TheSamba.com :: View topic - Steering Wheels

Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:15 pm

Ok, I have been reading threads on steering wheel upgrades / replacements. I have not been able to drive our beloved Schultzie for three years and these steering wheel threads got me to thinking.
I have had my right leg amputated, and with my prosthetic I can not safely get from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal with the stock steering wheel. it seems to me that a steering wheel with a smaller diameter and even more what I consider "rise" (a handle bar reference) might do the trick. Any ideas on a smaller VW steering that may fit the bill.
1990 GL tin top manual power steering Green

Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:24 pm

SteveVanB wrote: Make your own 8)

Its still in project form, but you get the idea :wink:

You know, if you make a shifter out of welded chain, you could design it to sit up close to the steering wheel while in reverse and use a long padlock for security.

Thu Jul 20, 2017 5:32 pm

VWagabond wrote: OK, color me dumb...what's wrong with the stock wheel. I get along fine with both the camper & synchro stock steering wheels. They're both power steering. My old 83.5 with armstrong steering was tough to wrestle with sometimes, but only when manuvering at slow speeds.
To me it's a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" issue, but to each their own.
Happy Motoring
Tom

Nothing is wrong with it. I like mine. It holds my cruise control controller in a perfect spot:

Thu Jul 20, 2017 6:24 pm

maybe you could put a hub extender on it?

I'm not sure what is smaller, but IIRC there is SA wheel for these things

Good Luck!

Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:46 am

I'm late to the game here it appears...

I am looking for replacement parts for my SA Steering wheel. One of the four teeth that holds the center section to the horn spring plate has broken, so the center section doesn't seat well and a couple of the springs push it apart and then fall down inside.

Does anyone have a line on replacement pieces or is 14 yrs a good run for that wheel?

Thx,
Brian

Wed Jul 18, 2018 7:08 pm

I went with a Nardi. Love it! (Bad pic, sorry)

Nardi ND 390
Black leather, grey stiching
6061.39.1001

Nardi hub
4302.14.5401

Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:15 pm

tipsword wrote: I'm late to the game here it appears...

I am looking for replacement parts for my SA Steering wheel. One of the four teeth that holds the center section to the horn spring plate has broken, so the center section doesn't seat well and a couple of the springs push it apart and then fall down inside.

Does anyone have a line on replacement pieces or is 14 yrs a good run for that wheel?

Thx,
Brian
I think the SA design was based on early European T4s which didn't come with leather but look the same otherwise. Look on Ebay.UK or Ebay.DE if you can search in german. I saw a "new" leather one for $185 Euros and some used ones and parts. If that doesn't work, maybe one of the vendors over there like CampingVan Culture could get you what you need. Do these look like yours?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOP-Lederlenkrad-BUS-VW...&rt=nc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T4-Steering-Wheel-Ce...&rt=nc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-T4-Steering-Wheel/30...&rt=nc

Wed Jul 18, 2018 10:37 pm

Audi 4000 Quattro ones fit and are leather wrapped. Slightly smaller diameter but comfortable. No problem with power steering but a bit more difficult without.

Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:38 pm

Thank you!

That's exactly what I was after.

I've reached out to the sellers to see if they'll ship to the US as there is a notice that they may not.

Best regards,
Brian

davevickery wrote: tipsword wrote: I'm late to the game here it appears...

I am looking for replacement parts for my SA Steering wheel. One of the four teeth that holds the center section to the horn spring plate has broken, so the center section doesn't seat well and a couple of the springs push it apart and then fall down inside.

Does anyone have a line on replacement pieces or is 14 yrs a good run for that wheel?

Thx,
Brian
I think the SA design was based on early European T4s which didn't come with leather but look the same otherwise. Look on Ebay.UK or Ebay.DE if you can search in german. I saw a "new" leather one for $185 Euros and some used ones and parts. If that doesn't work, maybe one of the vendors over there like CampingVan Culture could get you what you need. Do these look like yours?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TOP-Lederlenkrad-BUS-VW...&rt=nc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T4-Steering-Wheel-Ce...&rt=nc

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vw-T4-Steering-Wheel/30...&rt=nc

Thu Jul 19, 2018 3:40 pm

That is a very nice setup, how thick is the grip on it? I've become pretty comfortable with the SA wheel and not liking the stock grip diameter at all.

Thanks,
Brian

unibagel wrote: I went with a Nardi. Love it! (Bad pic, sorry)

Nardi ND 390
Black leather, grey stiching
6061.39.1001

Nardi hub
4302.14.5401

Thu Jul 19, 2018 6:27 pm

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: The 944 wheel I used was just too small of a diameter and obscured the top of the gauges. The Cabriolet wheel is slightly larger and is the Goldilocks solution for me.

I forgot to include a pic of Goldie

Tue Feb 23, 2021 1:29 am

SteveVanB wrote: Make your own 8)

Its still in project form, but you get the idea :wink:

You could thread bondage rope through the links. 8)