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smaller steering wheel

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Mack

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Any suggestions on replaceing my stock 76B steering wheel with a smaller, sportier type? Does a smaller one make low speed turning any harder? would the top arch be in the way of the gauges? Any help with brands and costs? Thanks, Mack /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Hi Mack, I can't answer all your questions, but there is a smaller steering wheel on ebay right now.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
14" is about the smallest you want to go. The steering effort is increased over the stock 15" but I find it managable on my GT with 185/70R14 tires.
 
I have 185/60-14 tires and a 13" wheel and have no problems. I bought a Mountney. Whether it hides the gauges would depend on your height and seat adjustment...
I would have bought a 12" if I could have found a nice one.
 
hehee...a 12" wheel would certainly eliminate the need to go to the gym for upper body exercise /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I put a 14" wood Mountney on my 78B a few years ago to replace the ugly “rubber” stock 15” steering wheel. But a short time later I ended up replacing it with one of those really sweet 1" thick 15" wood wheels that Moss sells. It's kind of funny but I can never say I didn't like the feel of the 14" wheel while driving, but the reason I replaced it was because I thought that it had horrible build quality and was kind of cheap looking.

Thinking back I didn’t think the 14” obstructed the Tach & Speedo gauges, but it did kind of block the view of the other gauges (oil, temp, fuel & clock).

But whatever way you go its really up to what you like.
 
I had a 12" wheel on my Europa and didn't find the extra effort objectionable. Of course that was a light car. The reason I change wheels is for leg/knee clearance so I really don't care what other problems I end up with since legroom is the goal for my 6'-4" frame...
 
One of the POs of my '76 'B replaed the stock wheel with a leather wrapped 15" LeCarra. The over all look is "ok", but I don't particularly care for the slotted screws it uses. I personally prefer the look of hex/allen head screws on the steering wheel. The only other thing I can object to is the wheel being 15". I feel like I'm driving a truck with it. It seems disproportionately large for the car. I plan on changing it out for a 13" or 14" wheel eventually. At 5' 10" 180lbs I also have limited leg room with a 15" wheel; the thigh to wheel clearance, while ample for normal driving, can get to be a little cramped while entering the car and during certian driving manuevers.

With the amount of effort it takes me to steer the car with this 15" wheel, switching to a 14" or 13" wheel can't possibly be any worse that trying to maneuver my last truck that had 195/60-14s with a 13" steering wheel and no power steering.
 
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