Author |
Message |
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 6:07 pm Post subject: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
I have given up trying to use my Grant wheel because the hub adapter just honks the horn continuously. Sent one back and the new one does the same thing. Not sure why.
Im looking for this type of three or four-spoke wheel, but most importantly, a brand whose adapter is proven to fit with no issues.
Any brand and model recommendations? Hope to stay under $300 for everything.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2021 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Both JBugs and SoCal have Volante. Anyone have experience with it? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
APPLEGREENVW Samba Member
Joined: November 30, 2003 Posts: 2388 Location: Seekonk,Massachusetts USA
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
kd69bug Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2019 Posts: 109 Location: Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 3:33 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Pekoe2053 wrote: |
Both JBugs and SoCal have Volante. Anyone have experience with it? |
I love the Volante that I installed in my '69. Fits and works perfectly.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 4:46 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Nice! That looks like a Grant spacer. Does the hole pattern fit the wheel? Also, how do you secure your console to the floor?
Thanks! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kd69bug Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2019 Posts: 109 Location: Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2021 2:30 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Pekoe2053 wrote: |
Nice! That looks like a Grant spacer. Does the hole pattern fit the wheel? Also, how do you secure your console to the floor?
Thanks! |
The Volante adapter, which I used, leaves a gap in the column of approx 0.25".
There is another thread in the forums detailing that issue, search "Volante".
The Volante and SoCal people had no solution, although it was a known issue.
The gap does not affect operation, just aesthetics. My solution was to buy a Grant adapter kit just to get the rubber sleeve, which solved the gap problem to my satisfaction. The steering wheel itself is VERY nice, feels great and looks perfect in my opinion. The color is a perfect match to my SCAT ProCar seats.
The console is attached to the carpet with industrial velcro strips from Amazon. It doesn't budge. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 4:57 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Good to know about the gap. I already have the Grant rubber spacer so Ill decide if I need it. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kd69bug Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2019 Posts: 109 Location: Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2021 5:41 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Post a pic when you get it done! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
kd69bug wrote: |
Post a pic when you get it done! |
Ugh. What was supposed to be a five minute job has turned into me trying two brands of steering wheels and adapters and neither working! The Volante hub adapter slides onto the spline too tightly and does not go all the way on the column so that the copper ring on the back of the adapter touches the copper contact. The gap to be closed is about a half an inch or more. I do not want to use a rubber mallet to put it on because Ill never get it off if it doesnt work. Any suggestions?
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
74Shovel Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2017 Posts: 165 Location: Yakima, WA
|
Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2021 9:46 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
If you haven't done it already, try using a fine wire brush to clean the shaft and spline. Check for burrs which might be causing the steering wheel to hang up, then add a little never-seize paste to the shaft. Steering wheels are meant to fit tight on the shaft, so it doesn't take much to gum up the works. _________________ Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
'78 Super Convertible |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kd69bug Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2019 Posts: 109 Location: Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:07 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
I didn't have much luck contacting Volante, they were aware of the problem with my '69 but said they had no fix until possibly the next re-design. However, the gap on my '69 was nowhere near what you are dealing with. See what they have to say and show them the pic. That just cannot be the correct adapter. Mine slid on easily, just left a small gap, works fine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
I have been slowly closing the gap by cleaning splines with a wire brush, using some grease, pushing it on, wiggling it off, and repeating. I have it close enough to just make contact with the raised brass tab (for the horn?). The gap between the adapter and column is about half an inch.
Tomorrow Ill put on the wheel and test to see if the horn works the way it is supposed to. If it does, I have to make the decision to tighten it down with the big nut. Once I do that, I wont be able to get the adapter off without a puller or something drastic.
I ordered the Grant adapter for my Grant wheel just in case. It honks the horn constantly when the hub makes contact with the horn tab, so Id have to put the horn on a button under the dash.
What would you do? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kd69bug Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2019 Posts: 109 Location: Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 11:55 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Hard to tell from the pic. It doesn't look like it can go any farther, without seeing the adapter itself first. Is all of the threaded end exposed for the nut?
I'm not sure on a '77 how the horn is wired, nor how the turn signals cancel,
my '69 is different. I tried a Grant before going with Volante. The Grant adapter did not leave a gap, but the horn button was crap, and kept popping off. Other than having to cover the gap, the Volante is great.
On this guy's video it shows the horn/signals similar to yours I think:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPp65S9BMK4 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:00 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Success! Thanks for the idea of using the Grant surround to cover the gap which ended up being .25 - exactly what you said. I already had it from my last car so no extra money.
Thanks to all who provided guidance for what should have been an easy job - always, right?
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
kd69bug Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2019 Posts: 109 Location: Pennsylvania
|
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:36 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
That looks great!
Turn signals, horn all OK? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Pekoe2053 Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2021 Posts: 64 Location: Vermont
|
Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2021 7:42 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
kd69bug wrote: |
That looks great!
Turn signals, horn all OK? |
Yes, horn and turn signal canceling both work perfectly! I even took it for a test drive, but who knows? I may be at a gas station someday and the horn will start honking continuously 😂. At least I know how to disconnect it quickly.
Thanks again! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
muggermackaye Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2020 Posts: 87 Location: CO
|
Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2021 1:09 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
I cant seem to find the grant adapter with the rubber boot. Can you post a source or part number... or both? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Rome Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004 Posts: 9651 Location: Pearl River, NY
|
Posted: Sat Oct 02, 2021 7:31 am Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Pekoe2053 wrote: |
Success!
Thanks to all who provided guidance for what should have been an easy job - always, right?
|
That steering wheel looks so good, like the car is going 60 mph while standing still!
For your future reference and for others, the steering wheel which APPLEGREEN VW posted before is an original one from a Generation 1 VW Scirocco. VW changed the steering column/steering wheel splines on Beetles with the '73 model year to match those on the upcoming Rabbit and Scirocco. The Rabbit and Scirocco started as 1975 model years. His pictured wheel is a direct replacement and fitment for your Super- no modifications needed- and the horn works correctly if the wheel's contacts have not been mangled. If you look for the aftermarket steering wheel adapter type for a '77 Beetle, it should be the same part number as for a 1st-gen Rabbit and Scirocco.
The gap you encountered-
Over 20 years ago I bought a 1983 Vanagon. It handled really well for a big box but its large, stock steering wheel was bothering me. I tried to fit that same Scirocco steering wheel, and it "almost" fit. The splines matched, but the 'rocco wheel hub had a slightly smaller-diameter taper compared to the Vanagon's column. That also caused an approx. 1/4" gap. What I did was to use a cone-shaped carbide bit burr on a drill to carefully and evenly enlarge the taper on the steering wheel hub until I could push it down further. After the fitment, on the first drive I realized the smaller diameter of the Scirocco wheel required considerably more steering effort while parking than the approx. 2-3" larger Vanagon wheel. Simple matter of reduced leverage. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
H2OSB Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2013 Posts: 1292 Location: Modesto, CA
|
Posted: Sun Oct 03, 2021 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
Those Scirocco wheels are awesome. I tend to use take off wheels like Porsche or other VW because as nice as they look, aftermarket wheels(like Momo) don't have the diameter required for decent leverage. Certainly they look great and can be used but I'm getting too old to want to wrestle with the steering wheel. That said, I don't know what diameters you can get those Grant wheels in. Almost all factory wheels come in about 15 inch diameter. I had an awesome wheel from a early 90s Nissan 300zx (last year before airbags...'91 I think) I was able to adapt using a Grant adapter. I gave it to my son after I got a Porsche 944 wheel.
H20SB _________________ (o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
nlorntson Crazy VW Lady
Joined: March 13, 2004 Posts: 3783 Location: Twin Cities, MN
|
Posted: Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:38 pm Post subject: Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheels for 77 Convertible |
|
|
muggermackaye wrote: |
I cant seem to find the grant adapter with the rubber boot. Can you post a source or part number... or both? |
Guessing it is this part?
http://www.grantproducts.com/products/view/258/ |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|