Horn "pad"...need help

Any thoughts on how to get the black rubber horn "pad" (the large one, not the small hard rubber button) out of the steering wheel without any damage? I need to clean the contacts inside of mine because the horn only works when I press hard at 4 o'clock. I suppose there is steel snap type ring inside, but I have tried to squeeze it together and then lift it out, but with no luck. I probably stop early because I don't want to damage either the steering wheel or the rubber pad. Thanks, KCJ

 

The horn "pad" on my 70 was real hard to get out, I broke a chunk of my steering wheel getting it out There is no snap ring it just sets in a groove in the wheel. If I had to do it again I think I would try a heat gun to soften the rubber a bit before I tried to get it out of the groove. A soapy solution might help as well I think patience might be the key. By the way my horn works real good now, and the wheel had a couple cracks on the spokes anyway. Good luck. Mike

 

Thanks for the information, I'll give it another try with the heat gun and see what happens. But, I'll probably chicken out and stop short of "pressing the issue" and not risking damage. Many thanks, KCJ

 

I used a small screwdriver after softening things up a bit with a droplight. Work against the button rather than the wheel. I did put a small tear in the button, but it was virtually invisible once I put things back together. The trick is DO NOT use the steering wheel as a fulcrum as this will usually chip a chunk out of it.

 

hope this pic will help it shows the ridge on the horn pad

 

for clarification
there is supposed to be a wire snap ring which holds the rubber button
fits inside the rubber button
see diagram below
FYI

 

Yep got that little snap ring thingy, it goes inside the rubber horn pad.

 

Many thanks for the great pix...I presume after all the contacts are cleaned and shined up, the horn will work better...will give it a try and report back! KCJ

 

Will this help you?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JEEP...ewItemQQcategoryZ33704QQitemZ8028000199QQrdZ1

 

Eddyt, many thanks for this! I go by A&P all the time. I live close to OKC. I bought several parts from him a few years ago when I restored a '49 CJ3A. He is good to work with. Thanks

 

Is that what you needed?