TheSamba.com :: View topic - Whats the difference between these two steering wheels?

Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:18 am

Is it the size of the spline hole?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=891312

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=894071

Why is one not for a split?

I have a near mint one on my 53 Oval that I don't want.

How can I guage what price to sell it for and will it fit a split if it's on my 53 Oval? Cheers.

This is mine.....

cheers.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:53 am

I think the hole size is the same but the splines are different (coarse vs. fine). I would guess that yours should be the same as a split.
Regards,
Jim

Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:55 am

Since both of those steering wheels have later 3x3 part numbers, neither of them are for splits. They both have fine splines. A split wheel would have coarse splines.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 12:45 pm

Both could be installed in a split. Technically. The later fine splines work with the earlier steering shafts. But both are no split parts and your 1953 one isn´t either. A split ones outer ring where you grab it has a kind of "thumb rail" like the batwing ones have. They where not that round.
At least in mine.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:22 pm

So now i'm confused! Is it just from an early bug then? Like a 60?

I don't want to advertise as the wrong thing!

Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:35 pm

I am not sure when they changed the design for the ring but I would had expected that a 1953 still had the earlier style.
Looking at the pic, you have an export model anyway.
So your three spoke was added somewhen later. Maybe its late 50s or even 60s.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:37 pm

Yeh, I have the OG Batwing, but as the horn push was missing I put the 3 spoke one on for the UK MOT.

I want to put the OG Batwing back on and sell the 3 spoke!

My Bug is a Sept 53 RHD Deluxe.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:43 pm

Well, so then pull it of and take a look at the number and the splines.
That will tell you more.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:46 pm

Jake,
I think usariemen makes a good point. You need to take your 3-spoke off and see if it is coarse or fine splines. I have never tried to put a fine spline wheel over a coarse spline shaft but I have done the opposite, (coarse spline wheel over a fine spline shaft on my '56 and it does not fit).

If yours is coarse spline it appears that it will not fit fine splines shafts and would only work on early cars.

regards,
Jim

Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:49 pm

As I said, fine spline ones can be put into early cars.
So this one could be late.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:05 pm

Cheers guys, will look tomorrow. Many thanks.

Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:05 pm

33woodie wrote: I have never tried to put a fine spline wheel over a coarse spline shaft but I have done the opposite, (coarse spline wheel over a fine spline shaft on my '56 and it does not fit).

There are no Pre '59 "fine spline" steering shafts. "Fine" spline shafts were introduced on the 1960 model. Do you have a 1960-later shaft on your '56?

Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:08 pm

usariemen wrote: Both could be installed in a split. Technically. The later fine splines work with the earlier steering shafts. But both are no split parts and your 1953 one isn´t either. A split ones outer ring where you grab it has a kind of "thumb rail" like the batwing ones have. They where not that round.
At least in mine.

Agreed. Look at the photo below, that is a 1949-55 wheel. See how the outside grip has a dished profile. These wheels will have a 24-tooth "coarse" splined hub

1956-later standard wheels have a rounded profile. These wheels will have a 48-tooth "fine" splined hub

Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:14 pm

Does he mean it's not for split screen vans rather than split bugs (he goes on to say it's for bugs or Fridolins)?

I sold mine for £150 GBP - it is a later standard model wheel. It has since been professionally restored and last I saw it was for sale for £450 - I don't know if it sold though. $550 for NOS would therefore look like a bargain. $1500 maybe slightly overpriced. Maybe yours would be £300 if in original unrestored condition?

Just my thoughts.

Dave

Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:17 pm

Look for turn signal canceling ring (or screw holes for it)!

Tue Apr 06, 2010 8:09 am

RareAir wrote: 33woodie wrote: I have never tried to put a fine spline wheel over a coarse spline shaft but I have done the opposite, (coarse spline wheel over a fine spline shaft on my '56 and it does not fit).

There are no Pre '59 "fine spline" steering shafts. "Fine" spline shafts were introduced on the 1960 model. Do you have a 1960-later shaft on your '56?

I think I'm confused. Didn't you just say in your next post, 3 minutes later that 49-55 had a 24 tooth hub and that '56 and later had a 48 tooth "fine spline hub"?

regards,
Jim

Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:05 am

33woodie wrote: RareAir wrote: 33woodie wrote: I have never tried to put a fine spline wheel over a coarse spline shaft but I have done the opposite, (coarse spline wheel over a fine spline shaft on my '56 and it does not fit).

There are no Pre '59 "fine spline" steering shafts. "Fine" spline shafts were introduced on the 1960 model. Do you have a 1960-later shaft on your '56?

I think I'm confused. Didn't you just say in your next post, 3 minutes later that 49-55 had a 24 tooth hub and that '56 and later had a 48 tooth "fine spline hub"?

regards,
Jim
i will clarify

the steering shafts were all coarse spline up through 59
but starting in mid 1956 they changed to the fine spline hub in the steering wheel so there would be more adjustment.

so as someone mentioned earlier, you can put a fine spline wheel on a coarse spline shaft. but not the other way around.

Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:16 am

Thanks for the clarification :(

regards,
Jim

Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:49 am

I think the real difference between these 2 wheels is $950.

Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:14 pm

drscope wrote: I think the real difference between these 2 wheels is $950.

Guess so! Ha.

I will take the wheel off and take lots of pics. Many thanks all.

Still a tad confused though!