Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Need to remove the steering wheel but am stymied trying to twist or pry out the horn button. Should it rotate and pop out? Rotates about 2 degrees but no further. Any info would be appreciated. Marty in VA.

I have the same issue with the same style/year wheel.

The foam pad behind it has probably solidified but you need to press it in evenly and rotate (I believe is CCW) about 10 degrees or so and it should pop off. When pressing it in, you should feel it move but if not, then there is the solidified foam so may take extra pressure to collapse it. Obviously you'll need to disconnect the battery or it least the horn itself first!

It was quite a struggle, but I was able to remove the horn button on a 1938 banjo steering wheel by working a thin wire under the button. It is
hard to get a good grip on the button but the wire allowed me to work it off with careful patience. After getting the wire under the button, I
worked the ends of the wire around the edge at around 1/3rd of the circumference. Perhaps moving the wire around the underside of the whole button
helped to work it loose. Yes, you move it counter-clockwise. Good luck

OK, got it to release. thanks all. By running a feeler gauge blade (.005?) around the edge of the plastic button with a sort of sawing motion, it must have dislodged the fossilized foam remnants enough to get it to rotate enough. Used penetrating oil, too (not WD40 which might soften the plastic).

Why do you think penetrating oil doesn’t also risk interaction with the plastic?

Just repeating what I've heard about WD40. In any event, the "Blaster" brand did not affect the button plastic, but maybe it was risky to use.

I've never had either one cause any damage to plastic and the plastic on your wheel is very well-seasoned with age so virtually no change anyway.

I assure you that a claim as broad as any hydrocarbon oil being harmless to “plastic, “ a very broad category of materials, is not well founded in chemistry. Specific oil and specific plastic combinations can be safe.