changing out steering wheel- how to mount horn pad?

[DrillNFill]

Hi everyone, looking for some advice/ help
I have a 1970 Dart Swinger i bought in 2020 which has a broken rim-blow steering wheel. Has never worked and previous owner mounted a house doorbell-type button to work the horn. Im trying to replace the whole setup with an original-style steering wheel/horn ring like the one pictured that could also be ordered for a '70. I bought a used mounting kit which I thought would have everything I would need to mount the used horn pad/ ring I found on eBay to a new reproduction steering wheel I purchased (the PG Classics repro). My trusted mechanic is having a hard time mounting the horn pad correctly, he thinks I may be missing a piece. I cannot find installation instructions or a diagram anywhere online and the factory service manual doesnt show any detail. Looking at the attached photos, are there any parts missing? Can anyone direct me to some clear instructions or diagrams that show the correct way to mount everything? Unfortunately Im changing
steering wheels so I cant just put things back together the same way. Any advice/ help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[CRUZE 418]

I have a complete Deluxe steering wheel up in the attic of the shop. Will be gone all day. If I don't get back with you over this weekend, PM me to remind me and I will take some pictures. I am forgetful!

 

[CRUZE 418]

It looks like everything is there. Here are the pictures of mine. Not sure that your car would have come with the deluxe steering wheel. You may have another problem with your horn.

 

[DrillNFill]

It looks like everything is there. Here are the pictures of mine. Not sure that your car would have come with the deluxe steering wheel. You may have another problem with your horn.

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thanks! I think my dad and i figured out how to mount the horn pad properly after playing around with all the pieces for a half hour or so (like an oddball metal Jenga game). I will take photos when I get a chance this week, we just mocked it up but I'm pretty sure we got it mounted.

I did read on another members post about how the bronze ring on the back of the wheel needs to make contact with a roller(?) on the turn signal switch? am i correct in understanding that's how electricity gets to the horn switch? are these switches the same for both types of steering wheel? I still have to undo the wiring/ doorbell button that the previous owner rigged up to blow the horn. Thank you again for your help and info!

 

[CRUZE 418]

I am not a real trouble shooter when it comes electrical issues, but that sounds right. Yes, all wheels and horn assemblies should operate similarly.
Good luck!

 

[DrillNFill]

It looks like everything is there. Here are the pictures of mine. Not sure that your car would have come with the deluxe steering wheel. You may have another problem with your horn.

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ok I finally got a chance to get into the garage this weekend and finally get it mounted right, but something was keeping the wheel from seating properly and I couldnt figure it out until I looked at your photos again- the bare metal "mount" that screws into the horn switch, yours is totally smooth while mine has a "projection" on the surface, that the horn pad retainer has a cutout for. that projection I think is what is keeping the horn pad from seating properly- I highlighted it in the photos. I wonder if mine with the projection is for a different wheel setup, and if i should just grind it off. what do you all think?

 

[CRUZE 418]

Yeah, why is the bump there?

 

[DrillNFill]

Yeah, why is the bump there?

I don't know! haha
I'm worried ill somehow mess something up if I grind it off but its definitely hitting the metal on the back of the horn pad. Looking online it seems 1969 retainers were smooth like yours. Cant really find any photos of 1970-specific ones to see if they have a bump or not

 

[CRUZE 418]

Just realized that the top cover does have a relief for the nub sticking up. Is the nub flush or above the relief in the plate? If it's above, take a little off of it.

 

[DrillNFill]

Just realized that the top cover does have a relief for the nub sticking up. Is the nub flush or above the relief in the plate? If it's above, take a little off of it.

its definitely above the level of the black plate, probably about 1/4". I think I might remove it its solid underneath and the "male" nub doesn't correspond to any "female" opening on the underside of the horn pad. I bought the retainer off of eBay because it seems its the only part not reproduced. Other than the "nub" it lines up with and fits perfectly with the horn switch underneath and the horn pad mounting plate above.