Horn button removal 40 Special

E

Ercell

Member
I haven't removed my horn in years on my 40 special, Model 60. I can't remember how. I don't want to break it since it is in awesome shape. Can someone please help. I know it's easy but just don't want to start prying it out. Horn keeps honking. Plenty of posts to help me with that part of it. Thanks
 
Welcome
I am confused. Do you have a Series 40, Special, or a Series 60, century? Will make a difference in parts for the transmission in your other thread.

Almost any glass shop can cut the side glass for your car as all of it is flat.

Ben
 
Yep. 46s is Mod # . Special 2 door.

I did the transmission on my 50 last year. First for me. If I could do it , you can. Good luck.

Ben
 
OK just in case someone is wondering, probably not but, there are three screws on the back of the steering column, front actually. Took them out and the entire horn assembly came right out. I can't seem to get it to quit honking but I'm confident I'll get it. It's always done this. If you breathe on it too hard it starts honking, sometimes won't quit, usually at the most inopportune time.
 
Ercell said:
OK just in case someone is wondering, probably not but, there are three screws on the back of the steering column, front actually. Took them out and the entire horn assembly came right out. I can't seem to get it to quit honking but I'm confident I'll get it. It's always done this. If you breathe on it too hard it starts honking, sometimes won't quit, usually at the most inopportune time.
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Buick horns are honked by GROUNDING the circuit. Somewhere in your steering column there is a bare spot on the wire that you see now that the assembly is off. This wire exits the steering column just before the steering box underneath the hood. Unhook that wire.

Ben
 
Thanks for the reply Ben. In this case it's in the horn mechanism itself. the brass "plate" for lack of a better word, is too close to the steering sector ring. So you just barely touch it and it honks. You can even pull on the steering wheel and it will honk. The wire going through the steering sector is fine. I know that this is normally the problem and if this was it I could fix it. But with the horn honking by barely touching it there isn't too many options for me. No adjustment mechanism. There are some small bumps on the steering ring that I might grind off with a dremel. Maybe this will work.
 
Thanks Ben! But I fixed it with some electrical tape. The button plate was grounding out on the spring which was broken. I just put electrical tape where it was touching and it fixed it. I need a new spring. Anyway thanks
 
Ercell said:
Thanks Ben! But I fixed it with some electrical tape. The button plate was grounding out on the spring which was broken. I just put electrical tape where it was touching and it fixed it. I need a new spring. Anyway thanks
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There is also a foam rubber washer in the assembly, I think Bob's stocks it. It was 2014 or earlier that I had my wheel redone so I don't recall the order of assembly or what it does.
 
Yes I saw that foam rubber type washer. Mine is there, not in great shape but it's there and it's nice to know where I can find one if I need it. What I really need though is a spring. Then my horn would be right.
 
Ercell said:
Yes I saw that foam rubber type washer. Mine is there, not in great shape but it's there and it's nice to know where I can find one if I need it. What I really need though is a spring. Then my horn would be right.
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I think that washer acts as a spring. I don't have my shop manual, I left it in the car when I sent it for an engine overhaul. It has been in the shop 15 months thanks to Covid.
 
No I'm pretty sure that the foam washer acts as an isolator so the spring doesn't transfer the electrical current that feeds the horn. I haven't been able to find a spring close enough in size to manipulate so I can fix my horn properly. There is a dome in the center of the wheel that contains the spring. I think it's suppose to be a cone shaped spring. The back end is about 2" in diameter and fits around a plate. I have this back part of the spring. It must have broken because the front of the spring (I think) fits around this dome and should be about 1" in diameter. I figure I can find one in a junk yard but would they sell it to me???
 
The spring is part no 1315101 and was used on all Buicks 1940-54 with the flexible steering wheel. There have been a couple on eBay in the last few months. With luck the guy may have more to sell:

www.ebay.com

1940-1954 BUICK HORN SPRING NOS 1315101- ONE [1] | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1940-1954 BUICK HORN SPRING NOS 1315101- ONE [1] at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com

Here is a similar post from March on the same subject:

www.teambuick.com

Help - 1940 Special horn assembly

Hello! I am working on installing the horn assembly in a 1940 Special. I do not understand the correct order to get the horn re-assembled. I have stacked together the wheel, horn ring, large spring, and brass contact plate held together with 3 tiny speed nuts. Every time I put this assembly...
www.teambuick.com www.teambuick.com
 
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Typically, there should be a small slot or indentation on the side of the horn button where you can insert a flathead screwdriver or a similar tool to gently pry it out.
 
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