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Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use
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56D500boy
Posted 2023-09-06 9:33 PM (#631747)
Subject: Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use



Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 10946
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Location: Lower Mainland BC		.
Honestly, I think I have spent way too much time screwing around with my 56 Dodge horn. I have posted about various issues several times. That said, I can't leave the topic without sharing what I have learned recently (Today)

To the point, while I was looking for a new 1604 921 spring loaded horn slip ring contact switch a couple of weeks ago, I bumped into an eBay auction for a "1957-66 Studebaker Cars Horn Bar / Ring ~ Horn Switch Plate ~ 1541949" that looked surprisingly like my 56 Mopar switch. There were several eBay auctions for this Studebaker horn switch but one said they had lots and that they only wanted US$16.95 with free shipping (Buy it now). So, being curious (and somewhat stupid), I bought one to compare to my 56 Dodge switch. I picked it up today.

The Mopar part in question is labeled in some parts diagrams as being in section 8-33-9 (but I think that it should be 8-33-90)



The PN for the 55-58 horn switch is 1571 283





Turns out that the 1571 283 also was the 1959 Mopar switch. There were minor changes (e.g. spade connector, more plastic parts) in 1960 and 1961 when the PN became 1972 391. But I think it is basically the same part (see images below).

Circling back to the "Studebaker" horn switch, the one I have in my hand was made by the Douglas Manufacturing Division (of ??), in Bronson Michigan (not that far west of Detroit). I tried it up against my 1571 283 on my 56 Dodge steering column and absolutely it would fit. It seems identical to the 56 Dodge switch. I would guess that the Mopar part was made by Douglas, just like the "Studebaker" part.

Link to the current (Sept 6, 2023) eBay auction for the Studebaker part:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294200384192

REFERENCE: To one of my recent Horn posts: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=75319&...

Parts listings and photos related to the above:



Edited by 56D500boy 2023-09-06 11:01 PM




(HornSwitchPN1571283_1959.jpg)



(HornSwitchPN1972391_1960.jpg)



(HornSwitchPN1972391_1961.jpg)



(HornSwitchPN1972391_1960+61_Back.jpg)



(HornSwitchPN1972391_1960+61_Front.jpg)



(56DodgeWith1571283HornSwitch.jpg)



(StudebakerHornSwitchOverTop56DodgeSwitch.jpg)



(StudebakerHornSwitch_BackSide.jpg)



(AStackOfStudebakerHornSwitchesOnEbaySept2023.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments HornSwitchPN1571283_1959.jpg (149KB - 378 downloads)
Attachments HornSwitchPN1972391_1960.jpg (149KB - 381 downloads)
Attachments HornSwitchPN1972391_1961.jpg (147KB - 371 downloads)
Attachments HornSwitchPN1972391_1960+61_Back.jpg (148KB - 383 downloads)
Attachments HornSwitchPN1972391_1960+61_Front.jpg (148KB - 386 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeWith1571283HornSwitch.jpg (146KB - 399 downloads)
Attachments StudebakerHornSwitchOverTop56DodgeSwitch.jpg (148KB - 384 downloads)
Attachments StudebakerHornSwitch_BackSide.jpg (143KB - 398 downloads)
Attachments AStackOfStudebakerHornSwitchesOnEbaySept2023.jpg (149KB - 399 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2023-09-08 7:19 PM (#631777 - in reply to #631747)
Subject: RE: Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use



Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 10946
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Location: Lower Mainland BC		.
In addition to the spring-loaded circular horn blowing switch, the other two important components of the horn activation system are the spring-loaded slip ring contact switch (1604 921) and the actual slip ring attached to the steering wheel.

The 1604 921 was such a good design that it was used on Mopars from 1955 to at least 1961 (and perhaps, beyond). Here is the switch and where it lives on the signal light activation frame:




The slip ring retained its basic design over the same period but there were some changes.

During the 1955-59 period, the slip ring PNs were:

1955 = 1605 266
1956-57 = 1642 310
1957 -58 = 1819 841
1959 = 1819 841 (same at the 1958 PN)

In a previous slip ring thread, ronbo97 said:

"Any contact ring from 55-59 will work. There are three different part numbers associated with this ring during that period. That is due to the gauge of the wire changing. The problem with the 18 gauge wire is that it broke way too easily. The 14 gauge wire ring is the best."

My 56 Dodge slip ring must have been the 1642 310. I recently replaced the original wire with a 14 gauge multi-strand wire.

I can't find any photos of the three 55-59 PN slip rings above on the internet (e.g. eBay, Mopar Mall, Hiltop Mopar.) Here is my slip ring prior to the wire upgrade:



After the 14 gauge wire upgrade:



The later slip rings were

1960 = 1972 250 and
1961 = 1972 208

Those I could find:



Edited by 56D500boy 2023-09-08 11:09 PM




(HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1955-58_CataogListings.jpg)



(HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1959_CataogListings_1819841.jpg)



(HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1960_PN1972250_CatalogListing.jpg)



(HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1960_PN1972250.jpg)



(HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1961-62_PN1972208_CataogListing.jpg)



(HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1961-62_PN1972208.jpg)



Attachments
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Attachments HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1955-58_CataogListings.jpg (149KB - 368 downloads)
Attachments HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1959_CataogListings_1819841.jpg (149KB - 408 downloads)
Attachments HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1960_PN1972250_CatalogListing.jpg (149KB - 392 downloads)
Attachments HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1960_PN1972250.jpg (145KB - 379 downloads)
Attachments HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1961-62_PN1972208_CataogListing.jpg (149KB - 390 downloads)
Attachments HornContactSlipRingWithWire_1961-62_PN1972208.jpg (146KB - 368 downloads)
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BUCKET
Posted 2025-10-24 12:18 AM (#641787 - in reply to #631747)
Subject: Re: Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use


Regular

Posts: 73
2525
Without taking your steering wheel off , would you have a photo of the slip ring / horn contact installed .
Does the finger 8-50-126 hold it in place .
I need to get one and have found some on ebay but would like to one installed .
I have a 58 steering wheel i would like to put back on my 58 Dodge Custom Royal and it doesn't have one .
Cheers,
Bucket .
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56D500boy
Posted 2025-10-24 2:22 AM (#641788 - in reply to #641787)
Subject: Re: Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use



Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 10946
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Location: Lower Mainland BC
BUCKET - 2025-10-23 9:18 PM
Without taking your steering wheel off , would you have a photo of the slip ring / horn contact installed .
Does the finger 8-50-126 hold it in place .


Yes:



REFERNCES:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=80307&...

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=79876&...

Good Luck

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BUCKET
Posted 2025-10-24 4:55 PM (#641791 - in reply to #631747)
Subject: Re: Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use


Regular

Posts: 73
2525
Thanks Dave for the photo and links .
I forgot to mention i have Manual Steering and from your links it seems i don't need the slip ring .
So where does the wire come from that goes up to the horn blowing switch , the one on the top of the steering wheel .
Someone has installed a later model steering column and steering wheel , i want to go back to the original 58 column and steering wheel .
The 58 steering wheel i have won't fit on whatever column is in the car now .



(Steering Wheel 1.JPG)



(Steering Wheel 2.JPG)



Attachments
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Attachments Steering Wheel 1.JPG (237KB - 63 downloads)
Attachments Steering Wheel 2.JPG (240KB - 69 downloads)
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dels56
Posted 2025-10-24 5:51 PM (#641793 - in reply to #631747)
Subject: Re: Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 454
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On my 56 Dodge “without power steering” the Black horn wire runs from the horn relay through a hole in the cap on the lower end of the steering box. There is a little O Ring the size of the outer diameter of the wire that retains the lub in the steering box. ( off subject. I use white lithium grease in the steering box). The horn wire runs up through the centre of the steering shaft and connects to the Horn Blowing Switch via a 0.187” bullet connector on the end of the wire. About 3” of wire protrudes through the shaft to allow for the 3-3/4 turns of the steering wheel. I replaced this wire as the O.E. wire was looking pretty tired as were all the rest of the car’s wires.
Hope this helps.

Del
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BUCKET
Posted 2025-10-25 5:11 PM (#641798 - in reply to #631747)
Subject: Re: Steering Wheel Horn Blowing Switch 1955-61 Info for future use


Regular

Posts: 73
2525
Thanks Del .
It makes sense now , i took the Chrome horn ring off the steering wheel that is in the car now and there is a wire coming out of the shaft that connects to the Horn Blowing Switch .
The wire that exits the steering box goes up and connects to the wiring loom on the Firewall , i guess this then connects to the horn relay .
The reason i got a bit confused was that the Chrysler Valiants i have had in the past still had the horn slip ring even thought they were manual steering ,
The 58 Steering Box and Column i have will need the wire replaced as there is only a little bit hanging out of the Steering Box and none up through the Column .
What gauge wire did you use ?
Cheers,
Bucket .
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