KR Horn...another NewB question

[Steve Meltzer]

I got my KR about two or three months ago; the horn initially worked intermittently, but now it doesn't work at all. I will assume from that fact, that the problem is not in the horns per se, but somewhere in the wiring or contacts in the steering wheel. If this is a common problem, where would the most likely solution be? Also, I've heard that some of the replacement parts for the horn rim and button are junk. Can anyone shed light on this before I start replacing parts? Thanks and sorry for the never ending stream of questions as I learned about this great car. Steve.

[Bob Gaines]

I got my KR about two or three months ago; the horn initially worked intermittently, but now it doesn't work at all. I will assume from that fact, that the problem is not in the horns per se, but somewhere in the wiring or contacts in the steering wheel. If this is a common problem, where would the most likely solution be? Also, I've heard that some of the replacement parts for the horn rim and button are junk. Can anyone shed light on this before I start replacing parts? Thanks and sorry for the never ending stream of questions as I learned about this great car. Steve.

I would check the horn itself first. Jumper wire from the battery to the horn terminal to see if it/they  work. There is a adjustment screw to adjust pitch (for contacts inside horn) which can somtimes bring otherwise non working horns back to life. Sometimes the horns just die internally but more typically it is something else. Checking for a good horn grounding point is also a good place to start . I typically will make bare metal to metal contact under the horn bracket , radiator support and bolt using dielectric grease to protect from rust in a way that you can't tell when assembled just to be on the safe side. Expecting to get good ground through painted parts with the hope of a bolt scratching down to good metal is too iffy for my liking. Of course it could be in the steering wheel but I start looking out by the horns.

[Lincoln tech]

Press horn actuator while turning steering wheel in both directions first . Checking for voltage at horn itself would be
my next step .

[Steve Meltzer]

So much for my assumptions, I'd better start with the logical part..... the horns themselves. Thanks guys, Steve.

[Royce Peterson]

I have had the same thing too. Occasionally it is the contacts or wiring but typically it is the horn itself or both horns not working.

As it turns out the Corvette uses nearly the identical horn (different bracket), so I got rebuild kits from ZIP. Instructions are here:
https://www.corvettemagazine.com/1957-1975-corvette-horn-rebuild/

[Steve Meltzer]

Thank you, Royce. steve

[Royce Peterson]

The kit you want is for the later, smaller diameter horns. The original rivets have a waffle like pattern on the manufactured head. You can buy a waffle pattern rivet set to simulate that if you want.

Kits: https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

[shelbymann1970]

The kit you want is for the later, smaller diameter horns. The original rivets have a waffle like pattern on the manufactured head. You can buy a waffle pattern rivet set to simulate that if you want.

Kits: https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Do they sell the kits from what they show in their instructions with the vibrating discs and hammers? The link they have doesn't exist.

[Bob Gaines]

 The mentioned Zip horn rebuild kit can work but don't have unrealistic expectations. It has been my experience that the rebuild kits only cover the simplest of inside repairs relatively speaking . Basically if I could get a horn to still at least squeak I could by opening it up and cleaning the inside contact etc. I could put it back together with the gasket and rivets provided . If it doesn't make a noise or even vibrate then typically more extensive components not provided in the kit have issues.  If that is the case you are dollars and time ahead to source another used working donor to detail for your replacement.

[Royce Peterson]

The kit you want is for the later, smaller diameter horns. The original rivets have a waffle like pattern on the manufactured head. You can buy a waffle pattern rivet set to simulate that if you want.

Kits: https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Do they sell the kits from what they show in their instructions with the vibrating discs and hammers? The link they have doesn't exist.

When I click on the link it shows in stock, ships tomorrow.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Maybe Bob is getting worse horns than I am because all of the ones I have taken apart the kit works perfectly to fix the horn.

[shelbymann1970]

The kit you want is for the later, smaller diameter horns. The original rivets have a waffle like pattern on the manufactured head. You can buy a waffle pattern rivet set to simulate that if you want.

Kits: https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Do they sell the kits from what they show in their instructions with the vibrating discs and hammers? The link they have doesn't exist.

When I click on the link it shows in stock, ships tomorrow.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Maybe Bob is getting worse horns than I am because all of the ones I have taken apart the kit works perfectly to fix the horn.

It shows 4 gaskets and rivets. In the PDF article they show the kit and a link to it including the vibrating discs  and hammers. That link doesn't exist when you click on it. The pic below the kit link is shown in blue at the top and the complete kit with discs shown.

[shelbydoug]

I am working on my horns as we speak.

The hard part is getting the old rivets out.

I've decided to use 10-32 black button head screws instead of new rivets. That could always be changed later.


What I found is that the points in mine are fine but the vibrating hammers are coated with a white corrosion.

I'm about to put them in the glass beader.


Mine are all date coded and original to both cars as far as I can tell so it is worth the effort.

In my case all of the original gaskets came off and frankly I'm not sure why you can't reuse them OR just use black silicone instead?


I will see if my procedure will actually keep them from working?

[shelbymann1970]

I am working on my horns as we speak.

The hard part is getting the old rivets out.

I've decided to use 10-32 black button head screws instead of new rivets. That could always be changed later.


What I found is that the points in mine are fine but the vibrating hammers are coated with a white corrosion.

I'm about to put them in the glass beader.


Mine are all date coded and original to both cars as far as I can tell so it is worth the effort.

In my case all of the original gaskets came off and frankly I'm not sure why you can't reuse them OR just use black silicone instead?


I will see if my procedure will actually keep them from working?

In the article they state that the 2 gaskets create a gap that is needed. So if you could use a product and keep the needed gap it wouldn't be an issue? Use some of the old material in the right places while sealing with the silicone.

[Royce Peterson]

The kit you want is for the later, smaller diameter horns. The original rivets have a waffle like pattern on the manufactured head. You can buy a waffle pattern rivet set to simulate that if you want.

Kits: https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Do they sell the kits from what they show in their instructions with the vibrating discs and hammers? The link they have doesn't exist.

When I click on the link it shows in stock, ships tomorrow.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Maybe Bob is getting worse horns than I am because all of the ones I have taken apart the kit works perfectly to fix the horn.

It shows 4 gaskets and rivets. In the PDF article they show the kit and a link to it including the vibrating discs  and hammers. That link doesn't exist when you click on it. The pic below the kit link is shown in blue at the top and the complete kit with discs shown.

That's the kit I always use. It has fixed every horn I ever took apart. I have not needed anything else ever.

[shelbymann1970]

The kit you want is for the later, smaller diameter horns. The original rivets have a waffle like pattern on the manufactured head. You can buy a waffle pattern rivet set to simulate that if you want.

Kits: https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Do they sell the kits from what they show in their instructions with the vibrating discs and hammers? The link they have doesn't exist.

When I click on the link it shows in stock, ships tomorrow.

https://www.zip-corvette.com/64-75-horn-repair-refinish-kit.html

Maybe Bob is getting worse horns than I am because all of the ones I have taken apart the kit works perfectly to fix the horn.

It shows 4 gaskets and rivets. In the PDF article they show the kit and a link to it including the vibrating discs  and hammers. That link doesn't exist when you click on it. The pic below the kit link is shown in blue at the top and the complete kit with discs shown.

That's the kit I always use. It has fixed every horn I ever took apart. I have not needed anything else ever.

so your vibration discs and hammers were fine and a cleaning fixed them? The kit shown is for assembly of the 2 parts of the horn and not any internal parts. I got a LOT of nice 67-70 Horns and when I get the time(retirement) I'll try all the tricks to get them working before taking any of them apart. Thanks for your reply Royce.