I need help installing a horn rod

Gwill65074

Gwill65074

Senior Member
I recently bought a horn rod to install in my 1930 CC Pickup that has never had a rod in it as long as i have had it. I lowered to steering column to get room to install the rod but I can only get it to insert about 1 1/2" before it seems to hit something and doesn't want to go any further. Looking in the tube I see a small button at about the 10 o'clock position but no other obstructions. I've tried rotating the horn rod 360* and retrying with no luck. I'm afraid of trying to force it into the tube and ruining it. Anyone here with horn rod experience? I really need help. Glen
 
I just ran into the same problem and what I call a dirt dobber had filled the tube, find a steel rod long enough to reach and try to clean it out ,also people beat on end of shaft and brad where it start in and then you have to use a round file to open it up, there should not be anything inside of steering shaft unless someone has modified it
 
Thanks, got it done. Now I need to reorder the spider. The one I got won't go on the rod unless I use an impact on it. I'll mail it back to Steve and Bert's and he'll make it right.
 
The aftermarket parts for the bottom of the horn rod have to be fitted before you can assemble the spider and the the little horseshoe clip. File out the spider until it fits. Then file the grove were the clip fits so it seats nicely. then file the outside of the clip to fit the opening in the spider so it will hold the clip in place. I have learn't to do this before I assemble the horm rod. You also find that the aftermarket rod is bigger than the original. I've also filed down the outside of the rod to make them fit. Remember Aftermarket parts stand for "Almost Fit" parts. No need to send the parts back the replacements will be the same. Always a toss of the dice.
 
You might consider buying a cheap rifle cleaning kit that has several brass brush ends of various sizes that screw into the bottom. Most the the gun cleaning kits have a piece that hold cotton "patches" that will oil the inside of the barrel after it is cleaned, or in your case the inside of the steering column. Using that and some light weight oil should do the trick.
Rusty Nelson
 
you say, it never had a horn rod in there. the wood-drift key is special it had a flat spot on the bottom if someone put the wrong in there it will push the bottom of the groove down into the born. if this is the case run a 3/8" drill bit down the shaft, it will open it back up.
 
To make it easier to assemble the bottom of the horn rod, bind up the spring with twine. Compress the spring in a vice to add the twine. Add it in 4 places around the spring. After assembly cut the twine with a knife and pull it out with pliers.
 

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I used a trick someone had posted on here previously. I put a wooden 12 inch rule over the horn button and under the steering wheel rim to prevent it from coming out while I compressed the spring; that may have been a yard stick.
 
Thanks for the "twine tip" on the horn rod spring compression Neil...I have this exact task to perform in the coming days and this tip from you will save me loads of time!
 
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