Steering Wheels

[robbiesmith]

Now my Traveller has passed her MOT I am beginning to look at 'improvements' and would like to start with the Steering Wheel.

Mine is cracked and the boss has been fixed with some very obvious glue so I'm looking to replace both if possible so my question is will the more attractive earlier 3 spoke wheel fit on my 1969 car?

[barrie102]

Simple answer, Yes.

[robbiesmith]

Thanks Barrie

All the best,

[carlosramalho]

but will be not original!

[mike.perry]

A 3 spoke retro fit is quite common. The flat 3 spoke will not fit as it fits a keyway not a spline

[robbiesmith]

[frame][/frame]

Purchased on eBay. The vendor made no mention of this damage to the wheel and no photo of the back of the wheel was shown. If the vendor had been more honest I probably would not have bought this wheel.

However, the damage will be largely invisible with the wheel fitted so it may not be an issue PROVIDED that the wheel will still fit despite this damage. I won't get a chance to try until the weekend, meanwhile - Experts - any comments - will it still fit ok? Or will I have to leave shocking feedback and register a dispute?

Thanks fellas,

[ASL642]

I should certainly email the vendor with a photo pointing out that no mention of the damage was shown on Ebay. If he refuses a refund then take it further.

[robbiesmith]

Thanks for that regaliaqueen. I have already done just that.

The vendor claims to be selling the wheel on behalf of another and to be unaware of the damage. He has offered a full refund if the wheel is returned (but I would still be out of pocket for two ways of hefty postage) and a partial refund if I keep it.

I'm just wondering how critical that inner radius is. Fitting it (with a dab of paint to hide the damage) would be the ideal outcome. So the question is 'Just how critical is that radius?'

[mike.perry]

Try tapping the dent out. As long as it fits on the spline it should be ok. Don't forget to centre the steering before you take the old wheel off then you will hopefully put the new one on approx square

[fussyoldfart]

As it happens I have my 2 spoke wheel off just now to replace the signal switch. It certainly appears to me that the hub of the 3 spoke wheel is a much larger diameter than the 1 3/4" of the later one. I'd be more concerned about how it will look next to the housing for the switch.[frame][/frame]

[mike.perry]

No problem, I have changed my 2 spoke for a 3 spoke and everything fits fine.

[robbiesmith]

'Don't forget to centre the steering before you take the old wheel off then you will hopefully put the new one on approx square'

Thanks mike.perry - a very good point. And thanks for your input too, fussyoldfart, (love that user name!)

[d_harris]

another quick hint. Dont undo the nut totally before yanking the wheel off the splines. You might find yourself with a rather uncomfortable bash to the face if you do....

[ASL642]

... are you speaking from experience Dan?

[robbiesmith]

Thanks Dan, I'll take that advice.

[IaininTenbury]

If you find a piece of pipe that just fits loosely inside the damaged end of the wheel and fit this in a vice, you can place the wheel over it and carefully tap (panel beat) either side of the dent with the dent pressed against the pipe. This should raise the dent and get it back something like round again without too much work. Though as you say it will be virtually unoticable once fitted, but like most things like that, if you know about it it annoys you...
Yes, no probs in fittingthat wheel up to the indicator stalk cover - thats how they originals were done till '64.

[robbiesmith]

Thanks IaninTenbury, I'll have a go at that.

Now folks, another question: What is the size of socket needed for the retaining nut?

I'm going to have to get one as I have nothing anywhere near big enough. It looks like a big Whitworth to my untrained eye. But what size and what would be the nearest Metric/AF equivalent?

Thanks fellas,

[twincamman]

It's 3/4" Whitworth or 1 5/16" AF.

[d_harris]

... are you speaking from experience Dan?

Witness to the aftermath....

[robbiesmith]

Thanks twincamman.