smaller steering wheel for '65 with manual steering

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Richard Catrambone - 19 Nov 2005 05:09 GMT

Hi,

I have a '65 Mustang (200 cu in, 3 speed) with manual steering. The
steering wheel is about 15" or 16" in diameter and leaves little room
above my legs. I'd like to replace the wheel with one that is smaller.
I've seen some in catalogs that are 13"-14" in diameter. However, I
am wondering whether the decrease in size will make steering
significantly tougher when I am doing things like parallel parking that
require small movements by the car and lots of turning.

Does anyone have experience with this issue?

Thanks.

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.boB - 19 Nov 2005 06:16 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks.

It actually makes a big differance. What you have is probably 15". Try a 14"
and see what you think. It is a noticable differance in effort while parking, but
otherwise not an issue.

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.boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1965 FFR Cobra - Finally on the Road!

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Fred V. - 19 Nov 2005 11:56 GMT

It will be a lot harder! I had lots of experience once with
an old mercury comet with manual everything.
Fred

>> Hi,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> Try a 14" and see what you think. It is a noticable differance in effort
> while parking, but otherwise not an issue.

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Backyard Mechanic - 19 Nov 2005 13:53 GMT

Yep... from a first hand observer, back in the day..

You'll be passing up perfectly good parking spots on the street to look
for city lots.

> It will be a lot harder! I had lots of experience once with
> an old mercury comet with manual everything.
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>> Try a 14" and see what you think. It is a noticable differance in
>> effort while parking, but otherwise not an issue.

Signature

Yeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price
you pay..DEAL with it!

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Richard Catrambone - 21 Nov 2005 01:23 GMT

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like dropping to a 14" might be not
too bad but any smaller would be very tough.

Richard

> Yep... from a first hand observer, back in the day..
>
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>>>Try a 14" and see what you think. It is a noticable differance in
>>>effort while parking, but otherwise not an issue.

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Garth Almgren - 23 Nov 2005 03:01 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Does anyone have experience with this issue?

Yes. Tiny steering wheels on vehicles without power assist is a real
pain, even with a fairly light vehicle.

I learned to drive a stick on my great uncle's mid-70s Courier with a
13" steering wheel, and, as filled with youthful energy as I was, I had
a hell of a time horsing the wheel around at anything under ~5 MPH.

I don't think I would have tried parallel parking it, unless I had
_plenty_ of time to maneuver. And a Red Bull.

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Richard Catrambone - 30 Dec 2005 05:27 GMT

>>Hi,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> I don't think I would have tried parallel parking it, unless I had
> _plenty_ of time to maneuver. And a Red Bull.

Fair enough...

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Joan - 31 Dec 2005 01:49 GMT

I have a 66 mustang manual steering that had a 14" wheel when I
bought it. What a pain in the a.s to drive. I had to drive the
freeway for about 20 miles and when I finally got back home, I was
exhausted. Ordered a Grant 15" wooden wheel and that inch made a big
difference.

Golfrex

>>>Hi,
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>>
>Fair enough...

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