1967 S3SE

[roebuck]

Hello,
My S3 is causing me a few aches and pains.
When you turn and pull back a small amount the steering wheel the horn goes off.
I have removed the centre badge giving access to the nut.
This is very different from the S4 system.
I only have the S4 workshop manual and am worried that if I remove the wheel what I am going to find.
The whole black plastic fitting on the wheel is spring loaded not just the centre.
Any one pulled one of these apart?
Help please.
Rob

[ericbushby]

Hi Rob.
It is not necessary to remove the steering wheel to fix this.
There needs to be a small gap between the moving part of the steering wheel hub and the fixed part. Look at it from the side.
In order to increase the gap you can slacken the telescopic joint half way down the steering column shaft by undoing the two clamp bolts or slacken the universal joint at the bottom of the steering column shaft near the steering rack.
Then you should be able to pull the steering wheel back a little.
Hope this helps
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[rgh0]

Hi Rob

It sound like you have the later Sprint / Plus 2 S 130 horn fitting as the original S3 was the same as the S4 as far as I am aware.

cheers
Rohan

[roebuck]

Hi Rohan,
The wheel is different to my S4 in that the lotus badge in the middle of the steering wheel boss pops out leaving the nut exposed the rest of the plastic fob.It is spring loaded and does not come off.
My S4 has the button like a spring loaded clear biro part.
Think I should look at the Eric cure.
Will report
Thanks,
Rob
South Yarra Vic

[rgh0]

Hi Rob the issue is almost certainly the hub of the wheel contacting the steering column but may also be a fault inside the mechanism if it occurs when pulling up on the wheel

The S3 should have the same arrangement as the S4 but it sounds like you have the later one from your description. The moving plastic centre cover that acts as the horn is held in place by 3 pins at 12, 4 and 8 o'clock and can be gently levered of with a small screw driver to reveal the actual horn mechanism and central nut

Photos of tte later horn from my 73 Plus2

cheers
Rohan

[roebuck]

Hello,
Tried Eric's method and moved the wheel about 1.5mm out and problem is resolved.
Thank you all for your prompt help.
Rob

[ericbushby]

Hi Rob,
Good to hear, thanks for the feedback.
Eric
1967 S3SE DHC