Formula Vee steering wheel question

[Rennsurfer]

I finally had a free day to work (paint & new cover) on my wheel. Now the dumb part... I forgot the exact sequence of the horn button assembly. After a failed Google search, I'm resorting to this post. I've got the wheel reinstalled onto the hub, just need to finish getting the springs, retainers, washers, and screws all in the correct order. My 1971 version is the top one in the photo, below.



Thanks in advance.

[Rennsurfer]

Disregard this thread... I figured it out.

[TexasTom]

Fred,
I think it goes: Wheel, then springs, then retainers, then washers, and finally the screws ... but all in the correct order!
Hope this helps!
Tom

[Rennsurfer]

You're right and thanks, Tom. In addition, the brass and plastic rings. Finally got the correct sequence, this morning. The wheel is now on the car and the horn works.

[jimi323]

very nice steering wheel Fred!
good choice!

[Diederick/DVK]

that interior pic turned out very cool with the new lens.
and god, your dash is so clean. very nice!

[j-f]

That's a classy addition to your dash Mark! Looks very good.
 

 

[javabug]

I bet that makes a big difference in the driving experience!

Did you do the cover yourself?  If so I might need some more info.

[Rennsurfer]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. Yes, I covered it myself. Nothing fancy... just a $9.95 generic wheel cover that my girlfriend found at my local AutoZone. A temporary fix till I can afford to get it stitched in leather. Called a few upholstery shops, last week, for quotes. It's not cheap, by any means. I really like having the smaller diameter, too. Seems to have raised the fun factor, driving the car. 

[javabug]

Nothing fancy... just a $9.95 generic wheel cover that my girlfriend found at my local AutoZone.

Ooh ok...looks like its really stitched up in the pic. 

[Dave Rosique]

The wheel looks really good Fred!

In the past I've used Wheelskins. The price and quality were very good. I found a link, but beware-- I have not bought one in about 10 years. Check out:    http://www.wheelskins.com/
The style I use they call "original"
Hope this helps somebody.

~DR.

[vwcab]

Nice dash with that steeringwheel Mark/Fred;but what is the size of the steeringwheel:14" or 15"?
  Peter

[Casey]

Looks perfect Mark.

[Rennsurfer]

Thanks, everyone. The steering wheel is 14 7/8".

Dave, the parts store where I buy my BMW parts is a Wheelskins dealer. But they're hard to install and it costs around $100 to get it stitched correctly.

Ooh ok...looks like its really stitched up in the pic. 

Good... mission accomplished. That's what I was hopin' for. I sealed up the seam along the inner-rim to create the illusion that it's actually covered. HAHA!!

[Jim Ratto]

looks nice Mark, that wheel fits the spirit of your car perfectly dude.

[Turtle001]

really cool steering wheel -- i'm diggin' those formula vee wheels

ps. this is mine formula vee steering wheel

[Rennsurfer]

Thanks, Jim & Turtle. What I was originally looking for was the middle one in this VW catalogue picture.



But I gave up and went with the one that I ended up with. Turtle, I really dig your steering wheel... looks good.

[CHR!S/DVK]

nice wheel fred and turtle! i really dig the formula v wheel!
i have a speedwell wheel quite similar to the one on the bottom of the pic.

i'd like to use this thread to ask a question on getting the horn button to work.
my wheel has a custom boss and i have a horn button on it like on this ad:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=747532

i have the horn mass(if that's the right word) wire coming from inside the steering rod in the hole on the back of the button
but the horn doesn't work. the problem is that the button does not make a good mass (-). the idea is that when you push the button the wire hits a the back plate and, i thing, connect to the spring.

does anyone have experience with connection such a button or can just help me out?
i am not able to make pictures now, for my car is still in the paint shop.. sorry

[Rennsurfer]

Chris, sorry that I can't help you with your horn button. I had the same problem with my previous (original to the car) factory wheel. Which is one of the reasons I was going for a different wheel. Someone put a wood screw in my other wheel and wrecked it in my opinion. It's nice having a working horn again. Very LOUD, too.

Check the ground wire (brown one that runs from steering column coupler up to wheel) for continuity throughout on both ends. If your test light does what it should, keep looking elsewhere, like fuse number one where the black-yellow (positive) wire runs from the horn to the fuse box. Good luck and I hope that you're able to sort it out soon. I can relate to how something so simple can result in utter frustration.

Is your Speedwell wheel a new one? I haven't seen the reproduction ones in person yet. I'm sure there will be a few at the upcoming VW events. I was going to get an original or F.F. one but didn't want to spend the money. I'm much happier with a factory wheel.

[cal-look 56]

Good job on that wheel.  Looks good with that dash.