10 Best Aftermarket Steering Wheels For Your Classic Car (2023)

FAQs

Are aftermarket steering wheels worth it? ›

If you enjoy optimizing every nook and cranny of your race car's interior, then aftermarket steering wheels are definitely worth considering. Stock steering wheels are practical and comfortable. They don't need replacing unless they're too large or if you're going for a dedicated race-car build.

Production cars without power steering normally use 350mm but some cars with very light steering will work okay with 320-330mm. Power steered cars will use 320-330 but smaller can work. Six-bolt wheels for use with a boss kit can go as small as 280mm and as large as 380mm.

If you're planning to use your vehicle as a road car, then a regular sized steering wheel is likely the right wheel for you. Alternatively, if it's going to be used on a race track, then you might consider a smaller steering wheel for increased comfort and more room in the racing cockpit.

As long as there's no airbag, and no other electrical connections (cruise control, radio, etc) then it should be pretty easy to change as long as you get a replacement designed for the car. You may not have a large-enough socket to get the nut off, but there shouldn't be any other special tools required.

A thick steering wheel rim helps maintain the smoothness of the steering operation, especially when you are on highways or driving on rough terrain. It gives a better handgrip and decreases pressure on your fingers.

Yes. The wider tire has a larger surface in contact with the road and it has to twist when turning and makes more friction.

Typical automotive steering ratios range from about 24:1 with manual steering to about 14:1 with power steering assist. The higher the steering ratio, the easier it is to turn the wheel and steer the vehicle. The lower the ratio is, the more effort is needed at the steering wheel.

There are three basic types of power steering systems found in vehicles: the hydraulic power steering (HPS), the electric power hydraulic steering (EPHS), and the fully electric power steering (EPS). Electric and electronic power steering both refer to the same system.

Should your steering wheel come higher than your shoulders? ›

The top of the wheel should be lower than your shoulders, your arms are relaxedTake a few moments to ensure that all of the vehicle's available adjustments are customized so that you are in a comfortable position before you begin to drive.

Before power steering became common, steering wheels were much larger in diameter than they are now — to help maximize the driver's leverage when trying to turn the wheels.

The size of the wheel is down to the fact older cars had no power steering. You needed as much help in turning the wheel as possible, so the bigger it is the more manageable the car is at low speeds. Once power steering is the norm the wheel can get much smaller.

Do aftermarket steering wheels make a difference? Yes. It's more than aesthetics. Changing the diameter, construction and materials of a steering wheel can make a huge difference in the driving experience.

Tie rods help your vehicle in terms of steering. Tie rods have two parts, an inner and outer end. The tie rod works with the Ball joint in converting force from the steering center link to the steering “knuckle.” Simply put, the tie rods help with steering smoothly and the front end alignment of your vehicle.

Are these aftermarket steering wheels illegal? If you have a car that didn't come with an airbag from the factory, which is typically cars made before the early 90s, then you can legally change your steering wheel to an aftermarket one.

Forged wheels

Some of the strongest wheels on the market are formed by the art of forging aluminium. This is done by subjecting a billet of material to a ridiculous amount of heat and around 900 bar of pressure, crushing the metal into an extremely dense and immensely strong wheel.

Advantages of Forged Wheels

The forging process makes these wheels stronger, more durable and more resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Additionally, the wheel's structural integrity is not compromised. Forged wheels tend to have greater overall vehicle performance and enhanced fuel efficiency.

The US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration recommend that drivers maintain distance of least 250 mm (10 inches) from the steering wheel to reduce risks associated with airbag deployment.

Why should you be 10 inches from the steering wheel? ›

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that roughly 10 inches or further is an optimal distance between a driver and their steering wheel, due to the amount of power that an airbag can produce when it deploys, this will help keep you safe.

Inadequate fluid is the reason makes hard and stiff steering. Thus, you need to keep the fluid at accurate full level and the color should be a dark red. If you observe that the fluid color is too dark and old, it's time for you to change the fluid.

Smaller wheel = smoothest ride quality, low stability, predictable handling, average road noise. Medium wheel = average ride quality, average stability, predictable handling, low road noise.

Rotating tyres regularly, and keeping down the uneven wear, helps to bring a better steering response. The inflation level of the tyres should be appropriate and upto mark. If this is not so, then the control of the vehicle is compromised, and so is the steering.

If the rim width is too wide, you run the risk of the tire ripping away at high speed. For 50-series tires and above, the rim width is 70% of the tire's section width, rounded off to the nearest 0.5.

Both hands should be placed outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides. Your grip should be firm, yet gentle. Use your fingers instead of the palms of your hands and keep your thumbs up along the face of the steering wheel. Never turn the wheel while gripping it from the inside of its rim.

Thus, the condition for correct steering is that all the four wheels must turn about the same instantaneous centre. The axis of the inner wheel makes a larger turning angle than the angle subtended by the axis of outer wheel.

Rear end gears (2.79's, 3.00's, 3.25's, etc) are great for freeway driving, bit not good for 0-60 MPH or accelerating from a dead stop. Shorter gears (higher numbers) are much better suited for accelerating, such as 3.55, 3.73, 3.91's, 4.11's etc. Always remember, for very “give” there is a “take”.

It's been almost 20 years since General Motors introduced a four-wheel steering system called Quadrasteer.

CrabWalk is a 4-Wheel Steering setting that allows the angle of the rear wheels to mimic the angle of the front wheels up to a certain angle (10 degrees). This allows you to move your vehicle diagonally.

What are the 2 steering techniques? ›

There are two methods of steering a motor vehicle that demonstrate correct steering wheel technique. These are the pull-push steering method and the hand-over-hand method. Your Driving Instructor should assist in deciding which method is most suitable for you.

Straight-six

So what's so special about the straight-six? Advantages: The straight-six is Inherently balanced. The layout combined with its firing order leads to essentially the smoothest engine out there.

Toyota vehicles are known for their longevity, and they are proven to last longer than any other brand. Toyotas are built so well they have below-average maintenance and repair costs, which helps contribute to why they remain on the road for so long.

The best overall direct drive racing wheel is the Fanatec DD1. It combines extreme performance, wide compatibility at a reasonable price range. However, there may be better suited direct drive wheel bases for your needs.

Can you put any steering wheel on any car? ›

Not all aftermarket steering wheels fit all cars. There are big differences in steering column construction and the main bolt which holds the wheel. Before buying the replacement, search the web for more details, dimensions and specifications.

All steering wheels on our website are universal and will fit any vehicle, but you will need the correct hub/boss adapter specific to your car or vehicle to install it.

Answer: There is no law specifically related to steering wheel size. The only issue would be if the mounting of the steering wheel is secure which could become an "unsafe equipment" violation. It would be unsafe to replace the original steering wheel with one without an airbag.

As said earlier, the sizes of wheels fall into a range. So, the covers that will fit each of their sizes can be determined using a measuring tape. The size range is between 14 and 17.5 inches, but trucks or heavy vehicles tend to have bigger wheels. Some wheels are as large as 22 inches.

Are these aftermarket steering wheels illegal? If you have a car that didn't come with an airbag from the factory, which is typically cars made before the early 90s, then you can legally change your steering wheel to an aftermarket one.

An aftermarket custom steering wheel is a super popular modification these days. It makes sense because the steering wheel is basically what allows you to connect and control your car beside the pedals and the shifter. Having a nice aftermarket steering wheel allows you to basically improve your driving experience.

The fitment and compatibility of OEM replica wheels provide a better ride for your vehicle than Aftermarket wheels. Since aftermarket wheels are made to fit many different vehicles, they will likely not match the exact specifications needed to fit your vehicle.

The steering linkage and power steering system might also take a blow, as they will have to operate larger and heavier wheels. Remember that unsprung weight thing? Yes, it has to do with that as well. The braking system will have a harder job ahead, and it will accelerate wear on the pads and discs.

Generally the shorter the sidewall or the lower the aspect ratio, the less time it takes to transmit the steering input from the wheel to the tread. The result is quicker steering response.

Look for a cover that is sized to fit your steering wheel snugly. I recommend you look for covers that fit the steering wheel in a one-inch range. For example, if your steering wheel is 15 inches in diameter, look for a cover that can fit the wheel between 14.5 and 15.5 inches in diameter.

Does the size of a steering wheel matter? ›

Smaller wheels may be more comfortable and take up less space, but the smaller the wheel, the more steering effort required (more so on a car with no power steering). This is less important for a race car, where the most you may need to turn the wheel is somewhere short of 180 degrees.

In most cases, installing a quick-release steering wheel is not street legal. If the factory steering wheel has an airbag, then any aftermarket steering wheel must also have an airbag. As there aren't any quick-release steering wheels with an airbag, this makes them illegal ipso facto.