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Excellent work, venturing into the deep dark mysterious world on XJ6 steering columns!
Bearings need a clean and relube, as I suspected.
No part # for that pesky little spring it seems, maybe a generic one of same size will suffice.
However once re-assembled, you should be able to test the electrical continuity btw the horn=push end of the rod & ground contact (copper ring) on the inner column.
Apologies for not mentioning the plastic bush for the spring is a split one. I forgot about that.
Cheers & beers.
Pete.
[QUOTE=adenshillito;2836472 i don't have the means to compress and seal the spring down and reapply the circlip.[/QUOTE]
Replacing the circle is a bit tricky, you may need a helper whilst someone compresses the spring.
Just make sure the inner shaft is pushed completely towards the bottom end. Maybe holding the outer column upright in a vise will assist.
Keep at it, your'e nearly there!
the little guard plate that is held on my three screws doesnt actually seem to prevent the column section falling through but maybe it doesnt need to ? when the circlip is back in place it will stay put but then what is the purpose of the semi cirlce guard plate then.
Yes, that probe (brass rod) can be an annoying little tosser. Mine was shorting on the inner column such that when turning the steering wheel, the horn sounded.
Basically, it made the car undriveable!
Redtriangle, I'm guessing one can't tell what's happening at the end of the brass rod unless the whole steering column is removed and taken apart.
Redtriangle, I'm guessing one can't tell what's happening at the end of the brass rod unless the whole steering column is removed and taken apart.
Pretty much, unfortunately.
What are your symptoms? No horn at all, or horn activating whilst turning your steering wheel?
It is worth dismantling it because the spring that contacts the internal column copper ring is likely to be the problem (broken or rusted up).
It needs lubrication (copper grease) along with the upper and lower conical bearings that are normally unserviceable.
The shims at the base of the column (after the circlip) determine the pre-load on the bearings, so don't lose or forget to replace them.
Last edited by redtriangle; Nov 17, 2025 at 05:12 AM.
Pretty much, unfortunately.
What are your symptoms? No horn at all, or horn activating whilst turning your steering wheel?
It is worth dismantling it because the spring that contacts the internal column copper ring is likely to be the problem (broken or rusted up).
It needs lubrication (copper grease) along with the upper and lower conical bearings that are normally unserviceable.
The shims at the base of the column (after the circlip) determine the pre-load on the bearings, so don't lose or forget to replace them.
Horn turning on intermittently. Just can't trust driving car with horn suddenly starts going off.
Horn turning on intermittently. Just can't trust driving car with horn suddenly starts going off.
Yep. Same problem I had.
Seems there is a short circuit at the point where the split plastic collar fits over the inner column secured by the brass/copper slip ring that makes contact with external spring contact fixed to the outer column.
This contact is permanently "live" with 12 volts.
Unfortunately, you will need to dismantle the column as described before. This means removing the whole column assembly from the car. Beware of yet more shims where the outer column is bolted to the cross-member near the dashboard.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
The good news is time spent fixing it means less time at the pub, the local betting shop wasting money on slow horses. or otherwise chasing fast women
