Dahoof Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Hello everyone, I'm a newbie to the group and I'm ecstatic that there is a group dedicated to older Mopars. I have a feeling that I'm older than most of the members at 64. I have a 52 Plymouth Cranbrook with only 20,272 miles on it. I would like to change the steering wheel but haven't been able to find an adaptor to fit. The fine splines are bigger diameter than all the more modern shafts. The ones I've seen are only 1/2" and I need 3/4". Does anyone have any ideas on where I can get one? I don't want to use a weld in type, at some point I may want to remove it and put on the original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Is there a problem with your current steering wheel? Just curious as to why you want to swap it out? This has been discussed on this forum not too long ago. A forum search for that thread will give you a lot of options and opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 The original wheel is actually almost perfect, however, I find it extremely uncomfortable to grasp. The wheel is very thin and I have large hands. The second problem is that with the large diameter original wheel it's too tight with my belly. I know loose weight. I was thinking of moving the seat back 3-4" but the wheel will still be uncomfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plymouthcranbrook Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I re-positioned the seat in my 52 Cranbrook back about 4 inches and with the stock wheel Chubby Old me has a lot of room to steer easily. Very easy to do. Only took a couple of hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Now that someone else has moved the seat back, I think that t may go that route. Tell me what's involve in moving the seat back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casper50 Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 unbolting, moving back, marking holes, and drilling. Use really large washers or make a large brace under the floor, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 A smaller steering wheel will make the car difficult to steer at low or no speed. A lot more muscle will be required due to loss of mechanical advantage of the big wheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 Casper 50 thanks for the info. I wasn't sure if it was bolted or welded and it's been too cold to go out to the car. It seems like an easy fix. I'll fix the few cracks and paint it. Don Coatney I do know what you are talking about with loosing the leverage of the larger wheel, I had a 49 convertible and it was a bear to move the wheel when it was sitting still. I was thinking to possibly put in power steering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyHarold Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 Welcome to the forum. My wife lived in Little Neck before we were married and we had many meals at the Scobee Diner. I've got a '52 Cambridge and '51 Business Coupe. Can you post pictures of your '52? With so few miles it must be a real time capsule. Harold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted February 13, 2016 Report Share Posted February 13, 2016 be careful..the floor is the actual metal that is sandwiched between the seat frame and the backer beneath the floor. Inspect to see that this metal is solid and there is no los of integrity of the floorpan to the edge of the rocker top. the lower bracket is capture mounted. its physical size helps with the displacement for strength...in this case..go big or stay at home...your very butt depends on it..I have seen these broken out a number of times.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 Thanks for the warning about the floor. I was planning to reinforce it where necessary prior to reinstalling the seat frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 Harold, I have no idea on how to post pictures on here. I'd love to post zone for you. The car is a fun driver! If you can figure out what I have to do please let me know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyHarold Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 These are the photo attachment steps, if you want to attach a picture to a thread reply: 1. Hit 'Reply' 2. Then, choose 'More Reply Options' At bottom of page is the 'Attach Files' section 3. Hit 'Choose File' button Pick the file you want to attach (up to 3MB size) 4. Hit 'Attach This File' button The above should work for you. Harold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Here's a few pics of my new old baby. The gentleman who sold it to me used it as an advertising draw In front of his window business. The green lettering on it is vinyl and will come off with a heat gun. I started to replace the complete braking system. The lines and MC have been completed, however I still want to change the wheel cylinders, I have replacements sitting in the trunk. There will be three more projects to complete as soon as the weather warms up. I work outside the garage, unfortunately there is no room inside it. 1) convert it to 12 volts 2) rewire the whole car 3) AC I have the parts to complete the first two. I need the AC because we're moving to Arizona. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyHarold Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Small world! I'm familiar with your car. The window place is about a mile from my office and I'd pass the Cambridge every time I went for lunch in that direction. It's a nice car and I'm sure you'll enjoy driving it. Harold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmopar Posted February 15, 2016 Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Small world! I'm familiar with your car. The window place is about a mile from my office and I'd pass the Cambridge every time I went for lunch in that direction. It's a nice car and I'm sure you'll enjoy driving it. Harold I used to own that car, sold it to the person you bought it from. I will send you a pm later today with what I know about the car. Here is a photo of what the car looked like when I sold it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 That would be fantastic, I'd love to know more about the old girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dahoof Posted February 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2016 Thanks that would be fantastic, I'd love to know as much as possible about the old girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.