The Ford Barn

Conaway2 · 12-09-2020, 08:47 PM

While recently trying to disassemble the horn rod on the car I’ve owned since 1967, I broke the horn rod where it joins the light switch handle. After bending the 4 tabs on the horn button bezel straight up, I wasn’t able to remove the bezel without applying quite a bit of force....resulting in the broken rod. I now have a repro horn rod installed, which works great, but it looks too new and out of place on my car. I would like to have the original light switch (part that contains the horn button ) showing, as it;s the piece my hands have touched for over 50 years.

I have re-attached the rod with black JB Weld, but this is not a permanent repair. Examination of the horn/light switch piece shows that the rod was pressed into it at manufacture. Has anyone had any experience replacing the rod itself ? Can the rod be pressed out and replaced ?

many thanks in advance -
Jim

Gary WA · 12-09-2020, 09:57 PM

Not me. But maybe a good machinist could redo it!!

Mike Peters · 12-09-2020, 11:02 PM

I recently took a 29 horn rod apart. The four tabs on that only released the horn button, which was sticking in the on position. So yeah, the bezel is attached to the rod at the factory an does not detach by ordinary means.

CWPASADENA · 12-09-2020, 11:11 PM

I think a sleeve could be bade that would go thru the top part (handle) and insert into the upper part of the rod to make a permanent repair. I am familiar with the problem as I have just finished restoring an original horn rod assembly. The actual hole in the rod does not have to be as large as it is because it only has to be big enough for the wire.

My opinion,

Chris W.

Conaway2 · 12-10-2020, 08:19 AM

Good suggestion in post #4 - I’ll take a look at doing that. Thanks - Jim

Conaway2 · 12-13-2020, 08:30 AM

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I inserted a sleeve as suggested in post #4 - I used a short piece of 1/4” copper tubing, attached with JB Weld. The tubing was a snug fit - no drilling needed, and the wire will easily fit through the sleeve. The repair feels pretty solid.

CWPASADENA · 12-13-2020, 10:12 PM

Sounds good,

Thanks for the follow up.

Chris W.

12-09-2020, 08:47 PM	#1
Conaway2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 601	30-31 Horn Rod Repair ? While recently trying to disassemble the horn rod on the car I’ve owned since 1967, I broke the horn rod where it joins the light switch handle. After bending the 4 tabs on the horn button bezel straight up, I wasn’t able to remove the bezel without applying quite a bit of force....resulting in the broken rod. I now have a repro horn rod installed, which works great, but it looks too new and out of place on my car. I would like to have the original light switch (part that contains the horn button ) showing, as it;s the piece my hands have touched for over 50 years. I have re-attached the rod with black JB Weld, but this is not a permanent repair. Examination of the horn/light switch piece shows that the rod was pressed into it at manufacture. Has anyone had any experience replacing the rod itself ? Can the rod be pressed out and replaced ? many thanks in advance - Jim

12-09-2020, 11:02 PM	#3
Mike Peters Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: South East Wisconsin Posts: 1,279	Re: 30-31 Horn Rod Repair ? I recently took a 29 horn rod apart. The four tabs on that only released the horn button, which was sticking in the on position. So yeah, the bezel is attached to the rod at the factory an does not detach by ordinary means.

12-10-2020, 08:19 AM	#5
Conaway2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 601	Re: 30-31 Horn Rod Repair ? Good suggestion in post #4 - I’ll take a look at doing that. Thanks - Jim

12-13-2020, 08:30 AM	#6
Conaway2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 601	Re: 30-31 Horn Rod Repair ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I inserted a sleeve as suggested in post #4 - I used a short piece of 1/4” copper tubing, attached with JB Weld. The tubing was a snug fit - no drilling needed, and the wire will easily fit through the sleeve. The repair feels pretty solid.

12-13-2020, 10:12 PM	#7
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: 30-31 Horn Rod Repair ? Sounds good, Thanks for the follow up. Chris W.

12-09-2020, 11:11 PM	#4
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,882	Re: 30-31 Horn Rod Repair ? I think a sleeve could be bade that would go thru the top part (handle) and insert into the upper part of the rod to make a permanent repair. I am familiar with the problem as I have just finished restoring an original horn rod assembly. The actual hole in the rod does not have to be as large as it is because it only has to be big enough for the wire. My opinion, Chris W.