Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All
Yet again I'm using this font of knowledge, my question is regarding the Horn push.
I have read some of the conversations on this, but they have not clarified my older horn push problem, (that was not working when I got the car, early 59 Traveller) as the spring does not match any other I have seen, see photo 6.
If I short the nipple on the horn wire to earth the horn works, so it is purely a mechanical question, what spring do I need?
Photo 1 is the horn push from my traveller (top) and a much later spare (below) I have.
Photo 2 here the horn pushes laid out on the parts list.
Photo 3 shows the difference in size of the two inserts that fit into the steering column, the spring on the longer, see through plastic, does not fit on my old darker one as it is a slightly bigger diameter.
Photo 4 and 5are the newer one in the spare steering column
Photo 6 this little spring was adrift when I stripped it down s do not know where it goes. Could it sit on the dark plastic and push against the circlip on the nipple? This little spring looks like it might have a piece missing from 1 end.

The car is now off SORN and insured, just need to sort out a few more bits then I’m on the road.

Thanks in advance[frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

I'm not sure why you have dismantled the contact which was in your column? These work exactly the same way regardless of which steering wheel and hornpush you have - the two wheels are interchangeable. You don't have to do anything to the column in order to swap steering wheels.

I am doubtful that the black insulator you show in your picture is a correct part. If you look at the two insulators in my picture mine is different and the same spring fits the black and also the clear type. I don't think the small coil spring in your picture is anything to do with the hornpush.

My advice would be to correctly assemble the column wire and insulator (use the clear plastic one). Then simply fit the steering wheel and re-assemble the correct hornpush and fit that. All should then be well.[frame][/frame]

Hi ManyMinors
Thanks for your reply.
Yes, your dark insert is a longer shaft and narrower neck, I tried the longer lighter one from the later model and it is too long, I tried the whole newer unit in and it is a different size and fitting in the steering wheel and I want to keep the older one.
See how different shapes the steering wheels are in the picture.
You asked why I dismantled it, It was not working! someone had tried fitting indicators (Badly) Trafficators on one arm and a second taped to the column with none working flashers and a HORN press I should have realised then that there was a reason for another wire to the horn terminal.
Thanks
Reg[frame][/frame]

What makes you think that the clear plastic insulator is "too long"? The column is hollow surely so I wouldn't expect the length to be a problem. Can you see what is stopping the insulator from going in? You mention having a spare column which is intact, so why not check that - or even use it if you cannot work out what the problem is with your existing one? No, you cannot fit the late type hornpush into the early type steering wheel but either steering wheel should fit the column AND operate the horn if you use the correct hornpush because - as far as I'm aware - there is no difference to the column itself. Certainly I have fitted an early steering wheel and hornpush to my daughter's late model Minor 1000 and did nothing at all to the fittings in the column in order for the horn to work.

You say your car is an early 1959 car. During 1959 the hornpush changed from being at the end of the indicator stalk to the steering wheel centre. Is it possible that your car has been modified and has some parts of one model and some parts of another? That might explain things a bit?

Hi all
Did try to thank you all when the system was off line then forgot, well thanks all, now all working, it did work with the other plastic tube.
The reason I wanted to keep the original steering wheel is that I like the spoke wheel.
Thanks
Reg