15" Steering Wheel

[pequod]

Have been searching the forum and elsewhere on the 'net (without much success!) for details of what steering wheels folk have used to replace the standard 'Personal' 13" as I would like to change to a larger diameter to make the low speed steering a little less of a workout! I see that a few have changed to the Chim size (14") 'Personal' wheel but I would prefer to go a bit larger for the extra leverage.

Any advice on what the best option is for a 15" diameter (or thereabouts) wheel that others have tried, liked or disliked, and may have hanging on the garage wall needing a good home?

TIA

Peter

[phillpot]

How much do yer wanna spend? .................. Mota Lita steering wheels

[pequod]

Thanks Mike. Perhaps I wasn't clear with my OP but I have looked at all the new options from the various manufacturers and the mota-lita dealer isn't too far from me at Thruxton so may end up simply paying them a visit and hopefully persuade them to let me try a few alternative designs? This option will need a new boss kit, I guess, so will be an expensive way to achieve what I'm after.

Obviously, I would prefer to find a good used 15" wheel and/or boss that someone is willing to part with and ebay may throw up a suitable make/model.

Hopefully, a few on here will have a large diameter wheel on their S and will be happy to post suggestions?

[pequod]

So, to conclude my topic which may be of interest to others now or in the future, here are my thoughts on the various options to improve the low speed steering.

Electric power steering has been investigated by others previously and whilst this is possible it is not straightforward and an expensive option, although may be the only solution if you were seriously weak (maybe damaged shoulder for example?) and unable to use an S without it. See this earlier thread for details https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I don't think hydraulic power steering is an option due to the layout of our cars but I haven't bothered following this up.

Changing the front wheels/tyres - my original 15x7J wheels are currently shod with new Dunlop Blue Response 205's but I could change for 195's and still be legal. Obviously I could fit narrower wheels and go even narrower with tyres but at the moment increasing the tyre pressure to 28psi has improved matters a little without affecting the handling significantly.

So, to the obvious solution, change the steering wheel size! Would a 15" wheel look too big and would it achieve any significant difference to low speed steering? From what I could glean a lot of owners have changed their original Personal 13" steering wheels and it appears that many have gone to 14" from a variety of manufacturers and there are more choices in that size than the larger 15". As I felt increasing the radius by a mere 1/2" wouldn't make a lot of difference I was keen to try something bigger without it looking like it came from a No. 8 bus!!

As many on here will know, the original wheel and boss has a 6 bolt fixing with a PCD of 74mm which seems common to Italian made steering wheels and the wheel is dished by some 40mm. Whilst all the manufacturers offer a boss adaptor this will bring the wheel a little closer and will also affect the fitment of the centre horn push (non functioning on our cars as we have the horn on the end of the indicator stalk) but it is another consideration if you wish to retain your TVR logo centre cap. So while it is possible to fit the likes of Mota-Lita, Momo, etc they are not a straight swap.

I chased a few second hand wheels on ebay without success until I came across an unknown (to me!) Italian wheel manufacturer (luisi) that I thought would fit the bill and ended up purchasing this;



I am pleased to report that this wheel has made a noticeable difference, although not to the extent of a power steering system, and I would recommend trying a 15" wheel if, like me, you find the original size wheel a little heavy!

[phillpot]

pequod said:

I came across an unknown (to me!) Italian wheel manufacturer Iuisi

Main supplier to the AEC Routemaster I believe ? ...... ............ Looks good

Edited by phillpot on Thursday 2nd August 16:04

[pequod]

Thank goodness Luisi steering wheels has some 'British' provenance, as I thought I might have purchased a load of Italian cr*p!

Phew!!!

[GreenV8S]

On the theme of making the steering lighter, I've noticed that touring cars typically seem to have the steering wheel very close to the driver, much closer than the traditional 'straight arm' race car layout. I've never driven a car like that but I guess it gives better leverage on the wheel and perhaps that's why they do it. If you have gone as far as you can on the diameter, it might be worth moving the wheel a few inches closer and seeing if that helps.

[pequod]

The 40mm dish seems to suit me (and is original distance from the driver) and I didn't want to get the steering wheel closer (with a conversion boss kit), but there are deep dish wheels that can provide a closer leverage.

It seems a simple thing to try but unless you have something to compare it with, it can be an expensive experiment!

I'm happy to let anyone on the forum try mine on their car, BTW. PM me.