removing horn button from plastic base
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
removing horn button from plastic base
Here's the deal: My wife got me a new horn button (the '54-'55 5-Star with Ford script) for Christmas a couple of years ago. I tried to put it on when I put on my new used steering wheel a few weeks ago. It would not fit right and allow the horn to blow. I tried the new button with the new horn cup, the new button with the old cup, the old button with the new cup and every other option. The only combo that works is old horn button on the old horn support cup.
So I want to take the new horn button off its base and put it on my old base. (The new base is thicker than the old one.) The old button came off easy. Undo the 3 metal tabs and and it comes off. Undid the 3 metal tabs on the new one and it is on there tight. Tonight I tried to pry it off with a small screw driver and a needle nose pliers, no good. I even got my Dremel tool out to cut off the plastic base but stopped before I did something stupid.
Then I thought about heating or cooling. Which expands more when heated, metal or plastic? Or Which contracts more when cold, metal or plastic?
Or do any of you have any other ideas for separating the base fro the button?
So I want to take the new horn button off its base and put it on my old base. (The new base is thicker than the old one.) The old button came off easy. Undo the 3 metal tabs and and it comes off. Undid the 3 metal tabs on the new one and it is on there tight. Tonight I tried to pry it off with a small screw driver and a needle nose pliers, no good. I even got my Dremel tool out to cut off the plastic base but stopped before I did something stupid.
Then I thought about heating or cooling. Which expands more when heated, metal or plastic? Or Which contracts more when cold, metal or plastic?
Or do any of you have any other ideas for separating the base fro the button?
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 2
From: Arvada, CO
Don't know if this helps but I bought a repro button for an f1 which is all plastic. The plastic was too thick and had to be removed on the inside of each of the three tabs with a dremel tool in order to get it to move. Once installed you could not push down on the button at all. Was a bit difficult to tell what was going on until I found an original and compared them. Sounds like your button is made poorly also.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
The new cup is too deep (or tall) and the new plastic base is too thick. So the new horn button and base did not fit on the old cup.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
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From: Poway, Ca.
As I recall, I ended up cutting about 1/8 - 3/16 of the top of the cup and reinstalling it. I don't remember if I filed the tabs on the new button or not. How does the height of the new cup compare to the height of the old one.
Like Gearhead, I'd just trim the two new pieces to the same dimensions as the old.
Like Gearhead, I'd just trim the two new pieces to the same dimensions as the old.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
I see what you mean but I think the easiest solution is to remove the metal horn button from the plastic base. I have done it before and as I said teh metal part came off my old horn button easily but the on the new horn button, the metal part won't budge and was thinking if I could heat or freeze it it might make it easier to get off...
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Could be Abe!
But it might be epoxyed on too. I'd hate to see you break it - being such a nice gift and all. Careful, freezing will make it brittle and it might shatter.
Do you have any Nitro Glycerin?
But it might be epoxyed on too. I'd hate to see you break it - being such a nice gift and all. Careful, freezing will make it brittle and it might shatter.
Do you have any Nitro Glycerin?
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
Nitro Glycerin? You want me to blow it off? I hope it is not epoxyed on!! Then why have the tabs, just for authenticity?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Well just thinking....The old ones may have been glued, but after 60 years there's not much left of it. And maybe the tabs are there because they used an original mold or stamp for that part - functional or not.
Nitro, yeah I was being a Smart A
Nitro, yeah I was being a Smart A
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
What shall I do? Keep messing with the new one and end up ruining it or be satisfied with my old one??
I think this week I will try some heat thinking the metal will expand but the plastic won't. Do you think warm water would be the best? Or perhaps put it in the micro-wave!! (Ha-Ha)
I think this week I will try some heat thinking the metal will expand but the plastic won't. Do you think warm water would be the best? Or perhaps put it in the micro-wave!! (Ha-Ha)
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