Tutorial: Replacing the factory horn

[HerrZ]

Hi.

I installed the Strebel compact horn today. I used the factory bracket. works/sounds great.

[mvaldes]

Congratulations, it's a good upgrade and may actually keep you out of an accident. I'm convinced that mine has.

[smart fortimo]

Nothing like having a healthy horn to blast when you need it!

[SubSlr88]

After a painful and futile four hours last month of trying to install a replacement air horn thru the fender well, I gave up. It was agony trying to work in the cramped space, but after I got it in place finally, I was unable to get the horn mounted vertically. The closest I could come was about 30 degrees off vertical. My understanding is this will 'kill' the horn eventually.
I retreated and last week I followed Evilution.co.uk instructions and pulled the front of the car off. Only took a hour and it was all removed. Installed the horn on the original bracket (in front of it) using a modified 3" "L" reinforcing bracket I picked up at Lowe's. Cut one leg of the "L" off short - just past the first hole - and bolted (1/4 X 1") it to the hole on top of the horn's mount. Long leg of the "L" got the outer hole enlarged enough to accept a 5/16th inch X 3/4 inch bolt with locking nut. That mounted to the original bracket in the same area as the stock horn. Tight fit, so had to leave the 5/16th loose until everything was in place. Set it up vertically and then tightened that down.
Another 45 minutes for getting the front back on and I was done. About 3 hours total counting fabricating the "L" bracket and lunch. And I think in the future I could get the front off in about 30 minutes, even working by myself as I was.
Love the new sound~! The new horn is a Stebel Nautilus.

[starlord]

through the fender well?

yikes!

i just did mine from the front, reach right in and boom easy to do in a few minutes..

as long as what you end up with works well, then congrats!

[ControlC]

Installed a WOLO Bad Boy yesterday through the wheel well. It's not that hard but it much easier with two people. That way one hand can come in from the top and one hand through the wheel well.

I fashioned an extension bracket from some strapping to attached to the original horn bracket. This mounted the Bad Boy higher and allowed it to mount vertical.



Side view showing slight offset


The extension bracket attached to original bracket. Note: Place Bad Boy mounting bolt in bracket before mounting the bracket.


Bad Boy mounted.


Hope this is some help to the next person who does an install.

[Smart Enuf]

The Stebel saved me and my smart again yesterday from some fool with a cellphone stuck to his ear and more money than brains. Had to honk at the Mercedes changing into my lane without looking. Poor b*&*stard turned white when I blasted him with the airhorn. Even the two cops at the nearby corner looked impressed and pointed. The mini airhorn is one of the best add-ons for the smart (another being the cruise control).

[starlord]

hey great job on the strap for the horn, nice pics, looks good!

and congrats on saving your smart arse with a well-placed tone ... ugh you would think our Mercedes brothers would all have a hands-free car kit or at least a set of earbuds instead of sticking said thing to their ear... gahhh that is *so* before bluetooth ... shame on them for being so behind the times heheh... should be forced into driving a motorcycle or scooter for 6 months so they can respect their fellow motorists hehe...

[mvaldes]

[QUOTE=ControlC;247718]
I fashioned an extension bracket from some strapping to attached to the original horn bracket. This mounted the Bad Boy higher and allowed it to mount vertical.

I found that a gentle pull upwards on the end of the existing bracket rotated it up enough to let me mount mine vertically (as in your picture) but without the need for an extension. (I also went through the wheel well.)

[fastturb]

Hi, if anyone wants to get rid of the oem/stock horn you swapped out - I'll pay the shipping to PA. THANKS.