Replacing a steering wheel (horn issues)

[kaw700zn]

I just bought a steering wheel from Wild Horses. My Bronco is 73 but steering column might have been replaced. The contact button below the steering shaft has power. However, the power is not being transferred to the wheel. Looks like the button is not long enough. I bought the contact ring accessories with the wheel but I am not sure if they can help.

Please see the pictures. Steering Wheel Pics

Is this doable or I ordered a wrong part?

 

[Lawndart]

I just bought a steering wheel from Wild Horses. My Bronco is 73 but steering column might have been replaced. The contact button below the steering shaft has power. However, the power is not being transferred to the wheel. Looks like the button is not long enough. I bought the contact ring accessories with the wheel but I am not sure if they can help.

Please see the pictures. Steering Wheel Pics

Is this doable or I ordered a wrong part?

I don't know about the parts, however I can confirm that is not a '73 column; it is a later model column.

 

[EPB72]

agree with lawndart your column is later . single horn contact and hazard switch, .

also if the column is not original beside steering wheel and column mismatch.. the later model 74-77 use a horn relay and eairler just supply power to horns through the horn button , so vehicle wiring may need some inspection as well..

 

[DirtDonk]

Just out of curiosity, aside from the possibility of the column having been changed, what month was your bronco produced?
If it’s a very late 73, it’s possibly another one of those problem columns that got transitioned to later parts without all the parts matching the expected model.

Do you have a horn relay from Ford under the hood over by the voltage regulator? Sorry, not the regulator. A 73 would have gotten the regulator on the firewall.
But if you look over on the fender apron/skirt between the battery and the firewall, look for a small rectangular metal case relay with three wires going to it.
If you have that, you probably have a late 73.

This actually goes against what I normally think, which is that the relays didn’t get included until sometime after the first 74 models got into production.
So it’s even more interesting information than normal. For me at least!

Thanks!

 

[kaw700zn]

Just out of curiosity, aside from the possibility of the column having been changed, what month was your bronco produced?
If it’s a very late 73, it’s possibly another one of those problem columns that got transitioned to later parts without all the parts matching the expected model.

Do you have a horn relay from Ford under the hood over by the voltage regulator? Sorry, not the regulator. A 73 would have gotten the regulator on the firewall.
But if you look over on the fender apron/skirt between the battery and the firewall, look for a small rectangular metal case relay with three wires going to it.
If you have that, you probably have a late 73.

This actually goes against what I normally think, which is that the relays didn’t get included until sometime after the first 74 models got into production.
So it’s even more interesting information than normal. For me at least!

Thanks!

It was actually built in late 72. The reason why I call it 73 is because it has a hazard lights switch on the dash. The steering column has a hazard switch as well. According to the Marti report it was originally a manual transmission. I assume the column was changed when the auto transmission was added. It was since rewired too.

 

[DirtDonk]

Well, you may have lots of stuff to dig down into in the future when searching for problems. But for now, you just need to make sure you have a steering wheel and/or adapter for a 74 or later.

 

[mitch@wildhorses]

Here’s a link to our instructions that explain the differences between the horn button setups and might offer some more clarity: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/instructions/downloads/WH/2978_2986 09-14-18.pdf

 

[WILDHORSES]

The steering wheel (66-73) is not compatible with the turn signal switch (74-77). Last time I tried to bolt the early steering wheel to the later column it jammed up when I tightened the nut. It was an aftermarket tilt column, Ford version. I don't see the nut in your photo so have you tried to tighten it down yet? If so did that part work?

Jim

 

[gnpenning]

WOW! Great example of our vendors stepping up to help.

Nice job gentlemen.

 

[kaw700zn]

The steering wheel (66-73) is not compatible with the turn signal switch (74-77). Last time I tried to bolt the early steering wheel to the later column it jammed up when I tightened the nut. It was an aftermarket tilt column, Ford version. I don't see the nut in your photo so have you tried to tighten it down yet? If so did that part work?

Jim

Yes, i realized (late) that an early steering wheel is not compatible with later column. Actually it fits fine and the cancel cam is working. But the horn is not working. I sent the steering wheel back and ordered a different one.