Horn Button Rubber Spring Replacement for 1967.5 SP(L) 311 / 1967 SR(L) 311
by Ian (Kohaku)
A potential cure for intermittent horns (e.g., horns that sound clearly in the garage with the engine off, may be stifled some while the engine is on, and may be near absent while the car is in operation, especially at speed).
Required Part:
- Nissan part number 48424-10400 [Spring - Horn Button (to Sep-67)], a successor thereto or a facsimile thereof.
Advertised Sources for the Required Part (as of 1 Nov 2020):
- Rallye Enterprises, Ltd. (rallye@datsunroadster.com), described as “484-16 HORN BUTTON Rubber SPRING” at www.datsunroadster.com (under New Parts/Interior, Misc.); and
- Sports Imports (ross.sportsimports@gmail.com), described as “Horn Button Seal” at www.sportsimports.ca (under Rubber/Roadster Rubber).
Tool Recommendations:
- 4mm to 5.5mm slotted screwdriver;
- #1 size Philips or JIS cross-point screwdriver;
- 15/16” deep socket (and ratchet to drive the socket (likely ½” or 3/8”));
- Torque wrench which accepts the 15/16” deep socket and has coverage within 5.0 ~ 7.0 kg-m (36.2 ~ 50.6 lbs.-ft.) unit range; and
- Felt-tip marker pen.
Steps:
- With the car off, disconnect the car’s battery (negative cable first then positive cable, keeping the removed cables apart and away from conductive materials).
- Turn the key in the ignition switch to the “Garage” position.
- Rotate the steering wheel such that the steering wheel is 180 degrees from its centered, resting position.
- Insert slotted screwdriver into the narrow (~6mm) notch between the horn button cap assembly and the horn base assembly.
- Twist the slotted screwdriver to remove the horn button cap assembly.
- Use the felt-tip marker pen to draw a vertical line down the (now visible) middle of the end of the steering column and across the bottom of the (now visible) contact plate which surrounds it. Add a down arrow on the contact plate for further orientation.
- Remove the steering wheel fixing nut (using the 15/16” deep socket) and related lock washer from the steering column.
- Partially lift the horn base assembly from the steering wheel and, using the Philips or JIS cross-point screwdriver, remove the screw fastening the ring terminal of the short black wire to the steering wheel’s center.
- Remove the old horn button rubber spring (or its stead) and install the new horn button rubber spring by nestling it in the bottom of the horn base assembly with the smooth side facing the driver and the footed side facing the steering wheel’s center.
- Using the Philips or JIS cross-point screwdriver, re-attach the screw with the wire’s ring terminal to the steering wheel’s center respecting the orientation of the horn base assembly at removal (as guided by the felt tip marker’s lines and arrow) – the horn base assembly has a pair of tabs which seat into the steering wheel’s center on either side of the steering column.
- Restore the horn base assembly, the lock washer and the fixing nut over the steering column.
- Using the torque wrench, confirm torque for the steering wheel fixing nut to be between 5.0 ~ 7.0 kg-m (36.2 ~ 50.6 lbs.-ft.).
- Restore the horn button cap assembly by pressing same over the horn base assembly with the same orientation as at removal.
- Reconnect the car’s battery (positive cable first then negative cable).