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MG MGB Technical - 'Banjo' Steering Wheel


Is there any way to have the "Banjo" style wheel fit my 78B. I see there is one on eBay and I have always liked the appearance over my stock plastic wheel.

Thank you

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3601793199&category=3873
Ted Anderson

I don't think you can, without replacing the steering column. The diameter of the splined shaft is different. I have a 1970 roadster. When I bought it, it had the banjo steering wheel. At a swap meet, I bought a correct steering wheel, only to find that the column has a 7/16 inch shaft, while the wheel has a 1/2 inch opening. A little more checking and I determined that I have the steering column from a 68-69.
Paul Noble

I've got a 13 inch, flat motolita on my '77 car. Everybody who's driven it has commented on how nice the steering wheel is to use. Just a thought.
T J C Cuthill

Ted

The "aftermarket" wheels like the Motolita come with different hubs to adapt to the various steering column sizes and spline patterns. I am sure that, given ENOUGH money you could find a shop that could machine out the old hub to the new (assumed) larger size. For what it would cost you could probably buy a number of nice after market wheels.

FWIW

Larry
Lawrence Hallanger

Ted-
Nope. The spines and diameters are both different. Don't ask why. I went through this when I decided that I just had to have that classic banjo style steering wheel in my 1972 B. I had to get a steering column from a 1968 model. In your case, you'll need the earlier steering rack, too. By the way, there's actually two banjo style steering wheels for the MGB. One is the version used from 1962-1967, the other was used from 1968-1969. The mounting splines are different on these two steering wheels, so they're not interchangable.
Steve S.

Depending on how picky you can get, according to Clausager the plastic used on the '69 steering wheel rim is supposed to have been improved to prevent cracking. Check the Book for the exact car number of the change.
Seems reasonable, as my current car,and my previous one, were both '69s and the wheel rims were in very good condition. The spokes are stainless and clean up nice, and the center boss is easy to repaint.
If only I could find a better center boss than the Moss reproduction, which is slightly cheesy compared to the original.
I like this wheel a lot, especially with a leather cover.
Andrew Blackley

One thing not mentioned so far is that the banjo wheels are also larger in diameter than most wheels we are used to today and bigger even than the MGB wheels that followed them. I had one for my 68 when I first finished my restoration, and very quickly decided that it was bigger than I liked and not nearly so comfortable to deal with as a period aftermarket wheel I had from a 69 parts car. That, of course is a matter of choice, but something to think about if you don't like heaving a ships helm about. ;-)
Bob Muenchausen

I have the original banjo wheel on my 67, as Bob says, it is too large in diameter. When the CFO allows, I'll get a smaller wheel. Of course I'll keep the original for historical purposes!

Bud
Bud G

Now I have a question regarding this "new material" banjo steering wheel : how do you positively identify it ? What are the visible differences between the early acetate-rimmed ones and the later polypropylene ones ?
A.D. Clausager quotes MGB not NA 170028 / MGB NA 170587 as the change points (cars made from March 1969).
I have a 1969 wheel and just got pictures of a 1967 one : one wheel has 7 small holes on the back of the rim(about even angular spacing), the other one only 2.
Would this be an indication ? Both in fairly good condition.

Thanks in advance for any insight on this (I obviously cannot be 100% sure of the dates I indicate)

Gerard
GBP

This thread was discussed between 31/03/2003 and 26/05/2011

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