Replacing OEM Steering Wheel - what parts am I missing?

[clinem03]

I am in the process of removing the go cart steering wheel that came on my 76 Wagon with an OEM Steering wheel off a 70 Sport. I have all the components installed for the horn button, including the spring, but I think I may be missing a few parts...maybe a contact plate and two screws to go on either side of the spline? I've included pictures in so you can eyeball what I have. Can someone help me with the parts I am missing to get it installed? I looked on Dennis Carpenter and didn't see anything, nor did I see a contact plate on WH but that could be search user error.

Please note, while it is not pictured I do have the horn ring spring.

 

[clinem03]

I just re-watched the video on Matt's Garage where he removed a similar OEM wheel (diff horn ring) and it appeared that there are not screws that go in on either side of the spline, as it looks like those are just used to remove the wheel with the wheel puller/harmonic balancer. But I also noticed that there wasnt a black wire connected on his wheel...so now my question is - what is the black wire for (I assume it is for the horn) and where does it get connected? Video from Matt's garage - https://www.google.com/search?q=mat...ECAcQCw&biw=1234&bih=918#imgrc=lM_ySPvrsJQs-M

 

[DirtDonk]

We need a pic of the turn-signal switch area, and then of the backside of your new '70 wheel. Typically they are NOT compatible.

If your column is a '76 model then it has the hazard flasher on the side and would have only one horn contact button. A wheel from a '70 would have two horn contact traces, and is expecting two horn contact buttons.

Yes, the threaded holes are for a puller. A '76 wheel does use screws from the backside of the wheel to hold the horn pad on, but the early one obviously does not have that and the horn button just pushes and twists, if I remember.

Paul

 

[clinem03]

We need a pic of the turn-signal switch area, and then of the backside of your new '70 wheel. Typically they are NOT compatible.

If your column is a '76 model then it has the hazard flasher on the side and would have only one horn contact button. A wheel from a '70 would have two horn contact traces, and is expecting two horn contact buttons.

Yes, the threaded holes are for a puller. A '76 wheel does use screws from the backside of the wheel to hold the horn pad on, but the early one obviously does not have that and the horn button just pushes and twists, if I remember.

Paul

DirtDonk - Thanks for the insight! I assume when you say the turn signal switch area, you are referring to the top end of the steering column with the wheel off? I haven't pulled the old wheel yet, but can go do that now if that's what you need. I do have a 76 column (the original one) on mine with the hazard on the column.

 

[clinem03]

I am not sure if these are what you were after as far as photos, DirtDonk. I included one of the back of the 70 wheel and what was behind the current wheel. It looks like this part (which also has the black wire coming off of it - meaning it is connected to the back of the tan/brown plate and not my wiring behind it) may be part of the non OEM wheel? It is unclear if it was threaded on, or just pushed on with the wheel being tightened down. If it is part of the non-oem wheel - do you have any idea on how to get it off? Use the wheel puller?

 

[DirtDonk]

I assume when you say the turn signal switch area, you are referring to the top end of the steering column with the wheel off?

Yes, exactly. Underneath the steering wheel adapter, so that the turn signal switch mechanism is exposed.
I know what I expect to see, but wanted to be sure. Which is always a good plan!

I do have a 76 column (the original one) on mine with the hazard on the column.

Ok, so at least that is consistent.
But that means that the only way your horn circuit is going to work is if you have a one-year-only very early '74 turn signal switch, with the hazard flasher switch and the two separate contact pins for the horn.
Or one swapped-in from another vehicle.

I am not sure if these are what you were after as far as photos. I included one of the back of the 70 wheel and what was behind the current wheel.

Can you pop off that part with the wire to see what's underneath?
It might take a 3-bolt puller, so if you don't have one of those and the adapter part won't just come off in your hand, you'll need a puller.
But you'll need a puller anyway if you want to change the steering wheels. That part is from the aftermarket wheel to adapt it to the Ford column.

Some wheels, like the Ford, use a 2-bolt puller. Your aftermarket one obviously takes a 3-bolt type. But you can try to gently pry it up just to see. It's on a tapered section of the shaft though, so yes they usually lock in place very tightly and will only come off with the puller.

Paul

 

[clinem03]

Thanks for all the help Paul! Got the adaptor off and a clean shot of the turn signal set up. If I do need it, do you know where I could find one of those rare 74 parts?

 

[clinem03]

Sorry, forgot to upload the photo...

 

[DirtDonk]

Manual trans version, with no light bulb for the PRNDL indicator.
I don't see the horn contact from this angle, but that should be it in the upper right, just behind the shaft.
In your case, looking at it in real life, it would be on the lower right side of the shaft.

A single horn contact pin is consistent with a '74 to '77 switch. So you're good there.
But that means your steering wheel is not compatible.

A possible solution, other than finding a correct '74, or '75-'77 steering wheel, would be to see if the turn signal switch from a '66 to '73 will fit into the steering column. Not really a viable option since you'd lose your hazard switch. But I think it's doable in some cases.

So, you either use what you have and don't have a horn, or get a proper year steering wheel. If you like the earlier style like you have, vs the later style seen here: https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Steering_Wheel_7577yr/Bronco_Steering_Wheels you could try to locate a unicorn '74-only steering wheel.
They're around. Just not common.

So, not great news, but now you know.

Paul

 

[clinem03]

Paul - thanks for all the support on this! I really wanted the older wheel as I prefer them over the later model wheels. I just like old wheels! My 72 F100 Ranger. Has a grill and wheel from a 69

When you say a unicorn 74 wheel, was there a point in 74 when they shipped Bronco with the older style wheel? Would a 74 1/2 wheel work with my 76 set up? That would be a fun hunt...

Maybe another alternative is a column swap?

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes, as far as I was aware, all '74's came with the old "style" wheel. The difference was that for '74 only it was updated on the back face to have just a single horn trace which connected to ground (the center shaft) instead of the double horn traces of the '73 and earlier wheels like yours.

See the metal circles on the back of yours, where the horn contact pads ride? You need only one with a different orientation to work with your later model column.

So yes, a column swap to an earlier model would let the wheel fit, but you'd still lose the use of your horn button and hazard flashers.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

You'll notice that the wheels on our site list the later style as fitting the '74 model Broncos. This is because even though the style is different, the horn contacts are correct for '74, as well as the '75 to '77 trucks.
Maybe there is some discrepancy with what I'm saying in there, because of the running changes that happened sometimes. But this is how I remember it.

Paul

 

[clinem03]

Thanks so much, Paul! I’ll spend some time trying to hunt down earlier model 74 wheel with the single contact point. Fingers crossed!

 

[clinem03]

74 wheel and horn ring

 

[gmduncan]

Don't know if this helps...

https://www.lmctruck.com/1966-77-ford/steering-column-parts/fbr-1975-77-steering-column-components

 

[clinem03]

Top of Steering Column and rear of Wheel

 

[DirtDonk]

there ya go. that's the one. Early style wheel, with later style horn contact ring.

Paul