(Steering Wheel) Size Does Matter

[BQS4]

Now that I have your attention I have a German RAID leather steering wheel on my 75 Sportwagon. Well due to the 3 or 4 days of rain we've had here in Atlanta, the leather got real nasty, and sticky. I had to get the wheel dried off/out before I could clean and condition it. Not knowing how long that would take, I removed the steering wheel and replaced it, temporarily, with another custom wheel. Well, I had to do some running around and that would help waiting for the RAID wheel to dry out. Well, starting out with the other steering wheel, I noticed that it was more difficult to steer the car. At first I thought it was the tires low on air. Checked them when I got home, nope, still right on. Well, I got some leather cleaner/conditioner while I was out. The RAID wheel was dry, and I slathered it with the conditioner/cleaner and it was back to it's old self. So, I swapped the wheels back and went out for a quick run, and the steering was easy again. Got home and took out my tape measure and my RAID wheel is about 14 1/4" in diameter, and the other wheel is about 12 3/4". That 1 1/2" makes a difference in steering effort!

[Redskinsjbs]

Really? One is only 10% larger than the other.

When you say a 'huge' difference, I'd like to see it put into real - world terms.

Lets say you had to parallel park in a reletively tight spot, and in a power steering car you could do it in 20 seconds, and in the Sportwagon with the RAID wheel you could do it in 30, how long would it take with the smaller wheel?

[blancojp]

Actually, you are looking at only .75 inches not 1.5 inches.

The lever effect or moment is less with the smaller wheel therefore the steering is alot harder to turn.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs Really? One is only 10% larger than the other. When you say a 'huge' difference, I'd like to see it put into real - world terms. Lets say you had to parallel park in a reletively tight spot, and in a power steering car you could do it in 20 seconds, and in the Sportwagon with the RAID wheel you could do it in 30, how long would it take with the smaller wheel?

with the smaller wheel, it would probably take a little longer.

[stosh562]

Originally Posted by Redskinsjbs Really? One is only 10% larger than the other. When you say a 'huge' difference, I'd like to see it put into real - world terms. Lets say you had to parallel park in a reletively tight spot, and in a power steering car you could do it in 20 seconds, and in the Sportwagon with the RAID wheel you could do it in 30, how long would it take with the smaller wheel?

....and if a train left detroit at 9:00AM, going 45MPH and another train left cleveland at 10:30AM going 55MPH.......

[baz]

Originally Posted by stosh562 ....and if a train left detroit at 9:00AM, going 45MPH and another train left cleveland at 10:30AM going 55MPH.......

where do they bury the survivors?




it always amazes me how much more effort you have to put in when its a little smaller, you have to try really hard and be quicker in your actions still much better than a one thats too big so you end up feeling like your steering a ship with no rudder

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by blancojp Actually, you are looking at only .75 inches not 1.5 inches. The lever effect or moment is less with the smaller wheel therefore the steering is alot harder to turn.

It makes steering a little quicker, if you can turn it.

Haorld