One more project down - new steering wheel

t_chelle16

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Jan 24, 2006

#1

• Jan 24, 2006

• #1

Just finished installing my new steering wheel.

Dad doesn't really like it (he prefers the 4-spoke version), but it's not his car so .

The installation really wasn't too bad and the horn works just fine (I did manage to get the wheel a little crooked, but I'll fix it later).

I do have a minor problem with the turn signal lever, though. I now have about 1/2" clearance between the lever & the wheel so when I make turns, I keep hitting the lever with my knuckles. I figure I can just cut the lever shorter and re-thread the end, though.

My next project is going to be installing 3-point seat belts. I'll probably try to do a pretty good write up with lots of pics on that one since there isn't a whole lot of info available. I will be following this method:
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Strip/1121/seatbelt.html


-Chelle

 

krash kendall

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Jan 24, 2006

#2

• Jan 24, 2006

• #2

Looks great! Does the horn still work though?

I replaced my turn signal lever with a shorter tilt steering lever from another Ford. It had the exact same ends on it.

 

t_chelle16

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Yup, horn works just fine.

I replaced my turn signal lever with a shorter tilt steering lever from another Ford. It had the exact same ends on it.

Click to expand...

Cool, I'll have to look for one. Between the 2 cars, I do have 2 levers, though. So if I can't find anything else I can still cut & rethread one and I'll still have a good one if I mess it up.

-Chelle

 

chepsk8

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Jan 24, 2006

#4

• Jan 24, 2006

• #4

I had the same problem when I put in a GRANT GT in two of my Mustangs. Same solution, a shorter stalk.

Looks Good 'Chelle!

 

Realmongo

I prefer to be called "Evil Genius"

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Jan 24, 2006

#5

• Jan 24, 2006

• #5

Looks real good!

 

jes72mustang

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Mar 31, 2005

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Jan 25, 2006

#6

• Jan 25, 2006

• #6

For your turn signal issue, would it work to put a small bend in it to give you a little more clearance? Just another low cost thought.

 

t_chelle16

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Jan 25, 2006

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• Jan 25, 2006

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Dad thought of that, but then I wouldn't be able to get it back on w/o taking the steering wheel off.

-Chelle

 

chepsk8

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Jan 25, 2006

#8

• Jan 25, 2006

• #8

Now that I remember, I made a custom stalk for the DCVR from 1/4" Aluminum flat with a "S" shape. Worked good, looked cool! Threads into the switch were funky though, some odd SAE thread, 12-20 or something not used much.

 

65stanger

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#9

• Jan 25, 2006

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Nice work Chelle! It's always a good feeling to finish a project, even a "minor" one like swapping steering wheels! Just be sure the nut behind the wheel is tight!

 

Capt Dan

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Jan 25, 2006

#10

• Jan 25, 2006

• #10

t_chelle16 said:

Dad thought of that, but then I wouldn't be able to get it back on w/o taking the steering wheel off.

-Chelle

Click to expand...

Which you have to do anyway because the wheel is crooked, right?

The shorter one seems like the best solution though, IMHO

 

t_chelle16

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Capt Dan said:

Which you have to do anyway because the wheel is crooked, right?

The shorter one seems like the best solution though, IMHO

Click to expand...

Yeah, I got thinking about it today and if I can't find a die that has the right threads, I might go ahead and just bend one & pull the wheel again. I was looking around for one from a tilt column and it doesn't look like they're available repro yet and the only one I found on eBay was $35 and I don't really want to pay that much for a metal stick.

-Chelle

 

65stanger

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#12

• Jan 25, 2006

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Chelle, try NAPA for the die. Just because Dan says 12-20 is an "oddball" doesn't mean they aren't available, if that doesn't pan out, let me know I may have a spare (from my Grumman days) clunking around the basement.

 

t_chelle16

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#13

• Jan 25, 2006

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Dad thinks it's just a standard pipe thread so maybe it won't be too hard to find after all. We have 2 tap & die sets around here somewhere so we may already have one.

-Chelle

 

t_chelle16

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#14

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In case anyone is interested, I fixed the turn signal lever clearance issue.

I just threaded it further down and cut off about 2". For future reference, it's a 1/4"-28 die.

I have about 1/2" of space between my fingers & the lever now. Dad said I should have cut another inch off because he still has clearance issues, but it's my car so it's fine the way it is.

-Chelle

 

Dark Knight

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Mar 14, 2006

#15

• Mar 14, 2006

• #15

To bad you got it done, I was thinking that a piece of stainless steel rod would look cool polished, then thread the end you grab the same as a tire valve stem. Then you could put something like this
View attachment 483799

or this..

View attachment 483801

on the end.. kind of a cool little touch I would think..

 

t_chelle16

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#16

• Mar 14, 2006

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That is a cool idea. I might still do that. Although I'd hate to buy 4 spiffy new valve stems and have 3 leftover. Maybe I could find an individual one at a swap meet or something.

-Chelle

 

M

mustangdave

My rearend needs a stud and two nuts.

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Mar 14, 2006

#17

• Mar 14, 2006

• #17

Why have leftovers; use them around the house. Buy a couple of sets and use the extras for knobs on the stove, alarm clock knobs, stereo knobs, or just glue them to your keyboard.

 

65stanger

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Mar 15, 2006

#18

• Mar 15, 2006

• #18

t_chelle16 said:

In case anyone is interested, I fixed the turn signal lever clearance issue.

I just threaded it further down and cut off about 2". For future reference, it's a 1/4"-28 die.

I have about 1/2" of space between my fingers & the lever now. Dad said I should have cut another inch off because he still has clearance issues, but it's my car so it's fine the way it is.

-Chelle

Click to expand...

Geez, what is your father using for fingers....bratwurst?