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TjdTaylor Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2011 Posts: 1727 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 3:58 pm Post subject: Installing a steering wheel |
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When installing a custom steering wheel (sutch as an ebay one) what do i need to look out for? Are al of the wheel adapters for it generic? Do i need to watch for clearance anywhere? _________________ 1974 SuperBeetle Build
Beetle Bums VW Club Member
Jamies74sb wrote: |
I can't see myself cutting up my super beetle . Maybe a oval or 61 or so with the small windows |
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cletus_zuber Samba Member
Joined: January 08, 2010 Posts: 2408 Location: Gladstone, Ore
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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Yes you need a VW specific adapter/spacer. a Grant wheel for instance without the adapter will leave you with about 1mm clearance between wheel and blinker switch. _________________ 1972 1302
HPMX 40's & 019 |
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baccaruda Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2012 Posts: 149
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:08 pm Post subject: |
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1973 Super here.
I bought the walnut wood Grant wheel with the VW install kit and it was surprisingly easy/intuitive to replace. |
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Veedubaya Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2012 Posts: 212 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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Cletus. Thanks for that advice.. |
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Chris Vellat Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2004 Posts: 1590 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2012 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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I've seen several, they vary wildly. Some look like they might stop a stray bullet, others bend with eye-sight, and there's several bolt-patterns. The horn contact rings and turn-cancelling is also something to keep in mind.
The stock wheel is around 400mm outside-to-outside - the commonly available customs ones are 330-360mm wheels.
The splines/nut changed from early style to late in `74 - later cars may be directly fitted with many other WCVW steerings wheels. Dish varies from design to design, but hub adapters, spacers, and disconnects all have a part in lever clearance.
Something to also keep in mind...I believe `72+ OEM wheels are collapsing...in addition to the column. _________________ (3) '69's
'67 Baja
'74 Super
'73 Bay
(2) '77's |
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TjdTaylor Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2011 Posts: 1727 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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Chris Vellat wrote: |
I've seen several, they vary wildly. Some look like they might stop a stray bullet, others bend with eye-sight, and there's several bolt-patterns. The horn contact rings and turn-cancelling is also something to keep in mind.
The stock wheel is around 400mm outside-to-outside - the commonly available customs ones are 330-360mm wheels.
The splines/nut changed from early style to late in `74 - later cars may be directly fitted with many other WCVW steerings wheels. Dish varies from design to design, but hub adapters, spacers, and disconnects all have a part in lever clearance.
Something to also keep in mind...I believe `72+ OEM wheels are collapsing...in addition to the column. |
what do you mean by collapsing? _________________ 1974 SuperBeetle Build
Beetle Bums VW Club Member
Jamies74sb wrote: |
I can't see myself cutting up my super beetle . Maybe a oval or 61 or so with the small windows |
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Chris Vellat Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2004 Posts: 1590 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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The opposite of expanding...looks just like expanded steel.
Found this off of Google images - over on the Pelican forums:
_________________ (3) '69's
'67 Baja
'74 Super
'73 Bay
(2) '77's |
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71superAS Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2012 Posts: 223 Location: New York
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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Slightly unrelated, but how does it work to install different generation Beetle wheels in other years? ie. my 71 has a 1972 'horn pad' wheel installed, but I want a 71 thumb ring wheel.
Is this a crazy process or just pull and replace? _________________ Ahoy! |
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Chris Vellat Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2004 Posts: 1590 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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71superAS wrote: |
Slightly unrelated, but how does it work to install different generation Beetle wheels in other years? ie. my 71 has a 1972 'horn pad' wheel installed, but I want a 71 thumb ring wheel.
Is this a crazy process or just pull and replace? |
For you it should be straight-forward...It will of course be less safe without the collapsible portion. _________________ (3) '69's
'67 Baja
'74 Super
'73 Bay
(2) '77's |
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Joel Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2006 Posts: 11099 Location: NSW Australia
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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71superAS wrote: |
Slightly unrelated, but how does it work to install different generation Beetle wheels in other years? ie. my 71 has a 1972 'horn pad' wheel installed, but I want a 71 thumb ring wheel.
Is this a crazy process or just pull and replace? |
Your 71 would have had the old 2 spoke wheel anyway, 72 was the first year of the new safety 4 spoke wheel.
The shaft splines are the same from 60 to mid 73 so all the wheels are interchangeable between then, but the 72-73 had the column stalk type wiper switch which interferes with the old 2 spoke wheels.
VW uses the same splines on all cars after mid 73 so air cooled, watercooled and even Porsche and Audi are interchangeable if they clear the wiper stalk.
As Chris mentioned the collapsable section was introduced for safety so the steering wheels stopped smashing peoples chests in during accidents and the new flat spoke horn pad was to stop your face being split open by the horn ring as well. _________________ Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle |
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Chris Vellat Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2004 Posts: 1590 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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Joel wrote: |
...VW uses the same splines on all cars after mid 73 so air cooled, watercooled and even Porsche and Audi are interchangeable if they clear the wiper stalk... |
I think around the late `80's VW actually changed the steering wheel splines, but not those of the column A factory spline adapter was used - my WCVW friend told me they're a pain to get off the column. _________________ (3) '69's
'67 Baja
'74 Super
'73 Bay
(2) '77's |
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71superAS Samba Member
Joined: February 02, 2012 Posts: 223 Location: New York
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:45 am Post subject: |
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Joel wrote: |
71superAS wrote: |
Slightly unrelated, but how does it work to install different generation Beetle wheels in other years? ie. my 71 has a 1972 'horn pad' wheel installed, but I want a 71 thumb ring wheel.
Is this a crazy process or just pull and replace? |
Your 71 would have had the old 2 spoke wheel anyway, 72 was the first year of the new safety 4 spoke wheel.
The shaft splines are the same from 60 to mid 73 so all the wheels are interchangeable between then, but the 72-73 had the column stalk type wiper switch which interferes with the old 2 spoke wheels.
VW uses the same splines on all cars after mid 73 so air cooled, watercooled and even Porsche and Audi are interchangeable if they clear the wiper stalk.
As Chris mentioned the collapsable section was introduced for safety so the steering wheels stopped smashing peoples chests in during accidents and the new flat spoke horn pad was to stop your face being split open by the horn ring as well. |
So you are saying I would need a new wiper switch? It has the 72 steering wheel installed now, but I want to put in a 71 wheel. I didn't realize the switch assemblies were different between the 2 years. I thought 71-72 was all the same minus the ugly steering wheel. _________________ Ahoy! |
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baccaruda Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2012 Posts: 149
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TjdTaylor Samba Member
Joined: July 04, 2011 Posts: 1727 Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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i have a 74. Ohwell i bought a momo adapter made for the car anyways. Also bought a quick release hub so stealing the car will be harder
*EDIT* GOING to buy. When i get money. Already have em in my ebay shopping cart. _________________ 1974 SuperBeetle Build
Beetle Bums VW Club Member
Jamies74sb wrote: |
I can't see myself cutting up my super beetle . Maybe a oval or 61 or so with the small windows |
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Joel Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2006 Posts: 11099 Location: NSW Australia
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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71superAS wrote: |
Joel wrote: |
71superAS wrote: |
Slightly unrelated, but how does it work to install different generation Beetle wheels in other years? ie. my 71 has a 1972 'horn pad' wheel installed, but I want a 71 thumb ring wheel.
Is this a crazy process or just pull and replace? |
Your 71 would have had the old 2 spoke wheel anyway, 72 was the first year of the new safety 4 spoke wheel.
The shaft splines are the same from 60 to mid 73 so all the wheels are interchangeable between then, but the 72-73 had the column stalk type wiper switch which interferes with the old 2 spoke wheels.
VW uses the same splines on all cars after mid 73 so air cooled, watercooled and even Porsche and Audi are interchangeable if they clear the wiper stalk.
As Chris mentioned the collapsable section was introduced for safety so the steering wheels stopped smashing peoples chests in during accidents and the new flat spoke horn pad was to stop your face being split open by the horn ring as well. |
So you are saying I would need a new wiper switch? It has the 72 steering wheel installed now, but I want to put in a 71 wheel. I didn't realize the switch assemblies were different between the 2 years. I thought 71-72 was all the same minus the ugly steering wheel. |
Nope not at all.
The only time there is a problem is if you try and put the old wheel on a 72 or 73 as the wiper stalk is in the way.
Your 71 has it on the dash and the 2 spoke wheel is the way the good Dr Ferdinand intended. _________________ Quick little bug, you got a Porsche motor in that?
1974 Germanlook 1303 2.5 Suba-Beetle |
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Chris Vellat Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2004 Posts: 1590 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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But, for those that want to add an earlier steering wheel (`61-`71 or close) to an early-spline "modular wiring harness car" AKA column-mounted wipers (`72-`74) you may bend the switches enough (with heat) to fit. _________________ (3) '69's
'67 Baja
'74 Super
'73 Bay
(2) '77's |
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b1pig Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2012 Posts: 297 Location: Ray City, Ga
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Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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my only recommendation, is that if you buy a Grant wheel, buy a Grant adapter. same for any other brand.
i just got my new Grant wheel in. same model i had in a CJ5. was happy with it, and felt like i needed another one. the adapter should be in next week, and it goes in. |
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Chris Vellat Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2004 Posts: 1590 Location: Seattle, WA
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 12:06 am Post subject: |
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b1pig wrote: |
my only recommendation, is that if you buy a Grant wheel, buy a Grant adapter. same for any other brand.... |
Why? It's just a round thing with some holes...There's a few common patterns, many quality hubs have several. The Grant products that have passed through my hands have not impressed me
Played with one of those spline adapters I mentioned earlier on a friend's `92 Passat GL 16V wagon today. _________________ (3) '69's
'67 Baja
'74 Super
'73 Bay
(2) '77's |
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b1pig Samba Member
Joined: March 06, 2012 Posts: 297 Location: Ray City, Ga
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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just a suggestion. like i said.
i'm not afraid to play with something to make it fit, but generally speaking, if its the same brand, and meant for the same product line, it will be a nearly idiot-proof install. my suggestion is to prevent the potential for headaches.
i had a grant wheel and adapter on a old jeep. i did the install and i was very satisfied with it. |
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donmurray Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2008 Posts: 841 Location: Frisco Texas
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject: |
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Summit Racing has a good selection of Grant wheels, spacer, and adapters. I needed the spacer to get more clearance between wheel rim and turn signal lever. FYI, I found a Grant wheel with a deep dish to it that, along with the spacer, gives me more knee room. Also did not like the wood rim wheel. It's just not as comfortable as the wheel with rim made of the usual rigid foam. _________________ 74 Ghia, with 2110 engine |
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