BMC steering wheel anoraks, forward!

[JimK]

I've found a nice new-old-stock wheel that supposedly fits ADO16 1300 models, Marina and Maxi.

Anybody know if the Minor shares the same steering column end? It's exactly the sort of wheel I want and is from the same company so would be nice to have.

Ta.

[picky]

The minor wheel is easily removed if you have a 1 15/16" socket ( I think that is the right size) I would just try to fit the new wheel and see what happens!

[JimK]

I've taken the Minor wheel off, when I was working in the footwell fiddling with the brakes. I used a cold chisel, as had somebody before me...

Anyway, I don't yet own this possible new wheel and don't want to until I know it will fit

[chrisd87]

Well Basil Fawlty's ADO16 (1100) looks like it has the same wheel as the Minor! I don't know if the 1300 was different or if the wheel changed half-way through production though. The Marina and Maxi had different wheels to the Minor, but the column end might be the same - I've seen Minors fitted with Mini s/wheels.

Maybe measure the diameter of the column end, number and width of the splines and see if the seller can help you.

[JimK]

Well Basil Fawlty's ADO16 (1100) looks like it has the same wheel as the Minor! I don't know if the 1300 was different or if the wheel changed half-way through production though. The Marina and Maxi had different wheels to the Minor, but the column end might be the same - I've seen Minors fitted with Mini s/wheels.

Ta. Useful clues.

Maybe measure the diameter of the column end, number and width of the splines and see if the seller can help you.

Now that is a good idea. I usually work on the assumption that eBay sellers are utter Gumbys (which seems to hold a fair portion of the time) but measuring something and counting to a double-digit number shouldn't be impossible. I'll give that a try.

[Matt]

I think freemogs steering column is a minor/marina hybrid (or it might just be late trav/lcv with a locking column) its got a UJ on it, and a banjo type wheel....

[HarryMango]

The minor wheel is easily removed if you have a 1 15/16" socket ( I think that is the right size)

For anyone wishing to remove the steering wheel correctly , the socket size is actually 1,5/16AF on Minor 1000.

MM/S11 is 7/8 Whitworth but only a box spanner will fit.

Rog

[Onne]

Am I the only one with a Series II wheels that can be undone witha socket?

Eevn though mine is probabaly a MGTD(?) example

[Packedup]

ADO16 is, as far as I know, the same as:

Triumph Dolomite, 1300, 2000 and Stag
Mini
Metro
Minor

Horn connections may differ and require a bit of faffing, but in terms of physical fit I've put Triumph wheels on Minis and Metros, and Mini wheels on Triumphs. I'm 99.9% certain the ADO16 uses the same column fitting as the Mini, and so the Marina presumably uses the same too. So yes, you can use the new wheel

[JimK]

ADO16 is, as far as I know, the same as:

Triumph Dolomite, 1300, 2000 and Stag
Mini
Metro
Minor

Horn connections may differ and require a bit of faffing, but in terms of physical fit I've put Triumph wheels on Minis and Metros, and Mini wheels on Triumphs. I'm 99.9% certain the ADO16 uses the same column fitting as the Mini, and so the Marina presumably uses the same too. So yes, you can use the new wheel

Thanks, that's great to know.

I asked the eBay seller for details of the fitting, and they said that as the Minor is not listed as compatible they would not advise me to use that wheel.

Now to decide whether to buy it anyway...

[Packedup]

I asked the eBay seller for details of the fitting, and they said that as the Minor is not listed as compatible they would not advise me to use that wheel.

I wonder if the list takes into account the horn fitment? It could well be that the wheel you're looking at doesn't have a horn push built in, so is pointless for a Minor unless you really piddle about with wiring and switches.

Given the vast range of wheels for Minis (and various Triumphs, and I suspect Spridgets and possibly MGBs) that often have a horn push of sorts built in (certainly aftermarket Astrali and Mountney ones I've had have had a horm push) surely it's no great loss if you don't get the one you're looking at?

[JimK]

My current wheel doesn't have a horn push, either, I have a push-down toggle to the right of the steering wheel. In any case, I use the horn so rarely that it's not really a problem.

I like the look of the one I've seen because it's new-old-stock of the right period, it's the right diameter and it's dished to bring the rim a little closer to me (which will help when I get new seats).

But you're right, it's not the end of the world if I don't get it.

[dunketh]

My boss is for a Marina, Austin 1300 and late Mini (why late?)among others iirc. That fits perfectly.

Midget wheels do not fit, odd as you'd think they would.

[JimK]

Thanks dunketh. Nice to have firm information. I bought it on the strength of what Packedup said but you've reassured me.

[Packedup]

Midget wheels do not fit, odd as you'd think they would.

I don't know a great deal about Spridgets other than what I've picked up when thinking about getting one off Ebay, but I seem to recall reading something about a change to the steering around 72 or 73. I'm pretty sure the track rod ends changed around then (to the same type as I needed for my Triumph), so I guess the rack did, but not sure what implications that had on the column?

Like road wheels, I really must try and get this kind of info together and online. I've got the sort of mind that thrives on pointless cross referencing, but I don't have the design flare to present the info aesthetically on the net!

[chrisd87]

I remember from a letter in Practical Classics some time ago that the later (rubber bumper?) Midgets had collapsible columns. Maybe the column end changed when they moved from a solid one to collapsible?

[JimK]

The spline pattern is right, so that's good. The boss does have a couple of tabs that extend past the end of the splines, though.

I'm guessing that they are for indicator cancelling, but they foul the horn contact before the boss is tightly seated. I can take a few mm off the tabs without damaging or affecting any other part of the boss, so I'm going to do that.

Before anybody suggests that modifying critical parts is a bad idea: I've been betting my life on fettled bits of highly-stressed metal for years - when you're doing 50mph down a mountain you need to know that the modifications you made to the brake bridge and disc mount on your forks will not cause them to break...

[JimK]

Hmm. Turns out I don't need to fettle anything. Just tightened the column nut down and it moves the plastic contact slightly.

All now peachy. Anybody want a white banjo steering wheel?

[alex_holden]

Anybody want a white banjo steering wheel?

What tunes can you play on it?

[JimK]

bo-boom, tsshhhh...

Don't call us....