Re: New Rim Blow switches was...Rim Blow horn; was Re: IML: Electric locks, speed control.

["Chris Boekhout" <charger69@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In the Dec '01 Mopar Collector's Guide there is an article on new,
reproduction Rim Blow horn switches. Yes, fellow Imperialists, the ones used
on the 'Cuda's, Chargers, Road Runners,etc. also fit our Imperials.  These
are not too difficult to change, I've transferred a "good" used one from one
steering wheel to another, the worst part was removing the "petrified" old
one, I literally had to "CHIP" it out of the little trough it sits in....

Here's the contact info for the new ones,

Northwest Performance

12636 Waddell Creek Rd.

Olympia,WA 98512

phone: 360-943-6633





I have no Idea how much he wants for them, but these usually bring $100 plus
on ebay for NOS ones...

Chris
 72 Lebaron...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Elijah Scott" <imperial1971@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, July 17, 2002 1:10 PM
Subject: Rim Blow horn; was Re: IML: Electric locks, speed control.


> --- Kevin Pacheco <kevin50187@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > also, any other people on this list that are having
> > problems with their
> > horn?  the horn does work, but the "ring" around the
> > steering wheel is all
> > hard, and i think that might be the problem, how
> > would i fix that?\
>
> Your '71 Imperial has the "Rim Blow" horn, which means
> there's a soft (hopefully!) strip of rubber around the
> inside of the steering wheel which the driver squeezes
> to blow the horn.  It's a pretty neat feature, and I
> have vivid memories of my Grandmother's white knuckles
> clutching the steering wheel while the horn blared on
> her '71 Imperial.  But I digress . . .
>
> Unfortunately, heat and sunshine cause this rubber
> strip to harden over the years.  When the strip
> becomes hard and brittle, you can no longer squeeze it
> to make contact for the horn switch.
>
> You basically have three options: 1. Replace the
> steering wheel with a new or good used steering wheel.
>  These are hard to find.  2. Chrysler did make a
> replacement "strip" for the Rim Blow wheel, but these
> are hard to find, and even harder to install.  3. Find
> a creative way to mount a horn button.
>
> On one of my '71s, I placed a generic horn button on
> the back of the steering wheel.  I used one of the
> screws that holds the center pad in place to also hold
> the button in place, so no holes were drilled and the
> button can be removed without damage to the car.  It
> was VERY easy to splice the wires in -- just remove
> the two screws for the center pad, and the wiring is
> right there.  Again, this can also be done so that no
> damage is done to the steering wheel.
>
> Another good Imperial challenge!
>
> Elijah
> 1965 Imperial LeBaron
> 1970 Imperial LeBaron
> (3) 1971 Imperial LeBarons
>
>
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