Horn pickup on Steering column

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h00kem
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:52 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by h00kem »

I was reinstalling my steering column and forgot all about the spring mounted pickup presumably for the horn that has what looks to be a piece of lead or something lead spring loaded that contacts a metal rink on the steering column as it turns. Needless to say I broke the lead material. And I even wrote myself a note to BE CAREFUL not to break the piece when I moved the column back into place #$#$%%@&$!!%*! Can someone tell me what the material is (is it lead), where I might a replacement piece and whether I am correct that it is simply inserted into the spring fixture and held in place by pressure when it is spring against the metal sleeve? Thanks guys.
1966 330 GT 2+2 Interim series I, 1986 328 GTB, 2005 575M, 1979 308 GTS
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330GT
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Re: Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by 330GT »

Been there, done the same thing. See http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari/B ... nBrush.htm. I think I got the brush from McCann.
Regards, Kerry
http://www.330gt.com 330 GT Registry
http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari 250 PF Coupe 1643GT, 330 GT 2+2 8755GT, 308 GTS 23605
h00kem
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:52 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by h00kem »

Yep, exactly my situation. Does the carbon piece attach to the spring simply by fitting into the center of the spring? Thanks for the good info.
1966 330 GT 2+2 Interim series I, 1986 328 GTB, 2005 575M, 1979 308 GTS
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tyang
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Re: Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by tyang »

Hi Kevin,

Yes, the carbon brush just slips into the spring. I don't know if the usual suspects have these in stock, but there might be something here under carbon brushes:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#carbon-brushes/=2py7g7

Tom
'63 330 America #5053
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330GT
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Re: Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by 330GT »

h00kem wrote:Yep, exactly my situation. Does the carbon piece attach to the spring simply by fitting into the center of the spring? Thanks for the good info.
Yes. You can click on the picture for an enlargement.
Regards, Kerry
http://www.330gt.com 330 GT Registry
http://www.parrotbyte.com/kbc/ferrari 250 PF Coupe 1643GT, 330 GT 2+2 8755GT, 308 GTS 23605
h00kem
Posts: 97
Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:52 pm
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by h00kem »

I spoke with Dennis McCann this morning. Dennis has long been out of the carbon bush needed for the repair. In fact, he said he has gotten so may calls for it he is thinking about having some made. Good news is that his comments confirm that I'm not the only one who had done such a bonehead thing! Bad new is that he doen't think there are any to be had right now. I did go ahead and order a couple of possibilities from McMaster-Carr. The two smallest diameters they have are 3/16" and 7/32". The brushes are already mounded on the spring. I'm thinking those are too big as I think I need something more like 1/16" but thought i would give it a try. I may be able to reeingineer one of these to work. Isn't that what working on a vintage Ferrari is all about? In any event if someone has one lying around or another source to try let me know. Thanks guys. I'll let you know how it all turns out.
1966 330 GT 2+2 Interim series I, 1986 328 GTB, 2005 575M, 1979 308 GTS
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tyang
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Re: Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by tyang »

I'm sure I could turn a piece of carbon rod on a lathe to the correct diameter. Let me know if you want me to give it a shot.

Tom
'63 330 America #5053
h00kem
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Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:52 pm
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Re: Horn pickup on Steering column

Post by h00kem »

Came up with a solution that I thought I would share in case anyone else out there is a bone head like me and accidentally breaks the carbon bit in their horn relay pickup. I purchased the new carbon pickup and spring (boxed together in a pair) from McMasters-Carr Company via the internet. Note size of the pick-up on the box picture on the box. So cheap that I hated to pay shipping to get it to me. Picture of part box included so you have the correct part number and size. The new carbon pick-up was slightly larger in diameter than the hole in the plastic fixture so by hand and using a drill bit I carefully drilled out just a bit of the fixture so the new part would fit freely in the fixture. As Kerry pointed out in his post the challenge was to solder the new wire onto the spring. I don't know why it's so tough but with some good heat from a mini torch I was able to get it done without burning up the small. The carbon piece is thicker than the original so it seems sturdier and it rides the brass ring on the steering column well. Hope this helps someone.
Attachments
finished pick-up
finished pick-up
DSC03605.JPG (91 KiB) Viewed 5928 times
old piece at bottom, new at top
old piece at bottom, new at top
DSC03600.JPG (104.71 KiB) Viewed 5928 times
box cover of part purchased from McMaster-Carr Company
box cover of part purchased from McMaster-Carr Company
DSC03601.JPG (114.9 KiB) Viewed 5929 times
1966 330 GT 2+2 Interim series I, 1986 328 GTB, 2005 575M, 1979 308 GTS
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