Most DIYers Do This Simple Job Wrong

In this video, I show you how to remove a C3 Corvette steering wheel and install a different one (note: not applicable to 1976-on Corvettes with the corporate or "Vega" wheel).
I recently restored a steering wheel I bought at a swap meet for ten bucks, • Guide to STEERING WHEE...
The one I'd been using for the past several years was looking tired, so it was time to swap it.
Many C3 Corvette owners struggle with horn buttons that work erratically or simply don’t. I hope this video will show you how the upper horn contact assembly has to be installed to ensure the horn circuit will be complete, so the horn will actually honk when you press the horn button.
Also, if you decide to swap your steering wheel, this video is a step-by-step tutorial on how I did it.
Additionally, here’s a link to a 76vette blog article I wrote several years ago with lots of sharp color photos of each step along with a written explanation.
🔗 How to Repair The Upper Horn Contact Assembly:
www.76vette.com/2020/04/corve...
Thank you for watching! 🙂👍🏻
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CONTENTS
00:00 After Disconnecting the Battery, Remove the Horn Button
00:06 Remove the Upper Horn Contact
00:27 Remove the Horn Contact Shims
00:36 Remove the Star Bolt
00:55 Remove the Telescoping Lever
01:00 Remove the Spacer
01:05 Remove the Six Steering Wheel Screws
01:25 Remove the Steering Wheel
01:32 Horn Contact Pin and Retainer
02:10 Locking the Telescoping Hub
02:44 Keep All the Small Components in One Safe Place
03:03 How To Install the Horn Pin and Retainer - Properly!
07:03 Installing the Upper Horn Contact Assembly
07:15 Installing the Housing Sliding Cover
08:12 Install the Star Bolt and Secure the Upper Horn Contact Assembly
08:59 Test Operation of the Telescopic Lever and Assembly
09:12 Reinstall the Horn Button and Reconnect the Battery
09:41 Test the Horn to Ensure it Works Properly
10:21 The Finished Product Looks Great
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CORVETTE PRODUCTS (sponsored)
- 76 Vette Assembly Manual: amzn.to/2GBuHrd
- 68-82 Corvette Manual: amzn.to/3devEEW
- How to Restore Corvette: amzn.to/35B6L0R
- 68-82 Vette Resto Guide: amzn.to/2QvvIG
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DISCLAIMER: Even though I like to wrench on Corvettes and most of my videos are of a how-to nature, I am not responsible nor liable should you decide to follow my musings on the subject.
The repairs and other work I do are for my own benefit and entertainment, and even though my videos may sound and appear to give technical how-to advice, that's not my intention.
Working on a vehicle is inherently dangerous. If you're not confident, qualified, or lack the tools to do the job correctly and safely, hire a licensed mechanic.
#corvettec3 #c3 #c3corvette

[@danorourke5184]

Great timing, was just getting ready to take the wheel and telescopic drum off to paint the column this is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@user-xr2tc6es1p]

You saved me again ! I put that pin in upside down ! No wonder my horn would not work ! Thankyou

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@patrickberndt1667]

Excellent timing for making this vid, the 14" leather wheel to replace the huge original wheel in my 1974 C3 arrived yesterday. I swapped it during my lunch break. Cheers from Germany

[@76vette]

Excellent. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@kristaporsanturian9503]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, later I realized that was part of the tele-tilt spring below the base plate. Thanks!

[@eclipsetravel4926]

Finishing up my interior installation and down to the steering wheel. This helped a lot. Thanks for sharing!

[@76vette]

Glad to hear the video was helpful. And thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@rustyshackleford3369]

I have seen so many with that horn post upside down 😂! It’s totally a thing! Pulling my steering wheel off and column out for paint and recovering tomorrow! Couldn’t remember if I needed a puller or not on these, I didn’t think so thanks for the video

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@thomasjent1431]

Thanks for your detailed video! It's helping me figure out how to fix the horn on my 78' C3. My horn assembly was apparently modified by somebody before I got the car, and the horn didn't work. I'm bringing it back to original design. Unfortunately, some of the original parts were missing. The pin was replaced with a screw about twice as long as the original pin. The upper horn contact assembly was modified too, and the insulator gasket and whole base plate were not there. Thanks again.

[@76vette]

Glad to hear my video was helpful. It’s unfortunate that so many people butchered these components to the point where they don’t work anymore. As you now know, the original components work just fine, as long as they are installed properly. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@rosaliomorales3065]

Thank you for spending so good

[@jamesbizelli8568]

Nicely detailed. Thank you sharing this knowledge

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@vanishingpoint5248]

Great video, thanks for your efforts, swapping mine out tomorrow, this clearly shows the steps involved and makes the job much easier. Good on ya Mate!

[@76vette]

Thanks for the kind words and glad to hear you found the video helpful. Good luck with your project, and thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@briansweet4977]

Thanks for this vid. I have to replace my Wheel in my '70. The old horn button would shock me when I honked the horn, lol.

[@JH-yk5se]

Thank you for posting this! 👍🏻

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@vettegreaser6590]

Great video, perfect tutorial

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@kevinshorter5861]

Thanks for telling us about that too!!

[@mariano4003]

great job! thanks!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@JSW199]

WOW. Thank You!!!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome! I hated the steering wheel in my 76, the vega design didn't bother me I liked the look, but it became sticky from the rubber breaking down.

[@76vette]

Yes, some of these wheels outgas some of the compounds, and once that happens, they are pretty much done. Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@alzg8779]

Nice...Thanks!

[@76vette]

Thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@jamesmutters8741]

Thank you, now all I need to do is order parts.

[@76vette]

You’re welcome, James. Good luck with your project, and thank you for watching! 😊👍🏻

[@kristaporsanturian9503]

Thanks for the video!! Very useful!! The problem I´ve got is that I can´t find a kit that comes with the spring insulation tube.... If you know where I can find it I appreciatte it! Thanks! Kris.

[@76vette]

If you need the tube where the spring, plunger, and retainer go, that tube is part of the turn signal assembly and you would have to replace that whole piece. 😊👍🏻

[@519610ab]

I was wondering where did you get that steering wheel with the red stitching? I have a C3 1970 I would like to put the same one on? Great video. Thanks for your time.

[@76vette]

Thank you, Robert. I bought an old steering wheel at a swap meet and restored it myself. It turned out pretty decent, if I say so myself. I also made a video of the restoration process. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oauWpqacn5hseq8

[@johnathanhicks3979]

My C3 is missing locking guide for the pin. Do you know what that plastic piece is called? I’ve been doing research and can’t find the thing.

[@76vette]

I think you’re talking about the little locking insulator guide (at least that’s what I call it). See if this kit would help. 😊👍🏻 amzn.to/3rZu0Tq

[@davidtinsley6584]

A 76 didnt come with that steering wheel. It came with tbe old Vega style vinyl 4 spoke one. Did you swap out your column?

[@76vette]

Yes. I used one from a 78 years ago. www.76vette.com/2016/01/1976-corvette-steering-column-and-vega.html

[@davidtinsley6584]

@@76vette wish I could find one for a good price that doesnt need a ton of work done to it. Id love to get rid of this sticky steering wheel.

[@76vette]

@@davidtinsley6584 You could also install a leather cover and keep the original steering wheel. 😊👍🏻 www.76vette.com/2016/03/installing-new-wheelskins-steering.html

[@GJJC13]

Great video. What are the shims for?

[@76vette]

Thank you! The shims give clearance between the horn button and the telescoping lock lever so one, the horn does not blow when you rotate the lever, and two,they give the horn button enough travel so the upper contact can do its job and blow the horn when you press the horn button. 😊👍🏻

[@GJJC13]

@@76vette Thanks, one last question: do the two parts that are riveted together "sandwiching" a gasket ever touch? I guess that what makes the horn blow is the edge of the ring that touches the rest of the wheel when you press on it, and that those parts never touch. I've seen in another video that somebody believes that those two parts touch together and are what makes the horn blow.

[@76vette]

They do. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZbIiml6ZpmEZpY for more specific details. 🙂👍🏻