The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk smaller steering wheels

I have a 51 Chevy 3100 with the original steering column that I need a smaller steering wheel for. It now has power steering and a few other mods and I want to stay with a Chevy wheel of some kind, 14" or 15" preferably with the Chevrolet or bowtie logo in it like out of a Camaro or Chevelle. What I do not know is how long Chevy used that same size shaft and spline. I have found a couple of early Camaro wheels that look, in the pictures, like they might mount on my column but I really can't tell. Anybody have any ideas or maybe even a wheel? thanks!! slowgoer

When I bought my 69 chevelle, it had an early 70's steering wheel out of a camaro. I took it out and its available. It does not have a bowtie emblem but SS in the centre. It is in excellent condition and is black.

1953panel; Will it fit my 51 column? If so, how much with shipping to Georgia 30701? thanks! slowgoer

Shaft size and splines are the same up to at least the late '80s.
Question-Are you still running manual steering, or have you converted to power? If it's still going to be manual, you may want to rethink the smaller steering wheel.

It now has power steering but with the original column which is the main reason for the smaller wheel, as you know you have to have the big wheel for manual but it doesn't work well with power. slowgoer

Bill; So if I find a GM wheel(Camaro, Chevelle or whatever) that is any age up to the early 80s I should have no problem attaching to the 51 column??

Should be fine.

The Camaro wheel has a dish to it so with a stock column it may be a little too high since the stock wheel is flat. I used one off of a Fiero, it's flat, 3 spoke, and looks like a small version of the original wheel on my 56. I also used the center cap from a mid 70's Camaro with the bowtie logo.
Fred

Fred, What year was that Fiero. I definitely want a flat wheel also what was the year on the Camaro cap that fit the Fiero wheel? Did they fit the old column without any modification? Unless I hear something better, I think I will try to find that same set-up.

You may want to think about cutting the column shorter too. I took 4" off mine and with the smaller wheel,it makes a BIG difference.
Marty

The column does need to be shorter. How much trouble was it to cut it down? mitchell

I'm not sure of the year of the Fiero, one model had a longer hub. There seems to be plenty of them in the wrecking yards. The spline on the shaft is the same so it is a bolt on. The center cap is from any 70's Camaro ralley wheel also the same on Chevettes. I haven't figured how to post to this site yet but if you send me a email I can send you a picture.
Fred

You say you have power steering and the original column. Therefore your column has already been cut, to remove it from the original steering box. To make it even shorter it is as simple as trimming more off the bottom end and sliding it farther down in the dash clamp.
What I don't know is how the 3 speed shift linkage works if you do this.
I added power steering to my 52 and used the original column, but I left it at the stock length in the cab. I also use the stock wheel, and have no complaints or problems with it. I see no reason for a smaller wheel unless you don't fit in the truck with a large one. I can turn mine sitting still with one finger resting on the rim of the wheel, it's nice.

Grigg

I bought this truck as a work in progress. Someone else had already shortened the column. It also has a 350 with auto so no linkage concerns on this one. The stock wheel works fine except the ratio is quite different with a big wheel and power steering. The smaller wheel would make driving a little more "normal". If the shaft was shorter I wouldn't be as concerned about finding a flat wheel, I could use a dish type with no problem. mitchell

In a sense,the dish type with a shorter column would be safter too- With the column further away there is less chance of getting impaled in a collision.

Not to divert the theme of this thread, but I am considering converting to power steering so I interested in what is the best manner to go about it? Also, it sounds like if I am to change wheels I would want to do that prior to cutting the shaft? Thanks for the help.