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MG MGB Technical - Steering wheel help please...

Hi,Just got an MGB last week my first one ever, so a bit green on the ways of things. I've had 2 midgets, a Frogeye, a MGA and a TD.
It is a 1970 model G-HN5/218358 It has the non headrest seats, the octagon speaker dash and the Moto-Lita steering wheel has an old style large horn push.
I would like to fit an old style wire spoke steering wheel because this Moto-Lita is too small for my arthuritic hand and is in a poor state anyway.
My question is, what wheel "should" be on there as original, and if not the one I want, will such an item fit?
Any advice would be great..Thanks
Colin
c caygill

I had a car of similar vintage and it had a 15.5" diameter wheel with simulated leather rim and three spokes perforated with holes. The horn button was a large black plastic item covering the entire boss, with a moulded MG at the centre. I think I've still got the wheel in the loft as I sold the car with an aftermarket wheel. I'll look it out tomorrow and snap a photo.
Mike Howlett

Colin, for a GHN5 1970 MGB as mike said you should have a 3 spoke wheel with holes in, but the horn should be on the end of the indicator stork as in the photo

Andy Tilney

Thanks fellas. Mine has the horn push in the centre for some reason, so I was hoping to fit a large earlier wheel. If this is not possible I'll hunt out a better aftermarket one.
What is the difference on the column fitting?
Andy, we're neighbours! I'm over the hill in County Durham...Sadberge.
Cheers.
c caygill

The spoked wheel will probably fit, although I think there are two different versions with different sized splines, so you'll need to get the right one for your column.

If the horn push is on the end of the stalk, it will simplify things. If, however, it is on the wheel, you may find that there are more parts required for the conversion.
Dave O'Neill 2

Quote " Mine has the horn push in the centre for some reason,"

Because it's so much better there! In the 45 plus years since it was made there has been ample time for all sorts of modifications. I would consider it a bonus to have the horn in the centre of the wheel. Your car is one of the last made with the horn on the stalk. It was unpopular with buyers so they changed it back from car number 219001. (Source - Original MGB by Clausager.)
Mike Howlett

That's interesting Mike mine is a GNH5 1970 MY, but my chassis number is a few before that, you learn something new every day.
Andy Tilney

218358 *should* have the horn push on the column stalk.

As Mike says it is much better in the centre of the wheel, so as the Moto-Lita almost certainly came with a centre push the PO may well have made that change.

FWIW the ZS horn pushes are a nightmare - on the wheel but off-centre they move around as you turn the wheel, and each need a finger or thumb tip to operate, not good when you need it in an emergency. At least the stalk stays where it is and can be operated with the palm of your hand.

The steering column changed for the 1970 model year, gained a steering lock in 1971, and became collapsible in 1972. However everything I've read indicates the splines and thread were the same from 1970 to 76.

The 1970 wheel had three alloy spokes with five 'finger-trapping' holes in each but no horn push, gaining the horn push for 1971. For 1973 the steering wheel holes changed to 'jewellery-trapping' slots, then in June 73 the spokes were indented but not pierced.

Both that and the Moto-Lita (usually) need a brush attached to the indicator switch, that bears on a brass slip-ring on the back of the wheel to make the connection to the horn push. The standard wheel also had a sprung 'pencil' that fits between the back of the slip-ring and the underside of the switch. However it doesn't really need that, the Moto-Lita makes do with a wire soldered to the back of the slip-ring and a tag under a nut on the back of the push. You will need to bear these points in mind when planning to change wheels. More info on horn pushes here http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/hp.htm#2
paulh4

I have this which I removed from my '69. Central horn push. If you can't find one locally.

Michael Beswick

Many thanks guys.
From what I've read on here my best option is to go for a larger Moto-Lita wheel and retain the centre horn push. Less hassle, but I really like the look of the old style wire 3 spoked wheel.
Cheers
Colin
c caygill

The original style wheel has a thinner rim than a Moto-Lita. I find it easier and more comfortable to hold the thicker rim, which is why I have a 15" Moto-Lita on my MGB. The only downside is that it partially obscures the fuel and oil/water gauges. I have to deliberately move my head slightly to read them.
Mike Howlett

but I really like the look of the old style wire 3 spoked wheel.

Make me an offer!!!
Michael Beswick

"The only downside is that it partially obscures the fuel and oil/water gauges."

Which is one of the reasons I went back to the original, another being the lighter steering, despite the thinner rim which I soon got used to. If I hadn't I could have put a 70s-vintage leather steering wheel glove on, which I had on the plastic wheel of my Mini in the late 60s.

"but I really like the look of the old style wire 3 spoked wheel."

"Make me an offer!!!"

Almost certainly wouldn't fit the column after 1969.
paulh4

Regarding Paul's comment, my Moto-Lita is only half an inch smaller in diameter than the original wheel so it makes no noticeable difference to the weight of the steering. However, the 195 section tyres on my car do make a difference and that's why I now have EPAS. The reason it partly obscures the minor gauges is because the spokes are nearer the "ten to two" position than the "quarter to three" spokes on the original. It's a pity that Moto-Lita don't make a wheel with straight across spokes. I'm so used to my Moto-Lita that I'll stick with it. The gauge thing is only a very minor inconvenience.

I agree that the wire spoked wheel looks great, but as Paul said it is most unlikely to fit a later car, and if you have thick thighs you can have trouble slipping your leg under it. Interestingly, the spokes on that are nearer to the "twenty to four" position so give a very clear view of the instruments.
Mike Howlett

As I mentioned earlier, there were two versions of the wire spoked wheel.

I (roughly) measured my wheel earlier and the centre hole is approximately 3/4". I also have another wheel which measures approximately 5/8", which I was led to believe was from a US model.

The parts book gives a part number of AHH9285 for North America and AHH9284 NOT North America.

There are also two different numbers for the retaining nut.
Dave O'Neill 2

"but I really like the look of the old style wire 3 spoked wheel."

Almost certainly wouldn't fit the column after 1969.

The column is off a later car with steering lock and centre horn push. (FWIW)
Michael Beswick

'Quarter to three' with my head height is well below the minor gauges, and clear of the indications on the other two. Mine must have been more than 1/2" smaller, as the rim was right across the middle of the minor gauges.

paulh4

This thread was discussed between 30/08/2016 and 03/09/2016

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