Chevrolet horn button screws

[M.Morren]

Hi,

What kind and size scews are used to hold down the horn button assembly on a Chev steering wheel? Mine has two short phillips head machine screws of different lengths which possibly have damaged the thread in the steering wheel (one of them will not stay in anymore). I'd like to get some new screws for mine but have no idea what thread size and type of head to look for.

Thanks!

[Mike Kelly]

Straining my memory but I think the originals are a raised head C/sunk head screw something like this. I am not sure of the correct thread type or diameter, the link is just a suggestion.

https://www.classicfasteners.com.au/...ess-2ba-x-1-2/

[Jordan Baker]

I believe there were two different kinds of screws that were used depending on the type of steering wheel. If it was the early molded wheel a pair of self threading screws were used with a course thread. These were the screws that came in my NOS GMC horn button kit. The other style were oval head machine screws. Off the top of my head I believe they were a 10-24 thread. I’ll have to check what I used on the wooden CMP steering wheel in my C15a

[Mike Kelly]

I looked at the horn button assembly on my C8.

I am 99% confident the screws are original factory fitted .... but who knows I can't be too certain ?

My hunch was correct, the screws are C/sunk head with a domed top, not flat. The pressed metal ring has holes that are shaped to accept the C/sunk shape.

Those round head screws in Jordan's NOS GMC kit look to be too short for a moulded GM CMP steering wheel plus the round head shape, just doesn't seem they would fit the pressed ring correctly.

[Mike Kelly]

........................................

[David Dunlop]

On the basis of the style of screw alone, the ones Marty has posted a photo of scream post war American replacements, if they came out of his C8A.

To my knowledge, the wartime rule of screws used in Canadian manufacturing was slot head. Post war, the USA went big time towards their Phillips head whereas Canada preferred their own square Robertson design.

Also the screw thread on Marty’s is far too fine when compared to the other photos of originals with a coarser thread. It may be possible to restore the threads chewed out by the replacement screws.

If the anchor material is Bakelite, clean it of dust and wipe the old hole with a thin coat of epoxy and let it cure a week. Then slowly screw in correct screws until they just snug up. If metal base material you can heat it and wipe with solder in the same way with same result.

David