Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Replacing a steering wheel on a 1967 Plus 4

Can anyone tell me how easy it is to replace the steering wheel on a 1967 +4. How is it done?
It is a RHD car. Anyone have any recommendations for the type of steering wheel to replace it? Flat or dished? It is a 15" 3 spoker at 120 degrees separation. I like the Moto Lita.
Would a 14" steering wheel be too small for the car that doesn't have power steering?

Take off the chromed centre bolt and pull. Sometimes it needs a little persuasion to brake loose.
There are lots of old +4s around with 14 inch wheels so it doesn't seem to affect the driving too much. A dished wheel would IMHO look wrong. An alternative to the wood rimmed wheel (which was offered from the factory for a small additional sum) would be the Brooklands Bluemel with 4 spokes (also offered from the factory). Yours is the original standard steering wheel.

Bodger, Thanks for your information and your HO. I see a lot of the Brooklands 4 spoke wheels around for the old classics, but I am finding it difficult to find a 3 spoke wheel to match the one on the car. I was certainly leaning away from the dished wheels.
The problem with the existing wheel is that the handle in about 6 inches of length has some heavy checking with sharp edges. It is checking like an old timber beam. For now I probably will wrap the wheel with bicycle tape and wrap in a leather cover until I find a good wheel.

Thanks for your note. This is a great website.

Leave the chrome nut on a few threads while you pull on the wheel-it will possibly save you from ending up behind the seat.

Phantod... I believe that will be a very wise tip. LOL. Thanks.

Or you could wrap it with cord like the racing fraternity did in the old days. It's easy to do and gives a good grip - but it's all a matter of taste.

Frank

Frank, That sounds like an interesting idea. Is this a certain type of cord? Do you have any photos of how it looks?

Vitruvius, I have not only done but overdone it on a very similar steering wheel to yours (it was brown and this didn't go with the colour of the car). The cord is best of natural fibre in a thickness/diameter to your taste. After wrapping you soak the wheel/cord in hot water. The cord then shrinks and is evenly tight on the wheel. When it is dry again some guys tarnish it with clear lacquer, others let it as is and get a "patina" of dirt.

Give me your PM and I will send you a photo. I am too unskilled to post pictures here.

Frank

Bodger, That is great information on how to maintain an old steering wheel. The cord I am thinking of is really itchy twine that may shrink well, but is itchy.
I am sorry but I don't know what a PM is. I will try searching this site to get you my info.

Reade

I found this web site, a Bentley wheel has been wrapped in what looks like parcel string [centre pic , bottom row]
http://www.steeringwheelrestoration.co.uk/car_steering_wheels_gallery.php?p=5