Steering Wheel Diameter

[mdbrandy]

Quick question: When a steering wheel is said to be "14 inch diameter", what does that mean exactly? Is it the absolute measurement from the rim outside to outside, or is it the diameter from the center of the rim on one side to the center of the rim on the other. I'm trying to compare aftermarket wheels to the OEM wheel on my 1978 280Z. The OEM wheel is 15" from outside to outside, or 14" from the center of the rim on one side to the center of the rim on the other.

Anybody know?

Thanks.

[mdbrandy]

....

[2ManyZs]

That's a darn good question.....

I looked around on some of the wheel manufacturers sites in their FAQ's and such, and couldn't find the answer.

[mdbrandy]

Neither could I. I figured maybe someone that had recently bought a "14 inch" aftermarket wheel or something could go out and put a tape measure to it...I'd appreciate it :classic: .

Essentially, I don't want to increase the steering effort in the car by changing the wheel, so I'd like to get one with a wheel about the same size. So I need to know what size is what...

Thanks.

[2ManyZs]

Just for the heck of it, I went out and measured both of the Grant wheels I have.

One measures ~11 1/4 inside, and ~13 3/4 outside

The second one is ~10 1/2 inside, and ~13 outside.

What I don't know, is which one was advertised at 13 inch, or 14 inch..... of if both were advertised as 13's....

The are both different styles, and the thickness of the rims is very different between the two.

To be safe, I'd say go with a 14 inch wheel, which, will probably be slightly smaller than the original, while still being large enough that it won't affect the steering effort too much.

The 13 inch wheel I've got is fine when used along with the short steering arms.

[mdbrandy]

Thanks for the info 2ManyZ's - I'm looking at a couple of 14" Wheels that MSA sells, so I ought to be in the ballpark. I'm surprized that this question has never come up before, but I couldn't find it in the forum archives!