Installing American Retro 15 inch Steering wheel

[mccsix]

Got my new 15" wheel but no instructions how to separate horn ring from the wheel to install it. I can force them apart but afraid I'll crack the horn ring. There are no directions with it, no screws in sight and reasonable pulling effort doesn't work. I've got the big boppers ready to separate them hoping for some help here.

[Joe Johnston]

MODERATOR NOTE
Since the prior posts were dated in 2016, I thought a new thread should be started.

[seany-boy]

isn't it just a anti-clockwise twist of the horn ring to pop it off? Maybe misunderstanding your problem here, maybe a photo?

[paul2748]

Push down on the center of the ring, turn counter clock wise. Remember to disconnect battery first.

It is my understanding that the serrations on the wheel do not match the shaft so you have to fix that before installing. Maybe not on all the the smaller wheels ???? Check with the seller to see if it has to be modified.

[Jimntempe]

Got my new 15" wheel but no instructions how to separate horn ring from the wheel to install it. I can force them apart but afraid I'll crack the horn ring. There are no directions with it, no screws in sight and reasonable pulling effort doesn't work. I've got the big boppers ready to separate them hoping for some help here.IMG_0779 (3).JPG

If you are still working on it, this may be helpful to you.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3f9a36fvu3bgi ... d.pdf?dl=0

[55blacktie]

I was wondering if the smaller retro wheels sold by the Tbird suppliers have the alignment notch in the splines that mates up to the same alignment notch/splines on the upper steering shaft. If not, could that be why some people have complained about fitment issues?

[Jimntempe]

I was wondering if the smaller retro wheels sold by the Tbird suppliers have the alignment notch in the splines that mates up to the same alignment notch/splines on the upper steering shaft. If not, could that be why some people have complained about fitment issues?

No, they do not. I first filed the new wheel to create such a notch but it was still way too tight. I had to file all of the wheels splines down to a slightly small ID to finally get it to fit.

[55blacktie]

Thanks, Jim.

I bought a steering-wheel adapter that's specifically for 55-57 Tbirds, but it doesn't have the alignment notch. The splines otherwise seem to match up, but I've not yet attempted to install it. I don't want to damage the splines on the upper shaft by forcing the adapter on.

[BJRVentport2]

I was at an indoor car show and one of the vendors had a small T-Bird steering wheel hanging on a display. I asked about it thinking I could save shipping buying it from him at the show. He told me they were splined for a standard GM tilt column that all the street rodders and aftermarket columns use. I wonder if that is why they don't fit our Birds?

[55blacktie]

It doesn't make sense that they would market a Tbird wheel with a GM hub. Maybe the guy didn't know what he was talking about. If it's the same wheel that's sold by Tbird suppliers, I would chalk it up to manufacturing tolerances/quality control (or lack thereof). Maybe someone should tell them that they're not "One size fits all."

[paul2748]

My understanding (and maybe I'm wrong) that the installation problems was the result of incorrect splines in the hub. Specifically, it was not "keyed" like the factory wheel. I don't know if this is still the case.

[Jimntempe]

My understanding (and maybe I'm wrong) that the installation problems was the result of incorrect splines in the hub. Specifically, it was not "keyed" like the factory wheel. I don't know if this is still the case.

It's not keyed but it also is just a little bit too small an inner diameter of the splines on the wheel hub. I'm doubtful it's a GM hub since all the Ford parts otherwise fit it, like the horn mounting stuff. But in any case, it's only off by a tiny amount which can be fixed with a "v" file to open up the ID and to file down the one "spline rib" which shouldn't be there at all. There are other issues with it too that make it very hard to get the horn ring on and off. That too can be fixed.

[BJRVentport2]

It would be nice to hear from the original poster on how the install went, what issues he had and how he fixed them.