Horn Bracket - Does this look right?

[dtuttle123]

Question on the passenger side horn bracket - does this look right?  It looks a little 'pieced together' to me - but it may be correct.  If not, does anyone have a picture of the correct bracket?  This is from an early 250SL.

I'm also looking for (1) horn grill in reasonable shape (just the grill) - this one is a little banged up.

Thanks!

[al_lieffring]

The stamped steel piece was originally welded to the frame, Did the car have the Kuhlmeister A/C I think the L shaped bracket was added to make space for the A/C compresor. On my 66 230 the right horn was discarded to make room for the A/C. I have seen other SL's with a Kuelmeister having both horns hanging on the left side bracket.

[dtuttle123]

Thanks Al -

The car never had A/C, but that doesn't mean that this horn wasn't from another 113 that did have A/C.  After reading your reply, I looked closer at the stamped metal (painted) bracket, and you are correct, it does show evidence of welds that have been ground off.

If I don't have A/C, and I want to return this to the original configration, do I just eliminate the (2) metal pieces that I think you refer to as the "L", and bolt the horn directly on the stamped metal bracket?  Or maybe just the piece close to the horn?

[al_lieffring]

there should be sound isolation strap between the horn and the bracket that will need to be welded back onto the frame.
The one in the photo is too thick, the original was several layers of thin straps spaced apatt with washers.
without this isolation strap the horn will be louder inside the car than out.

[dtuttle123]

Hi Al -

There is infact a sound isolation strap(s) with multiple plates.  This is the first bracket that is attached to the horn - the photo is from the top, so you can't see the multiple layers. 

So there is the horn, the isolation bracket, the middle bracket, and then the bracket that should be welded (but now bolted).  In it's original form, should there be (3) brackets?  You have confirmed an isolation bracket, and the one welded to the vehicle - what about the middle one?

[Ron]

Your set up looks perfect.

The middle one is missing on my car.  I would like to find one like it (I am intending to make one if I cannot) as it, hopefully, locates the horn down to the same position as the left horn.  

Does anyone know the M-B number for the middle bracket?  Or have one of these for sale?

Thanks,

Ron

[66andBlue]

Doug,
there is a middle bracket on the left (driver) side but not on the right (passenger) side.
It was installed in all cars with power steering (p/n 113 540 02 73) but is now NLA.
My 230SL came with power steering but the bracket looks quite different compared to the one in your picture.

[dtuttle123]

Thanks Alfred for spending the time to dig into this, and working with David Gallon to help me figure this out.  It's one of those seldom seen areas, and very difficult to get a good picture!!  My car has power steering but no air, so based on your and Dave's input, the right (passenger) side horn is attached to the 3-layer damping bracket, which is attached to the bracket & frame of the car - with no 3rd (middle bracket).  

Who knows where the the middle bracket came from - might have been something laying around the garage.  I'll save the middle bracket - may be important later (you know how that works!).  I think reattaching the horn may have to wait for spring - it was 13 degrees F this morning in New England!

[thelews]

Doug,
I could show you exactly what you need since we both have early 250s with no air.  However, that means I'd have to pull the 250 out of the garage, lower the Porsche 356 and take it out and then put the 250 on the rack and raise it to take pictures.  NOT GONNA HAPPEN!  At least, not until my 190 SL makes more room in the garage as it goes off to the shop for some more attention, then I can get her up in the air.

[dtuttle123]

John - it's clear that you have too many classic cars, or not enough bays in your garage. One option would be to sell me your Porsche 356 

Thanks for the offer of the photo - I think this is a spring project for me - too cold right now!

[66andBlue]

Doug,
here are photos of the middle bracket on the driver's side.  We are trying to get some repros made but it may take a bit of time.

[dtuttle123]

Thanks Alfred for the follow-up, posting the photos and spending your time to do the research!   

[thelews]

I took some pictures of my very original 250.  Don't know if this helps.  Both right and left.  Sorry for the blurriness.

[dtuttle123]

John - Thanks!!!  Yes, that does help!  You're 250SL doesn't have air, but does have power steering right?

[thelews]

John - Thanks!!!  Yes, that does help!  You're 250SL doesn't have air, but does have power steering right?

No air, power steering.  I just took the steering box out because it was leaking.

[Mike Hughes]

This would be a great time to replace that steering coupling, even if it seems tight at the moment - the part is not expensive at all and it is SO much easier to do when the steering box is out of the car!