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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 11:43 AM
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Default 81 Horn Button

Can anyone tell me the trick to taking off the horn button.
Thanks Tim
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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 12:01 PM
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If it's like mine, it's hard. I just get my finger tips in the gap and pull really hard from one side. The retaining clip is directly in the center under the emblem. That's why I try to rock it loose. Good luck!!
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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 01:37 PM
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You want to reach under the horn button assembly with a small screwdriver to pry it up. You don't want to just grab the cap portion and pull up.

The horn button assembly actually consists of three parts: Cap #1, Emblem #2, and Retainer #3. They are shown on the following scan.

The retainer part of the horn button assembly snaps into the contact assembly #5 that is secured to the steering wheel hub by screws #4.

The cap has three small round, die cast studs that pass through the emblem and the retainer. The ends of the studs are spun over to hold all three parts together. The problem is that the spun over ends are not very robust. It is very easy to break them off. That is why you want to reach under and pry directly on the retainer not pull up on the cap.

Once the horn button assembly has been removed a lot of people add some JBWeld to the ends of the studs to make it a lot more secure.
Jim
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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 04:37 PM
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Ok Thanks everyone. So basically it just pulls off "with care"
Thanks Tim
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Old Jul 26, 2007 | 05:26 PM
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The best way to remove the horn button is to stick a small screwdriver under the cap so that you are prying directly between the retainer and the contact.

You can carefully pull on the cap if you want. Many times you will end up with three pieces.

Jim
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Old Nov 29, 2007 | 11:17 PM
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Hey Guy, I'm wondering might you also have a schematic showing the part that keeps the steering wheel from freely moving up and down on an 81 Vette? Thanks Bob J
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 01:06 AM
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Tim81, as everyone says, it just pulls off. the bad part is that you're almost certain to break any remaining plastic rivits that hold the contacts apart. this will make more sense once you have it off and are looking at it. now unfortunately, the only (real) option is to replace that dude or else the horn will honk at the slightest little bump. you could also "bubba" it with zip ties instead. just be aware.

bolinjones, there should be a ring with a knoby thing between the top spokes of the wheel. assuming that's there, you take off your horn button and in the middle of the wheel you should see a screw head that looks like a star of sorts. there shoud also be a screw tightened within one of the 'reliefs' of the star screw. this deal is what rotates with the knoby thing to lock and unlock the telescoping function. you can try relocating the screw on the star to provide a bit more tension to stop the slop.

hope that helps.
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 05:58 AM
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Originally Posted by bolinjones2002
Hey Guy, I'm wondering might you also have a schematic showing the part that keeps the steering wheel from freely moving up and down on an 81 Vette? Thanks Bob J
Mr. Shea has an incredible amount of GM steering information posted at www.corvettefaq.com.
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 08:02 AM
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bolinjones2002,
I am not sure of your question. Does this help? The 1969 through 1975parts are similar.

Jim
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Old Jan 13, 2008 | 03:29 AM
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Now that's what I'm talking about. Thanks a lot guy.
Bob J
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Old Jan 13, 2008 | 03:34 AM
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Thank you very much for your helpful feed back. Here's to Bubba.
Bob J
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Old Jan 13, 2008 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by bolinjones2002
Thank you very much for your helpful feed back. Here's to Bubba.
Bob J
Here's some pictures for reference also...

http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...eel%20removal/
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