GT6 Mk3 Steering Wheel

[Blakes73]

Hello everyone, I have what I think is a TR steering wheel, that will eventually go into my Mk3 GT6. Looking at pictures of GT6 Mk3 steering wheels, the diameter of the outer ring (the part you hold) looks greater/thicker than the wheel I have. Would one of you kind people mind measuring the diameter of outer ring/the part you hold and let me know what it measures.

Regards~

Edited October 27, 2023 by Blakes73

[Stratton Jimmer]

My Mk3 GT6 has a 12" Mountney which is way too small. My Sixfire has a 14" Moto Lita which is much better. The GT6 will be getting a change of steering wheel shortly. (It's on my Xmas present list!)

[Colin Lindsay]

I just ran a quick on-line check but can't really see much difference; both GT6 wheel and TR6 wheel look 'almost' identical but although I've seen it quoted that the GT6 received a 'TR6-style' wheel, I can't verify any differences especially the thickness of the rim.

If the diameter is the same then at least the steering won't be affected, as it is with smaller wheels that make it really heavy. (I once tried an Opel GT wheel that was very nice looking but huge, couldn't even get my legs under it....)

Edited October 29, 2023 by Colin Lindsay

[Stratton Jimmer]

13 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said:

smaller wheels that make it really heavy.

Dead right Colin. The small Mountney is only good for developing muscles like Popeye!

[PeteH]

Electric PAS conversion?

Pete

[dougbgt6]

9 hours ago, Stratton Jimmer said:

Dead right Colin. The small Mountney is only good for developing muscles like Popeye!

One of ours at East Berks has power steering on his Spitfire and a tiny  steering wheel.

Doug

[Nigel Clark]

I believe original GT6 and TR6 steering wheels were 15 inch diameter. On both my TR and my GT, I have 14 inch wheels. This feels like an ideal compromise to me, large enough not to be too heavy at parking speeds, but slightly smaller for faster steering response.

Also, for taller drivers, the smaller wheel gives more space for the thighs.

Nigel

[Colin Lindsay]

On 29/10/2023 at 20:05, dougbgt6 said:

One of ours at East Berks has power steering on his Spitfire and a tiny  steering wheel.

Doug

I say! That IS tiny. 

I agree with Nigel, having too much leg and too little room, but semi-dished also helps bring the rim up and away from the thighs. I also fitted a Vitesse wheel to the Herald and the inch or so difference was very helpful whilst not affecting the turning resistance. 

[Ian Foster]

I have a 12" Astrali wheel on my GT6 mk2, which has about an inch of dish. It came with the car in 1977 and as I was only 21 years old at the time, I thought it was cool (still is quite).

The steering is quite heavy at low speeds but absolutely fine once in normal driving and I've done over 130k miles with it.  I run 27/24 psi front/rear (to suit the frontal weight bias) on 175/70-13 tyres.

I have tried the larger GT6 wheel (I bought and fitted one back in the 80s when my wife needed to use the car) but find it just too restrictive on my legs as I hate to drive with splayed knees.

A bigger wheel might work for me, if it had a substantial dish.

Ian

Edited November 8, 2023 by Ian Foster
update

[Casper]

33 minutes ago, Ian Foster said:

I have tried the larger GT6 wheel (I bought and fitted one back in the 80s when my wife needed to use the car) but find it just too restrictive on my legs as I hate to drive with splayed knees.

Don't forget the in and out adjustment of the steering column.  Coupled with a semi-dished wheel it can be the solution for even 6 ft + drivers

C.

[KevinR]

If the steering is too heavy with any given steering wheel, you can always over inflate the tyres.

They will wear out in the centre faster than they should, but how many of us do enough miles during the safe life of a tyre to wear it out. 

[Martin V]

On 27/10/2023 at 15:44, Blakes73 said:

Hello everyone, I have what I think is a TR steering wheel, that will eventually go into my Mk3 GT6. Looking at pictures of GT6 Mk3 steering wheels, the diameter of the outer ring (the part you hold) looks greater/thicker than the wheel I have. Would one of you kind people mind measuring the diameter of outer ring/the part you hold and let me know what it measures.

Regards~

Hi,

Not sure if you got what you were looking for ? My GT6 Mk3 steering wheel (with the three arms with a slit in each) is 14 1/2 " outer edge to outer edge and the actual rim width is 1" measured on the front. Circumference is 3". There are some ergonomic bumps on the reverse to aide grip. I agree, I also find it very thin to hold but then that is because we are used to lovely shaped ergo wheels in our daily cars I guess. I'm looking at the leather covers which someone else has posted about.

[Blakes73]

Thanks Martin, yes, sounds like the one I have and the dims are the same. Its maybe just the photos that I've seen make the padding look thicker. Totally agree with your comments reference modern steering wheels, we're spoilt!

[Pete Lewis]

its down to getting older and skinny wheel rims cant be gripped any more with the wonky pinkies   ha !!

Pete

[johny]

yes probably need one of those steering wheel knobs to bolt on😩

[Pete Lewis]

Im sure Doug will come up with a  suitable picture  ???

Pete

[Chris A]

1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said:

Im sure Doug will come up with a  suitable picture  ???

Pete

Or an unsuitable one . .

[dougbgt6]

Doug

[Bfg]

^ great photo Doug

On 27/10/2023 at 15:44, Blakes73 said:

Would one of you kind people mind measuring the diameter of outer ring/the part you hold and let me know what it measures.

My TR4A has a wooden rimmed steering wheel, but having driven others I think it is much the same dimensions as standard. . .

   

Outside diameter is a tad shy of 15" (around about 14-7/8 to 15/16") and as you can see in the second photo the rim is about 3/4".

I wouldn't want much less diameter for car-park manoeuvring running on 28psi tyre pressures and 165/80-15 tyres.  Harder pressure is lighter but you feel it in the car's ride. I've set my car's steering geometry to be responsive. I wouldn't want it any more so. Indeed I'll soon be checking and readjusting it.. to lessen the car's presently slight vagueness at motorways speeds.   

Do bear in mind, when you try a different sizes of steering wheel ; your reach to the column switches as well as visibility to both major and minor gauges.   I'm 6'-5" and a little too broad for a TR4 but the diameter of this size of steering wheel and it's relatively shallow dish are not a problem for me either when driving or when getting in and out. Mind you I have discarded the H-frame so i have more room for my knee over the gearbox cover.  I did modify the rear wheel arches to move the seats much further back, so my legs are straighter than with the standard geometry, and I'm now sitting in leather TR6 (tilt backrest) seats with good diaphragms and foam. They offer better under-thigh support (are higher in the squab) than the Mazda Mx5 seats I had until recently.  

Hope that helps.   Pete

 

 

Edited December 6, 2023 by Bfg

[dougbgt6]

Out of interest the steering wheel I posted is genuine and from a 1961 Chrysler Imperial. Love the fins!

Doug

[Pete Lewis]

we had one of those as our wedding car 

after 50+ years i still like the car 

[dougbgt6]

And the wife? 

Doug

[Chris A]

Just now, dougbgt6 said:

And the wife? 

Doug

She probably still likes the car as well. 🙄

[Blakes73]

On 06/12/2023 at 18:24, Bfg said:

^ great photo Doug

My TR4A has a wooden rimmed steering wheel, but having driven others I think it is much the same dimensions as standard. . .

   

Outside diameter is a tad shy of 15" (around about 14-7/8 to 15/16") and as you can see in the second photo the rim is about 3/4".

I wouldn't want much less diameter for car-park manoeuvring running on 28psi tyre pressures and 165/80-15 tyres.  Harder pressure is lighter but you feel it in the car's ride. I've set my car's steering geometry to be responsive. I wouldn't want it any more so. Indeed I'll soon be checking and readjusting it.. to lessen the car's presently slight vagueness at motorways speeds.   

Do bear in mind, when you try a different sizes of steering wheel ; your reach to the column switches as well as visibility to both major and minor gauges.   I'm 6'-5" and a little too broad for a TR4 but the diameter of this size of steering wheel and it's relatively shallow dish are not a problem for me either when driving or when getting in and out. Mind you I have discarded the H-frame so i have more room for my knee over the gearbox cover.  I did modify the rear wheel arches to move the seats much further back, so my legs are straighter than with the standard geometry, and I'm now sitting in leather TR6 (tilt backrest) seats with good diaphragms and foam. They offer better under-thigh support (are higher in the squab) than the Mazda Mx5 seats I had until recently.  

Hope that helps.   Pete

 

 

Thanks.

[Pete Lewis]

that looks like  Les Leston handwheel  had one on my Vit6  believe it was a  triumph optional 

Pete