14" or 15" steering wheel mgb

[Dbest92]

Currently got a 14" wood rimmed moto-lita on the B which I don't like at all.

Looking to replace with the leather bound moto-lita as should be a straight forward swap, question is 14" or 15"

The extra leverage of the larger wheel would be nice but don't want to take away any steering feel, so just wondering what the consensus is as to the best size?

Cheers

[nta16]

Darren,
the original steering wheels on earlier cars were 15.5", I can't remember what they were on a r/b car

the feel of the steering shouldn't be over heavy unless;
. there are worn or incorrect parts or components fitted
. lack of servicing, maintenance and repair on the car
. lack of lubricating/checks/adjustments on the steering, wheels and tyres
. incorrect settings on steering/wheels/tyres (even down to tyre pressure)
. well oversized wheels and tyres
. a lack of use of the car never helps

great news Darren that you've got all your servicing, maintenance and repairs done and you have money to spare that wont be needed when the car is used during the colder seasons

bear in mind steering wheels also need to fit the bosses and the bosses need to fit the column rod, take care to check all

to remove the steering wheel, a bit of pre-applied good quality penetrating/releasing fluid (not ordinary WD40 as that's not as good) and the instructions from John Twist video number one and a glamorous assistant

[Dbest92]

I quite like the original wheel that's on the midget, and the larger size in general

I think the problem iis with the tyres which are 175/80/14 which I haven't seen on any other cars, I will change these anyway soon as they're a few years old. Suspension is greased every 3 months so wouldn't have thought it was that and I know the rack was topped up when I bought the car, car has been used a lot and has freed up lovely but the steering has remained the same

I have to admit I'm not massively impressed at spending out for a steering wheel, but I really don't like the feel of the wooden one, plus I plan to sell it on via ebay so should recoup some cash for those unexpected repairs!

As there's currently a motolita already on there I'd imagine swapping to another motolita should be simple, (he says), as the boss has been converted etc so might get away without taking.the whole assembly apart but ill wait and see! I have some plusgas which I've found good in the past so if need be ill use that. I have seen the video by John twist and have heard if done wrong you can end up with a bloody nose! But I'll make sure that doesn't happen

Cheers

[nta16]

Dbest92 said:

I quite like the original wheel that's on the midget, and the larger size in general

if it's the three metal (rather than four rubber) spoke steering wheel then I think it's the same for B and Midget

Dbest92 said:

I think the problem iis with the tyres which are 175/80/14 which I haven't seen on any other cars,

not than much bigger than factory 165/80/14 - http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html

have you tried a few extra psi if it doesn't upset the ride and handling

Dbest92 said:

I will change these anyway soon as they're a few years old.

how old, I think you've probably seen the posts on old and/or lack of use tyres disintegrating and putting the car into potentially very dangerous situations for you and any poor sods around you

just to remind you, when you get the new tyres take in easy on them for the first 100 miles (200 in wet) to get passed their greasiness and make sure the wheels nuts are torqued to the correct figure by the fitters and not just at their usual wrench setting of 110, then check the wheel nut tightness after about the first 30 miles

Dbest92 said:

Suspension is greased every 3 months so wouldn't have thought it was that and I know the rack was topped up when I bought the car, car has been used a lot and has freed up lovely but the steering has remained the same

fair point, those should help reduce the possibilities of steering stifness

a good point about using the cars a lot to free them up and keep them free do you also do that for the Midget and Fiesta, do enough mileage to share between the three cars

Dbest92 said:

I have to admit I'm not massively impressed at spending out for a steering wheel, but I really don't like the feel of the wooden one, plus I plan to sell it on via ebay so should recoup some cash for those unexpected repairs!

I like the thinner rim size of traditional steering wheels but I agree with you that wooden rims don't feel right

as the steering wheel is such a tactile component constantly in use I can't really moan about you changing it

Dbest92 said:

plus I plan to sell it on via ebay so should recoup some cash for those unexpected repairs!

that depends on how much the new wheel costs and how much you can get back on your present steering wheel but all being well I think you might not spend too much

(if you wanted an original steering I know of someone who restores steering wheels (well for Midgets at least))

Dbest92 said:

I have seen the video by John twist and have heard if done wrong you can end up with a bloody nose! But I'll make sure that doesn't happen

yes don't upset your glamorous assistant

I had a specialist MG organisation that had to remove an original steering wheel on my B to do some work and they used a puller, it bent the wheel, they said the replacement wheel they put on was in similar very good condition to the one they bent but it wasn't quite

[mgtony]

14"

[nta16]

mgtony said:

14"

Tony,
out of interest, do you happen to know the size of the standard 4 spoke steering wheel on a r/b please?

[mgtony]

Nigel, hope my previous post didn't deviate off topic.

I believe the original was 15". I'm not sure if the wooden and leather ones use the same internals, therefore the padded leather ones will end up a fraction larger than the equivalent wooden sized ones.
Either way I've got on fine with the 14". Gives nice clearance for your legs. Someone asked if I had power steering after seeing how easy it was to maneuver, and that's with tyres you wouldn't approve of!

[nta16]

mgtony said:

Nigel, hope my previous post didn't deviate off topic.

not at all Tony I knew you could only be referring to steering wheel size

mgtony said:

Either way I've got on fine with the 14". Gives nice clearance for your legs. Someone asked if I had power steering after seeing how easy it was to maneuver,

ah well, you're a fit young chap with upper body strength - and either muscular or fat thighs - I have no problems with the 15.5" steering wheel in the smaller Midget cabin, as you know I'm muscular but lean

mgtony said:

and that's with tyres you wouldn't approve of!

no I can't remember what you got in the end, have you done 200 miles with them yet
and I bet your filters are still red

nice to hear from you m8

[Dbest92]

Yes the midget has the 3 spoke 15.5" inch wheel, the b, being a 73 would have had the 3 spoke. Ideally I'd like to have change back to original. but as its such a pain to take the boss off the spline ill interchange the motolita! I once tried to remove the midget wheel and gave up, didn't want to hammer too hard with a collapsible steering column! I'd imagine its one of those jobs where patience would prevail, compared to using a hub puller with effects as happened to you.

Regarding the tyres I'm wondering if width could be an issue as they are wider than the originals. The tyres are about 7/8 years old and but when I took them off, there was no signs of crazing or cracking at all and i checked them pretty thoroughly, but for peace of mind they will be changed soon. I am quite hot which it comes to tyres, just replaced all 4 on the fiesta, and I know what you mean about taking it easy for a bit, no grip at all! Also yes all 3 are used often, fiesta is the daily so is always on the go the and the midget is practically my parents now and is also used a fair bit

I seen a motolita sell on ebay 2nd hand for just over a £100 the other day, so hopefully I could make near that as its in good nick, would soften the blow a bit!

Interesting to hear how easy the steering is for you 'mg tony' with the 14" wheel and oversized tyres, wonder if the racks varied throughout the years

[nta16]

Dbest92 said:

Yes the midget has the 3 spoke 15.5" inch wheel, the b, being a 73 would have had the 3 spoke. Ideally I'd like to have change back to original. but as its such a pain to take the boss off the spline

no, it is not - I suggest you watch the JT vid again, the boss comes off the column spine as part of the steering wheel!

I've checked, the chap has a 1973 B steering wheel, they're very reasonably priced and look well restored, well I hope so as I've just ordered one - IF you have any interest PM me and I'll send you his details, ask and he'll send you a photo - all between the two of you nothing to me if you buy or don't, I'm just being my usual over-helpful self - he also does concours standard re-wirinkled painted dashes for £59

Dbest92 said:

I once tried to remove the midget wheel and gave up, didn't want to hammer too hard with a collapsible steering column! I'd imagine its one of those jobs where patience would prevail

that, a good releasing/penetrating fluid and time - as I was by myself the last time I took the steering wheel off that's what I used - time before that I had a reluctant assistant so used the JT method - both methods worked easily

Dbest92 said:

Regarding the tyres I'm wondering if width could be an issue as they are wider than the originals.

did you not read what I put before - in a one word answer - no

Dbest92 said:

The tyres are about 7/8 years old and but when I took them off, there was no signs of crazing or cracking at all and i checked them pretty thoroughly, but for peace of mind they will be changed soon.

good that you gave them a thorough visual check but in the end that's all it is a good look, hardly material stress testing

I'v seen here and elsewhere that Uniroyal Rain Expert 175/70/14 (84T) seem to be very favoured by BGT owners

Dbest92 said:

and I know what you mean about taking it easy for a bit, no grip at all!

were you not advised of this by the tyre place either in writing or verbally

Dbest92 said:

the midget is practically my parents now and is also used a fair bit

they're showing you up then, months of fine hot weather with a soft top sports car

Dbest92 said:

I seen a motolita sell on ebay 2nd hand for just over a £100 the other day, so hopefully I could make near that as its in good nick, would soften the blow a bit!

if that's the case do yourself a big favour and enquire about getting a restored original as above

on my first classic, a 1974 BGT I removed the steering wheel but I didn't know JT's technique then and no one mentioned the column was collapse-able (until after) - so again learn by my mistake do as I say above not as I done

Dbest92 said:

Interesting to hear how easy the steering is for you 'mg tony' with the 14" wheel and oversized tyres, wonder if the racks varied throughout the years

good point, I was also wondering about the differences but you also have to allow for the differences in the front crossmember on the r/b and other differences I can't remember, small differences could accumulate on the end effect

[Dbest92]

It's nice to know restored originals are out there! I have ordered a wheel now bit thanks anyway! Decided to get a 15 inch leather wrapped motolita, should be an easy fit and should be nice to use! The dash is something I'd be interested in at some point, but its not urgent so another time!

I did look at the link and when compared they do seem similar, however looking at the original size on other cars they do look narrower, although could just be my eyesight! :L

Interesting to hear about uniroyals, the mg specialist near me stocks them in 165/14, which ill probably go for soon. As for being advised of the greasiness of new tyres they said nothing, I was aware anyway luckily so used it to my advantage for a bit!

I have to agree in the recent weather the midget has been a delight, even as a passenger, apart from being burnt by the vinyl seats!!

Yes having the column collapse on me would not be something I'd want! Something I will definitely watch when fitting the new wheel, ill report back on any differences with the new one,, if any, but it should be a lot nicer to use more than anything compared to the current one.

[nta16]

Dbest92 said:

It's nice to know restored originals are out there! I have ordered a wheel now bit thanks anyway!

personally I prefer the thin rim of the originals (for a lot, lot less than a Motolita hopefully)

this is what I'm getting

(no I wouldn't have put that frame on a bonnet)

Dbest92 said:

I did look at the link and when compared they do seem similar, however looking at the original size on other cars they do look narrower, although could just be my eyesight! :L

sizes are nominal and can vary with make and model of tyre

Dbest92 said:

the mg specialist near me stocks them in 165/14, which ill probably go for soon.

what ratio (80?) - check the manufacture date before you buy they could have been in stock for quite a while

Dbest92 said:

As for being advised of the greasiness of new tyres they said nothing

check any paperwork they gave you, a good tyre place should advise you and to check wheelnut tightness

until next time cheers

[Dbest92]

I do like the original I have to admit, however I am pleased with the new one, does feel comfortable to use and I like the larger size, which I think suits the car, but it is a matter of opinion really.

next job now really should be the tyres! Ill bear in mind what you said about the manufacture dates.

Cheers

[mgtony]

That looks great, there's no doubt it's much better looking than an original one, although I think I know of someone who may not agree with me!!

[nta16]

yes, it's all wrong to me, wrong shape and size and so shiny even the camera can't cope

once you let shiny in it takes start to take over

[Dbest92]

Thanks Tony! Hmm yes I think I know who you mean ha ha!

[nta16]

oh my gawd I've just noticed the chrome ashtray and 90s (though probably modern) 'stereo'

this is all starting to get a bit borderline, no wonder the photo is soft or blur focus

[Dbest92]

nta16 said:

yes, it's all wrong to me, wrong shape and size and so shiny even the camera can't cope

once you let shiny in it takes start to take over

Wrong shape?

It did seem to startle to camera , but instead of the shiny wheel, it was the shiny wipers... Oh dear it is taking over! Gunna cost me a fortune in metal polish

[Dbest92]

nta16 said:

oh my gawd I've just noticed the chrome ashtray and 90s (though probably modern) 'stereo'

this is all starting to get a bit borderline, no wonder the photo is soft or blur focus

Ahh hoping you wouldn't see the rather out of touch radio looks fairly modern and is a kenwood unit so is half decent, although not my choice! Also you've got to love all the flashing LEDs too! Driving in sunny weather can be rather dazzling with all the chrome at times I have to say

[nta16]

Dbest92 said:

Wrong shape?

bloated rim, out of proportion arms, too shiny – reminds me of some MG owers

Dbest92 said:

Ahh hoping you wouldn't see the rather out of touch radio looks fairly modern and is a kenwood unit so is half decent, although not my choice! Also you've got to love all the flashing LEDs too!

from the 90s on even good 'stereos' look like Woolworth specials or Amstrad rejects

you should have an AM radio with single speaker listening to (classic) Gold radio station – or if you’re posh perhaps a stereo radio cassette with stereo FM and two speakers (4” pods usually)

although I’m not sure there was any FM stations in ’73 that you could listen to

Dbest92 said:

Driving in sunny weather can be rather dazzling with all the chrome at times I have to say

I was going to put IIRC the chrome wiper arms can reflect into your eyes whilst driving