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#1 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 19,866
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Repro steering wheel?
So I was reading a WTB thread on the 72 style steering wheel and someone mentioned that there is no steel reinforcement built in to a reproduction steering wheel. Does anyone know if this is true? Is the entire wheel made of plastic and bonded to the center hub? Since Ive never actually seen one is it also a faithful reproduction?
Really seems kind of unsafe if its just plastic.
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#2 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Dallas Texas
Posts: 1,380
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I purchased a repro wheel and it was true to the look but very flimsy. If you pressed in on the top of the wheel towards the dash it would bend in. Took it out and bought an original here on the site. Much happier with the original.
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#3 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
It is absolutely not true. Is this site turning into Facebook?
![]() BUT... That was the first ones offered and probably 10 years ago the were supposedly improved, or so those who bought them were saying. Let's see what those who have actual experience with these give their impressions.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#4 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 19,866
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
Ok so maybe the steel they use is just a smaller diameter. That makes me feel better (a little).
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#5 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: bowmansville,pa
Posts: 1,678
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Syracuse, Utah
Posts: 499
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I was tempted to try a repop wheel for my 67, but reading reviews scared me away. My original is cracked in a few places, but not badly. Going to try my hand at repair.
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Justin '67 C20 CST Custom Camper '04.5 LLY Duramax CCSB...sold |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
Yes, the reproductions have a core of some kind. I wouldn't be so certain that it's steel, but it probably is. But if could also be "Ramen Noodle". They're pretty flimsy compared to the originals.
The grain pattern is also a but wrong, too "deep". But otherwise the look (and even feel) is close enough that for the price, I think the reproductions are a good value. I tried to buy an NOS wheel from someone on the board and they wanted way too much. And I just paid $1000 for a red NOS wheel that fits Camaro/Impala/etc, but the truck wheels are more like a $400 piece to me. Here's my comparison (with photos and so on) of the OER wheel to an NOS one, but this is for their car piece, not the truck units: http://canadianponcho.activeboard.co...-wheel-in-red/
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#8 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I recall it being about 3/16" where the OEM is what, 5/16"?
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I'm not cutting mine open to find out, but probably. 1/4" or 3/16" rod in there are best, I imagine.
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1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I'm going to guesstimate my repro had a core made out of a rubber band. Whatever the core is, it is NOT equivalent to a factory wheel. As stated above - it bends like it's spaghetti. That's why the originals in good condition are a sought after, expensive item, it's not because there is a part number associated with it. Will I use a repro, yes, I have. I do shell out for factory wheels when I can find them though.
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#11 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Cal
Posts: 20,005
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I’ve used both. The oems are sturdier when you push and flex them real hard. I don’t normally drive around trying to push and flex my steering wheel though, so it doesn’t really matter to me
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1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man |
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#12 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I had no issue with flex while driving the repro I used. It's plenty sturdy going roundy round. Like Zepp, I never wrestled with it, just took notice when first mounted when I checked for comparison. But it do blame the flex factor for the crack at 12 o'clock in 4 years. Must have been flexing more than I could tell or it was event, like a sudden stop or rough terrain.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#13 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Smyrna TN
Posts: 1,153
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I have one in my truck now. I didn't intentionally try and flex the wheel, I simply pushed on the wheel to sit up straight in the seat and quickly found out how flimsy the re-pop's are. Looks great but...
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1971 Longbed BB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed SB Cheyenne Super 1972 Longbed Highlander Custom Deluxe 1975 K5 4x4 full convertible Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=645165 Greg Smyrna TN |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Central Coast, CA
Posts: 500
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
There might be a crash test dummy element to the strength of these reproduction steering wheel reinforcements.
I have the OER one too and I noticed it was more flexible than my hopelessly cratered original; but thought maybe the flexiness was partly by design so that the repro would "give" in a crash. OER seems to have spared no expense on the actual hub - that part I thought was better made than my original. Also they seem to have taken pains to offer all of the colors and at $200 or $250 I don't recall exactly - I'm glad they are on offer and would buy one again. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Tulsa, OK
Posts: 415
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Re: Repro steering wheel?
I'm going to bring this back up. I see the difference is reproduction is more flimsy than the OEM, but, is there a way to tell (visually, or by measuring) which wheel I have? I have not had the chance to "feel" an OEM wheel that I know of. So, I have no comparison.
Reason I ask, I bought a 67-72 wheel for my truck, but went with an 80's style wheel instead. Now, I'm thinking of listing the 67-72 wheel for sale, but not sure what I have - OEM or Reproduction.
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1971 C10 - Hugger Orange/White My Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=780197 LS Swap Thread: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=811460 |
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