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Is This Steering Wheel Gap Normal?

themechanic

Oklahoma is OK
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I installed my standard steering wheel today on my 69 Coronet; torqued to 24 foot-pounds per the manual. I noticed what appears to be a big gap between the back of the wheel and the collar. Heck, I can clearly see the ugly yellow turn signal switch.

Is that normal? How much gap, if any, should there be?

Thanks FBBO

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This car has one that looks to be close.

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That gap is a lot smaller. I could live with that.

I forgot to mention the 3 spoke wheel was made by Goodmark and licensed by Chrysler.
 
Actually looks like something is missing.. Crap just noticed you said deluxe wheel. I guess the one I have is standard.

Here is a picture of the Roadrunner wheel without the horn ring and pad. It seems yours doesn't look the same. This is a 69 but they should not be that much different. Yours looks to be missing the entire bottom resin part.
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My bad. It is a standard. The only difference is the horn ring anyway.

My wheel looks just like yours.
 
My problem with my steering wheel is the part that holds your gear indicater on a automatic is loose as hell...Any answers would be great!! You can move the guage so you don't really line up with where its suppose to be..So drive is near the "n" area,and so forth
 
My problem with my steering wheel is the part that holds your gear indicater on a automatic is loose as hell...Any answers would be great!! You can move the guage so you don't really line up with where its suppose to be..So drive is near the "n" area,and so forth
You should start your own thread since they are different problems.

Thanks
 
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The gap between the back of the wheel and the collar is 1/16". But the distance from the OD of the collar to the OD of the back of the wheel is 21/64". The back of the wheel OD is 3 1/4". So, the collar must be 3 5/8". That 1/4" per side difference in diameters is making the gap look huge allowing the inner parts like the turn signal switch to show.

So, either I have the wrong wheel or wrong column. Assuming the wheel is the correct on, how can I tell if I have the correct floor shift column?
 
I took the horn pad and switch off and took a photo showing the difference in the diameter of the wheel and the column.

I cannot live with the gap. So, I think I'll remove this wheel and put the Grant wheel back on for now.


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The grant wheel probably uses an adapter, you must take it off before putting on a stock wheel. Did you take off the grant adapter ?
 
It looks like the horn button (contact plate) is either wrong or installed incorrectly. I believe the horn ring should set much closer to the wheel. The pad covers the gap.
 
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Is it a 69 wheel on a 70 car?
I don't know what year the column in the car is but it should be a 69. What is the difference in a 68-69 column and a 70 column?

*****Update*****
I just read that the 70 column is wider due to the ignition switch added to the column that year. My ignition switch is on the dash, not the column.
 
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I'm at my wits end with this wheel to column gap. I took the wheel, horn, horn ring, horn button, etc. off and checked part numbers. I have all the correct parts for a 69 Coronet standard wheel without tilt column. The gap is not between the wheel and column so much as the difference in diameter between the two. The base of the wheel is about 3 1/4" and the top of the column is about 3 3/4".

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The other part of the problem is what someone mentioned about the horn pad standoff from the wheel showing the parts underneath. That doesn't look normal but what do I know. Mine is the only one I've seen in person and most of the photos online are at the wrong angles to tell anything.

I am about ready to give up on having a factory wheel and just buy an aftermarket wheel again. :BangHead:
 
I have a 69 floor shift column for manual steering. I can take some measurements and pictures that may help you out. I will do it tomorrow. Its cold out in the shed right now. lol
 
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