the steering column doesn’t tighten to the extent that threads are even with the top of the nut; they’re just below. I expect that satisfactory.
I appreciate the suggestions and help getting me through this simple but frustrating problem. Thanks!