So, I've been working on the steering column in my 1981 Corvette for the past little while, trying to get both the horn and T&T mechanism working. And it hasn't been working >.<

As far as I can tell, I've ordered and installed all the parts correctly. For the horn I have the following:

Lower Horn Assembly (spring and attached contact plunger)
Plastic Horn Contact Ring
Horn Contact Insulator (That turtle shaped thingy)
Shim
Upper Horn Assembly
Horn Button

Am I missing anything else in order to make the horn work? When I've assembled it all, I still can't get it to work... I feel no movement when I push on the horn button, it's just solid, static. Is the button supposed to push in?

As for the T&T, my problem is with the Telescoping specifically. The steering wheel extends and retracts, but does not lock. The parts I have for that are as follows:

The actual Telescoping Column, with the wedge piece at it's base
Locking rod that drops down inside
Star Screw
Locking Plate (The dealy that the Star Screw goes through)
Smaller screws for connecting Star Screw and Locking plate

I suspect that the wedge piece at the base of the column is gunked up, and not doing it's job properly. If there is another part I am missing, however, please let me know!

Sorry for the long long post, if you have any thoughts, it will be greatly appreciated!

 

From your description it sounds as if you have the steering column parts assembled correctly. But just in case, the following two pictures have all the parts in order. This first blowup picture shows all of the steering column parts that were supplied as part of the steering column as it was shipped from Saginaw to the car assembly plant(s).

From this T&T blowup you can see the Spring #5, the Horn Contact Carrier #4, the Lock Plate #3, the Retaining "C" Ring, and the plastic Retainer #1.



Now this picture from the AIM shows the parts that were assembled at the car assembly plant.

You mentioned the Lower Contact Asm #1 which should contain the Spring #2, the Eyelet #3,& the Insulator #4 in the horn tower. Now you assemble the Hub, Extension, Spacer, Lever, Shim(s), and last the Upr Contact Asm #7. There is a leg on the Upr Contact Asm that should always stay in contact with the Eyelet #3 that should be sticking up through the Hub.

The only thing that sounds like a problem is your statement about the Upr Contact Asm feeling static or solid. When you snap the horn button in place there should be a slight amount of motion in order for the contacts in the Upr Contact Asm to close completing the ground circuit to the relay. It would seem that your problem is in the Upr Contact Asm.

With respect to your telescope lock problem. You don't need all of the steering wheel and horn parts to try this. Just assemble the locking rod and the star screw into the upper steering shaft. You should be able to turn the screw in until it contacts the locking rod. Even with finger pressure you should be able to feel the system locking. Use a phillips screwdriver if you need to.

If the star screw bottoms out, possibly things are worn to the point where you need a longer rod. Possibly a small ball bearing inserted between the locking rod and the star screw might be sufficient to gain a little length.

I don't believe that the locking wedge inside the upper shaft can have "gunk" on it to the point that your tightening the screw would not overcome that kind of restriction.

Jim

 

Thanks for the help Jim, I got both bits working! You were exactly right with the locking mechanism... a small nut dropped down on top of the locking rod solved the problem. As for the horn... it was a simple matter of a missing relay (D'oh!)

I have a couple more questions however, if anyone can help me out. Then I can finally get this baby registered and on the road!

Question #1: What do I use to attach the Lower Horn Asm. to the steering hub? There are definitely holes there to connect them, but the holes aren't threaded as far as I can tell...

Question #2: How exactly do the vacuum lights work? As far as I can see, I only have one **** that has anything to do with the lights. It will pull out and push in, and it turns, snapping into what I assume is the "off" position at the far left. The vacuum pumps are functional and hold a seal, and the lights go on and off... I just can't seem to get them to work in conjunction with eachother. Specifically, how do I get the lights to lift up?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

Are the head lights going up and down ?? If they are just not at the same exact time that is normal.If they are not going up but the lights are turning on it is a vacume problem. if you go to our sponsor list on the left look up volunteer vette part for $8 they have a vacume trouble shooting book

 

Sorry, I probably should have been a little more specific. The lights come on, but don't come up. When I try to push them up with my hands, they are held down by the vacuum seal. I've also done the reverse, where I push the lights up, and the vacuum will hold them up. I can't get them to go up automatically, however.

 

If the hub was used previously those holes must have threads. Unless you have a brand new, defective hub, those three holes in the hub should already have threads. Those are not self tapping screws that hold the horn contact in place.

Jim

 

Okay a vacume trouble shooting book will help you. However you can start by checking your lines for dry rot and or colaped hoses . On the dr.side under the hood there is a small diapham inbetween the valve cover and your hood latch area I would start there and work my way down to the headlight. 90% of the time it is a vacume line

 

Ok, lights are working! I jumped under the dash to take a look, and low and behold, one of the tubes had popped off. I simply slipped it back on and I was in business. Thanks for the advice!

As far as the horn, everything is assembled together, but I seem to have a ground somewhere in the circuit. I suspect it might be from the lower horn asm coming in contact with the steering hub. Does anybody know if JB Weld conducts electricity? I'm contemplating painting a little JB over the clips on the upper end of the LHA in order to insulate them.

 

The horn lead works on a 12v- aka ground the power switches at the relay

 

Ok, I think I found the short in the circuit, but my 30 year old horn finally died on me I guess. I'm hoping a quick trip down to the local NAPA for a new low note will solve all my horn woes.

Turns out I did have a brand new, defective hub. Those holes on the bottom of the hub simply were not threaded. To solve this I bought some nylon machined screws and pounded them down in like a nail. They are holding real well and should be easy enough to drill out if it becomes necessary.

Thanks again for all the help!