QuestionDear Mr.Benjamin,
I'm attempting to do my own work on cars for the first time. I have a 66 Mustang with the 3 spoke deluxe steering wheel that I can't figure out how to remove. One of the 3 horn contacts isn't working, and one turn signal won't cancel automatically as it should. I have 2 manuals, but both offer only vague instruction. (Heck, I can't even get the wheel off!) I understand that these are typical problems for these cars, and was hoping you could share your many years of experience and help out a novice such as myself with some detailed instruction and information.
Many thanks. Sincerely, T.S. Logan
AnswerEach car has a unique way of attaching the steering wheel trim to the stucture of the wheel, and even within different trim options on the same car, this can change, so unless I had worked on that exact model and trim option, I wouldn't be able to give you step by step directions. However, there are only a few possibilities, and it is fairly easy to find out which is the case with your car.
First, inspect the back of the steering wheel carefully, to see if there are any fasteners going through the spokes that could be used to hold the horn button and any decorative trim to the steering wheel. If there are, remove those screws or nuts - whatever they are, and the horn pad will probably come loose.
If there are no fasteners visible from the back side of the wheel, the horn pad must be held on by either spring retainers, or if there is a round part to the horn button, by a bayonet lock similar to a normal automotive light bulb. If there is nothing round facing you to turn (counterclockwise, of course), try gently prying around the edges of the trim pad over the horn actuating places, to see if you can work the pad up and off the wheel. If you absolutely cannot see how to get it off without damage, you are going to have to spend more time studying the shop manual (you do have the FACTORY shop manual, right?), or else find someone with a similar car who knows how to do it.
When you do get it off, there may be wires attached to it, and if so, make a note of which wire goes where before you disconnect it. Then you can inspect the operating parts of the horn switch and visually locate the problem with it. The steering wheel does not need to come off to fix the horn problem, given that some of the horn actuation works correctly (in other words, we know that the problem is local to one of the spokes). The horn is operated by grounding a single wire - so you are going to find that either the grounding contact to that spoke is dirty or missing, or the wire connection to that spoke is broken.
The turn signal lack of cancellation is a different story, however. This is a common failure of old cars, and the problem is about 99.9% certain to be a broken off plastic part in the turn signal switch. Before you immobilize the car by removing the steering wheel, obtain a replacement switch - NAPA stores probalby has a replacement in stock, but if NAPA can't help you, you can get one from Mustang parts specialists.
Now - as to removing the steering wheel: This does take a special tool, which every home mechanic needs to buy sooner or later, so you might as well bite the bullet and get yourself one. Again, I recommend NAPA for good quality tools. Just ask for a "steering wheel puller", or you could rent one from your local tool rental place for somewhat less money, I'm sure.
There is a large nut in the center of the steering wheel which will become obvious when you remove the horn actuating hardware and trim. This nut is very tight, and probably you will need a good long "breaker bar" to get it to come loose. You will also need someone strong to keep the wheel from turning as you loosen the nut. An easier way is to use a good air impact wrench, but you probably don't have one of those (yet). Once this big nut is loose, the wheel simply pulls off the splined shaft, but note the little mark on the shaft indicating the position of the wheel to make the car go straight ahead. Some splines have a tooth pattern that prevents puttint the wheel back on wrong, but make sure you know what the situation is before you remove it. To "Simply pull" the wheel is where the special tool comes in. There are threaded holes in the steering wheel hub which will accept the mounting bolts from the steering wheel puller. The central bolt on the puller pushes down on the center shaft to force the wheel back off the splined shaft. Be sure to protect the threads of the center shaft by leaving the main nut on the shaft, but backed all the way up to the top end of the threads so that the puller thrust shaft doesn't deform the threaded area of the shaft..
Once the steering wheel is off the shaft, you will have access to the turn signal switch for further service. Just install the new turn signal switch, fish the new wires through the wire channel using a pull string which you fortunately knew enough to install when you pulled the old switch out, by attaching a small strong string to one of the old wires as you pulled it!
I hope this is adequately clear - but if not, ask a follow-up question and I'll try again.
Dick
