Topic: How do you get to the horn contacts inside the steering wheel?

[mjos]

I want to clean and lube the horn buttons and the contact ring on the steering wheel.  How do I get to them?

1980 Truck.  Stock 3spoke steering wheel.

[myyota]

You will need to remove the steering wheel to do it.

[CTENG in KS]

I think that front cover in the center pulls off...but I seem to remember it taking a bit of effort.

[cheap sunglasses]

I have a 2 spoke wheel in my 82 but the cover is held on by 2 screws on the back. Maybe check that.

[79coyotefrg]

never seen a 3 spoke wheel     but  my 2 spoke has the screws on the back side to get to the horn contacts,  then  pull the wheel off to get to the ring

[Marlin]

Remove the horn button.

Unbolt the 19mm nut.

Using a sharp scribe, mark the wheel so it can be reinstalled in the same location.

Using a large center punch and a hammer, get both of your knees against the back of the steering wheel so as to push against the back of the wheel on the left and right side.
With a good smack, the wheel should pop right off.
The horn ring and contact pin will be accesable and can be greased.

The contact pin kit is avaiable from the dealer, however, the contact ring on the rear of the steering wheel can be extended to gain additional service by removing the three retainer screws and spacing the ring away from the steering wheel. This will in turn preload the contact pin and the horn will once again work.

[KYOTA]

never seen a 3 spoke wheel     but  my 2 spoke has the screws on the back side to get to the horn contacts,  then  pull the wheel off to get to the ring

Come on Glen, SR5

[mjos [OP]]

Remove the horn button.

Unbolt the 19mm nut.

Using a sharp scribe, mark the wheel so it can be reinstalled in the same location.

Using a large center punch and a hammer, get both of your knees against the back of the steering wheel so as to push against the back of the wheel on the left and right side.
With a good smack, the wheel should pop right off.
The horn ring and contact pin will be accesable and can be greased.

The contact pin kit is avaiable from the dealer, however, the contact ring on the rear of the steering wheel can be extended to gain additional service by removing the three retainer screws and spacing the ring away from the steering wheel. This will in turn preload the contact pin and the horn will once again work.

Thanks Marlin.  My steering wheel looks like the one above.  Was it and the Tach only part of the SR5 package in 1980?

[Marlin]

Yes, I beleive that the tach and 3 spoke wheel were part of the "SR5" package.

However, in the early years, 79 to 80, I have seen loaded SR5 trucks including stripes on the doors but missing a/c.

It appears that the SR5 had not yet developed into a complete package.

My 80 hilux long bed had only p/s, and a/c.
I added the wood grain dash, 3 spoke wheel with tilt, tach dash, oil and voltage guages, and bucket seats.

[KYOTA]

I was recently looking at an 82 SR5 for sale, it had bucket seats, PS AC wing windows SR5 stripes but no tach. My old 79 2wd SR5 from high school was the same way, all the SR5 stuff but no tach. I think Toyota had "chefs surprise" on Fridays where they'd throw a truck together with whatever they had left over for the week 

[mjos [OP]]

Got it

Remove the horn button.

Unbolt the 19mm nut.

Using a sharp scribe, mark the wheel so it can be reinstalled in the same location.

Using a large center punch and a hammer, get both of your knees against the back of the steering wheel so as to push against the back of the wheel on the left and right side.
With a good smack, the wheel should pop right off.
The horn ring and contact pin will be accesable and can be greased.

The contact pin kit is avaiable from the dealer, however, the contact ring on the rear of the steering wheel can be extended to gain additional service by removing the three retainer screws and spacing the ring away from the steering wheel. This will in turn preload the contact pin and the horn will once again work.

Got it working again.  Spaced out the ring with washers and cleaned and lubed the contacts.  All is well now.  Thanks again!

[cheap sunglasses]

I gotta try spacing my contact ring out, my horn dont work no more.

BTW Kyota that avatar is classic 

[turtle jim]

You can also slip an empty .22 short cartridge over the spring loaded contact pin.

[cheap sunglasses]

Hmm fresh out of those..
although there is a 22 in my dads closet