Dissected steering wheel

[dakazman]

  Just cleaning up some junk pieces from the S1 and along came an urge to tear into a steering wheel.  See pic 1. Bent and rotted I removed the covering and noticed the leather wasn’t sewn around the perimeter , strange. Below that was a rawhide type material. Then two metal steel rings  with a diameter of 13 1/2” , riveted through the aluminum spokes with a layer of the rawhide between the rings .  Step Drilling out all the countersunk 45 rivet heads removed the horn flange gaining access to the spokes in the center of the hub. Slowly step drilling the same rivet holes, yes they are rivets, the last pic shows the proof. After removing the bent spokes I decided to drill through the pilot hole to find the depth of the rivet in the hub , which turned out to be about 5/8” down below the hub. After drilling through the cavity was about another 1/2”. Finally step drilling those until the shank came out.
  Now I’ll copy the dimensions of the spokes and thread the hubs build new rings and get a better steering wheel.
Dakazman

[BDA]

You're a brave man, but then what have you got to loose? I'm sure it will look A LOT better when you're done. I'm anxious to see the results!

[dakazman]

  I’m in limbo right now, waiting on a fast title for the s1 . I don’t want to chop it into pieces.
Then the s2 that is in the shed that I put on rollers / projects is not answering my emails.
  I continue to work on other projects but really want to return to my Europa. The Jag is still going on and taking up my time. The owner is very happy with the progress I made but with 5 months in
It’s on target to get done in November, a 1 year anniversary.
 I guess I should add a few comments to stray cats thread.
Btw my garage computer died so I have to fix it too. And… buy a new windows 12 computer for my wife in October, a probably launch date.
Dman

[jbcollier]

The covering isn't leather.  It's some type of vinyl derivative.

[314159td]

Huh, I recall my S1B having an aluminum round rod making up the structure under the grip/covering, but may be thinking of another Triumph 36 spline wheel in that pile. Definitely the same countersunk rivets.

[My S1]

David,

thanks for the record of your archeological dig.  I really enjoy learning how those fellows built their low volume parts.  That is an S2 wheel by the way.

[dakazman]

 I agree John,
  the covering resembles shrink wrap with a vinyl print.

  S1,  Thanks it was on the s2 frame carcass.
 
31459td,
    I’m just reporting my findings and your correct, who knows what went where at this point except for an unmolested s1 owner.
I was wrong to assume this was for an S1.  It was attached to the S2 frame in retrospect.
 I’m going to try to bring it back to life in buying some .1875x3/8 bar stock and bending it around a perfectly sized brake drum. Now I’ll just bend a few pieces up and attach to the spokes. While I’m here is there a perfect size for the wheel? I ask because a flywheel is 1” smaller.
Dakazman

 

[My S1]

Mine has an O.D. of exactly 14" with a section diameter of 7/8".  If you are not hung up on originality, perhaps you might want to bump up to a 1"  section diamer?  Just my two bits worth...

[dakazman]

 I have a hard time getting into my S2 ,  I need to measure my wheel’s dimensions.
Dave

[jbcollier]

Make the wheel to suit driving.  Fit a Q/R hub to suit egress.

[Bryan Boyle]

I agree John,
  the covering resembles shrink wrap with a vinyl print.

  S1,  Thanks it was on the s2 frame carcass.
 
31459td,
    I’m just reporting my findings and your correct, who knows what went where at this point except for an unmolested s1 owner.
I was wrong to assume this was for an S1.  It was attached to the S2 frame in retrospect.
 I’m going to try to bring it back to life in buying some .1875x3/8 bar stock and bending it around a perfectly sized brake drum. Now I’ll just bend a few pieces up and attach to the spokes. While I’m here is there a perfect size for the wheel? I ask because a flywheel is 1” smaller.
Dakazman

I found that the 14" OEM wheel provided a bit more leverage (i.e. longer arm from center) which translated into (for me anyway) a lot lighter "feel", if that makes any sense.

The wheel I put in 693R was a Grant wheel (as in the photo) which whilst recovering from surgery, modified to fit on a Lotus hub (having taken apart 4 cars by this time, I had a lot of spare parts, so chose the wheel with the good hub but bunged up other bits. 

The photos for what I did there are at:
http://www.lotuseuropa.us/0693r/photos/index.php/2009/03-21-09-Steering_Wheel

I looked to see if I had put an entry in my 693R renovation blog for that date, but I guess I was still recovering from having holes poked in my side.

I prefer the 13" wheels.  Gives me enough space to swing under it, and enough so that my hands aren't fouling on the windshield (I like the 'arms out' steering, so, I push my column in a bit).

HTH, from here.

[Footer]

I don’t have access to my steering wheel pictures as I’m out of state,  but I believe it is/was a “stock” item on my 73 TCS.
I find that the section dimension of the wheel is rather small and gives me grip problems during spirited driving or maneuvering.  I have thoughts to somehow increase that dimension for easier grip in my hands.
You may find that dimension preferable or not.

Seperately, I applaud your efforts to dig into this.  I would have simply canned it.

[dakazman]

  I purchased the steel yesterday but I had to splice in a section since they didn’t have a 4 ft long piece, so 3each 3 foot pieces used. It was just freak coincidence the size of my vans drum brakes were a perfect size with what I took out.
 Bending and welding up went off without a hitch. I cut the aluminum spokes tomorrow making them a tad longer so that they can be cut after being sandwiched between the rings.
 John,   I would love to add a QD hub. If you found a vendor at a reasonable price I might be interested. My S2 could definitely use one.
Dakazman

[kram350kram]

Try https://www.joesracing.com/product/joes-momo-steering-wheel-quick-disconnect/ for a quick disconnect. Think same as Grant units. Have used these on two Lotus wheels, small and compact,they also bolt directly to the Spitfire spline, no welding.  A bit of modification on the wheel to fit the horn, but when installed the qd nearly disappears. No wheel wobble when on the shaft adapter.

[kram350kram]

Think I used Joes 13405