What's the deal with the front of this steering wheel?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Here are images of the front of two different steering wheels. The first image is of the wheel off my 71. My other two wheels are the same.

The second image is of a wheel I recently purchased. Why is it different, were there two different types? Is it missing the piece per the top image, and does the piece pop off somehow?

All four wheels have the same stamp 9749753

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I suspect the wheel in image two is just missing the rim. If so, I'd like to pull one off my other wheel. I took a knife to the perimeter of the rim, but it still doesn't budge. I believe I need to be drilled out where shown in this image. Anyone?

Reason I bought the wheel to begin with (2nd image). Grain looks super or close

[DeadheadNM]

See this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=575539

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

See this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=575539

Thanks Pete, though I don't believe the thread addresses this issue. The new steering wheel has the original bolt pattern.

Can't for the life of me understand why the "new" steering wheel (Image 2 in OP) doesn't have a rim on the front center. Perhaps it was broke and they removed it. I'm hoping someone knows what's up and can clue me in on what to do. I haven't fully committed to the steering wheel yet, I have to very soon. I'd like to own it, though would also like to know what I'm getting into. The wheel is NOT cheap. For all I know it's toast.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Well I found out it's a dust shield for the turn signal. They're likely attached using molded plastic. The seller thinks he has an extra. Otherwise I steal one off another. Any ideas how to mount one appreciated. I bought the wheel. Pretty expensive man, but the project warrants it, so WTH. I've only seen 1-2 available with this grain, early take-off

[DeadheadNM]

Oops. You are right. I’ve never seen that component missing and haven’t a clue as to how to reattach one. Maybe I’m wrong but something looks different about the finish on that wheel - this and the black color on the hub make me think it’s been painted and therefore possibly repaired.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Oops. You are right. I’ve never seen that component missing and haven’t a clue as to how to reattach one. Maybe I’m wrong but something looks different about the finish on that wheel - this and the black color on the hub make me think it’s been painted and therefore possibly repaired.

I should be able to tell after I get it. Any signs of repair/paint it's going back. I think you're right about the hub though. I don't think they're painted from factory, though I've seen more with paint than w/o. By the pic. there doesn't appear to be any rust. See what happens.

Incidentally, I believe that wheel just needs to be polished. I bought another some time ago, and unlike the one I pulled off the truck it was dull like this new one. Made me wonder if painted. I sanded it down to I believe 3000 grit, still somewhat dull. Word is white rouge compound and a soft flannel buff are in order in these cases. I just did a half job on a spoke, and the finish is the same as my old one.

[special-K]

These wheels were used in Vans through '78. It could be they changed molds or it's a different jobber at some point post-72

[DeadheadNM]

I’ve never polished a bowling ball but wonder if the same techniques would apply.

Good point Tim. I pulled an excellent example from a 70s van a few years ago.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by special-K

These wheels were used in Vans through '78. It could be they changed molds or it's a different jobber at some point post-72

It appears to me that the later (van?) wheels had a somewhat different grain on the rim portion of the wheel. The grain on my original appears "finer"/ sharper than the later wheels. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it just difference in wear? Here are closeups of mine which was covered most of its life.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by special-K

These wheels were used in Vans through '78. It could be they changed molds or it's a different jobber at some point post-72

Could be, but in this case the wheel is simply missing the dust rim. So I get to learn something new I guess.

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

It appears to me that the later (van?) wheels had a somewhat different grain on the rim portion of the wheel. The grain on my original appears "finer"/ sharper than the later wheels. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it just difference in wear? Here are closeups of mine which was covered most of its life.

I agree, there does appear to be some differences in grain. Hard to tell, but the grain on this NOS appears less "fine/sharp" than yours. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=656232

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

It appears to me that the later (van?) wheels had a somewhat different grain on the rim portion of the wheel. The grain on my original appears "finer"/ sharper than the later wheels. Has anyone else noticed this? Is it just difference in wear? Here are closeups of mine which was covered most of its life.

This is absolutely the case. I’ll post a grain pic when possible of a later example. The diameter on the later wheel I have feels larger than the earlier wheel though I’ve not measured either.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I have a hard time believing the van business, though not saying you're wrong either. The grain on my original wheel looks nothing like the fine grain on Jim's wheel. Most wheels I've seen don't, worn or otherwise. Granted the top of my wheel is warn out, but there's no apparent wear along most of the spokes. Doesn't mean the wheel wasn't replaced at some point, but knowing the history, I don't know why the old man would have pre-1989. Could be the spokes wear out easily too, though I don't know why they would.

Jim's wheel preceded my 71, both likely have the same original casting # (9749753). Perhaps there were variances in molds both before and after 1971ish. That or I don't have a clue, which I really don't

[DeadheadNM]

Here’s the best photo I can muster at the moment of the later style grain

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Be nice to see more examples of Jim's wheel, and what years they come from. Everything I have is like post #14, and two are mostly smooth on top from wear.

Post 18 appears to show both grain types: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=731213

Post 40 Pete: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=731213&page=2

[BigBird05]

DIY: Parts that the GM warehouse orders (NOS,OEM) don't always come from the same vender that made the production parts.

[FirstOwner69]

My wheel (part # 9749753) is the original from the factory unless the dealer had some reason to change it in the months between production and when I bought the truck new in 1969. I put a leather cover on the wheel about 1972 when the truck had less than 25,000 miles. I removed the cover in 2010 at 118,713 miles when I started the restoration. I have looked at the grain many times and wondered what it would look like worn to a level similar to the "good" ones we normally see. Perhaps it would look the same as the others. Obviously, as mentioned above, more than one grain type could have been used with the same part number, but why would mine be unique other than it has very little wear?

That said, I have a spare tilt I rescued from a van that has the part #335212 wheel. I don't recall the year that the van was, but it must have been early 70s since the tilt has a metal gear indicator housing, a truck type indicator lens (both supposedly used only on truck tilts) and a curved wiring connector. That wheel has a pattern similar to what we normally see. I have another wheel which I believe came from my junkyard truck tilt that I will have access to in a couple days. I'll check the part number and post it here.

EDIT: Here's a link to a wheel sold here that both Tony and Pete responded to. It looks to me that my wheel might display this pattern if worn. It also may look like Tony's in post 2.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=706730

And a discussion Pete and I had in 2013 that involved part # 335212.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=575539

[DeadheadNM]

Typical OEM 69-72 grain pattern no wear...granular appearance

[DeadheadNM]

Later style post-72 GM no wear with a different part number...”alligator skin”

[randy500]

Deadhead, thanks for posting that, i have noticed it too but never thought much about it being actually different grain. I see now it is

Tony, i looked at a few cracked wheels i have here, the piece that your missing seems to not come off, its glued or molded in. Wonder why its MIA

[randy500]

Factory service manual explains correcting steering wheel flaws, scratches etc, i believe it says wipe with acetone (which dissolves the plastic) then polish it. I saw it recently in a 72 gm car service manual that covers corvettes, camaro, etc,

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by randy500

Deadhead, thanks for posting that, i have noticed it too but never thought much about it being actually different grain. I see now it is

Tony, i looked at a few cracked wheels i have here, the piece that your missing seems to not come off, its glued or molded in. Wonder why its MIA

That piece (dust shield) is attached with molded plastic, perhaps glue as well. They probably probably broke it.

I have my new wheel and "spare" dust cover sitting in a box. I'll show you guys what it looks like when I get to it.

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

My wheel (part # 97497530) is the original from the factory unless the dealer had some reason to change it in the months between production and when I bought the truck new in 1969. I put a leather cover on the wheel about 1972 when the truck had less than 25,000 miles. I removed the cover in 2010 at 118,713 miles when I started the restoration. I have looked at the grain many times and wondered what it would look like worn to a level similar to the "good" ones we normally see. Perhaps it would look the same as the others. Obviously, as mentioned above, more than one grain type could have been used with the same part number, but why would mine be unique other than it has very little wear?

That said, I have a spare tilt I rescued from a van that has the part #335212 wheel. I don't recall the year that the van was, but it must have been early 70s since the tilt has a metal gear indicator housing, a truck type indicator lens (both supposedly used only on truck tilts) and a curved wiring connector. That wheel has a pattern similar to what we normally see. I have another wheel which I believe came from my junkyard truck tilt that I will have access to in a couple days. I'll check the part number and post it here.

EDIT: Here's a link to a wheel sold here that both Tony and Pete responded to. It looks to me that my wheel might display this pattern if worn. It also may look like Tony's in post 2.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=706730

And a discussion Pete and I had in 2013 that involved part # 335212.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=575539

I wondered that too, is it possible all the grains were like yours at some point, and wear caused them to appear as a different grain? But I don't think so, the valleys seem much longer in the "later grain".

If there are two different grains, I'm not so sure it's as simple as "69-72" grain Vs "later van" grain. Might be a 69-70 grain Vs later grain, just guessing here.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

If there are two different grains, I'm not so sure it's as simple as "69-72" grain Vs "later van" grain. Might be a 69-70 grain Vs later grain, just guessing here.

Maybe.... only The General knows for sure!

[Spartan]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Maybe.... only The General knows for sure!

This is nos grain afaik. Not black but I thought I'd post for data points.
Posted via Mobile Device

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Spartan

This is nos grain afaik. Not black but I thought I'd post for data points.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks for your input. Mine appears closer to new than I thought. Too bad it has a few small cracks.