Steering wheel adaption

[Mark Myles]

How do you mount a larger steering wheel spline to a smaller spline. Is there a reduction thimble available?

[ashman40]

Sounds like you are trying to use an early large spline steering wheel (2-spoke) on an later small spline steering shaft (4-spoke wheel)??
I've never seen an adapter for that and it usually won't work without some mods especially if you are using an early stock steering wheel. The problem is that the later wiper switch arm interferes with the spokes in the early steering wheel. This pic explains the interference you will have running an early steering wheel on a later column with a wiper switch:

Most will replace the entire steering column and shaft from an earlier model year. Some have had success heating the wiper switch arm and bending it to give more clearance, but sometimes the arms will just break off.

The splines changed in the '74 model year. So '72-'73 steering columns were 4-spoke and large spline, '74-later were 4-spoke small spline. '71 in US was the last model year with the wiper switch on the dash so could still use the 2-spoke steering wheels (large spline). My non-US '75 came with a '71 steering column/wheel and the wiper switch on the dash.
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AshMan40
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'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[carloscaq]

What do you need to replace in order to change the switch position of the wiper from the dash to the column???..I have a 71 1302 German model with wiper switch on the dash

[solorogue]

I am confused by the whole steering wheel thing

For my 74' SB I purchased an EMPI Steering Wheel Adapter, Beetle & Super 1974.5-1979 from Jbugs. [url] https://www.jbugs.com/product/79-4117.html[/url]

OK great. Now what?
Does that mean I can take this adapter and put any aftermarket steering wheel on my bug?

without going deep in the weeds here guys, if possible, I don't understand the splines thing. What's a spine?

I would like to use this steering wheel:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XPBTG5C/?coliid=I3DSC..._lig_dp_it

So what do I need to make this work? Will the EMPI adapter kit I got work for this? Do I need to add a steering wheel hub adapter with it like this?

It would be so helpful if someone just pointed and said .. ok kid it's simple, just use this and do this

[Jimbug57]

I like that steering wheel, and I see your attraction at that price, however, it is too small for a bug. It will make your car a real struggle to steer. I've got a 14 1/2 inch wheel and wouldn't go any smaller unless it's a dune buggy or something - but that's me, it may work for you. But considering the adapter issue I'd find a wheel that's made to go with the adapter you bought. If you get an Empi/Grant steering wheel from a place like jbugs you won't have installation issues as they're made for your car.


Here's one that would work with your adapter -
https://www.jbugs.com/product/79-4013.html

Here's one I bought from jbugs that would also work with your adapter -
https://www.jbugs.com/product/79-4034.html

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Repeat after me "I am smarter than metal!"

[ashman40]

[solorogue]

Ashman40 - WOW such a great response and info you provided. This is VERY useful and helpful! You really show and spell it out so well! I am still not sure which spine number my SB has or I need to use, but You really break it down so well.

Jimbug - thanks for the note on the wheel diameter. The original steering wheel is 15" which to me feels like your driving a bus or 18 wheeler. Plus it's cracked in multiple places.

I really am not that impressed with the styling of the Grant or EMPI steering wheels, plus the sticker shock is whoa crazy.. I am not wanting to spend $200-$300 for a car I am working on for my 17 year old son to drive.

I think I will go with a 14" wheel and looking at something like this..but cheaper
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088YTRKWB/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATLXYKJJS0ORS&psc=1

It's a 9 bolt wheel, so I guess what I would need would be a 9 to 3 bolt adapter like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Flashpower-Steering-America...1KWVH76847

Though I am not sure on the sizing and spline fitment. It's weird.. if I go to JBugs and look at their Hub kits. it's saying that both the 13/16 and 11/16 splines will fit .. well they both can't fit, something is not right.

I would then like to put a wolfsburg horn button from JBugs on, but it's a 6 bolt and wow expensive .. ah well.
https://www.jbugs.com/product/STE1041C.html

So I am still trying to figure it all out. Thanks guys, you rock!

[solorogue]

Another question I had on replacing the stock steering wheel in my 74' SB, when I pull the steering wheel off there is the black plastic Turn Signal Cancelling Ring with a wire attached to it. How do you mount the steering wheel adapter over the cancelling ring, where is the wire suppose to go then?

[solorogue]

Here is the steering wheel I went with for my 74' SB. It's a Grant club steering wheel
https://www.amazon.com/Grant-457-Club-Sport-Wheel/...amp;sr=8-1

It fit perfect with the Grant adapter kit. I didn't need a spacer adapter as the steering wheel already came with enough space in which it does not hit the steering wheel levers.

Thanks for all the help in explaining how to replace the sterering wheel and parts needed. You guys rock!