The Ford Barn

CaceyB · 05-22-2012, 11:22 PM

I am having trouble fitting a steering wheel to the shaft. It is a reproduction wheel that has "DRAKE" printed on the underside near the base. I don't know if this particular wheel is a bad fit, maybe someone out there has some experience. The splines on the shaft appear to have some burrs (or something similar) and I filed them a bit, but I don't want to spend all my time filing if the wheel will not fit anyway.

Cacey

1931 flamingo · 05-23-2012, 07:57 AM

Is this a re-pop A wheel. Thought Drake manuf V8 parts.
Paul in CT

Richard Wilson · 05-23-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Is this a re-pop A wheel. Thought Drake manuf V8 parts.
Paul in CT

I had the exact same thought. V-8? I do not have a Drake catalog so can not say for sure.

jimvette59 · 05-23-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaceyB

I am having trouble fitting a steering wheel to the shaft. It is a reproduction wheel that has "DRAKE" printed on the underside near the base. I don't know if this particular wheel is a bad fit, maybe someone out there has some experience. The splines on the shaft appear to have some burrs (or something similar) and I filed them a bit, but I don't want to spend all my time filing if the wheel will not fit anyway.

Cacey

If it has a DRAKE on the back it is obviously a
repop. Call Bob Drakes and ask questions.

Cris Z · 05-23-2012, 01:32 PM

It is my understanding that Drake did the original tool work for the USA made wheels sold by most of the current parts houses today....that would be back about 20 years. Since the dies were still relatively new at that time, they are generally thought to be a better quality reproduciton. If you recently purchased a wheel you know how much clean-up is needed to make it look near original.

ursus · 05-23-2012, 04:10 PM

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I have a Model A Drake wheel in the original box and was hoping to use it on the car currently under restoration. There is some slag at the mold parting lines that will have to be sanded off. I guess I better check the fit on the steering shaft!

I recall about 20 years back seeing a Drake wheel on somebody's "A" and thought it looked nice for a repop. The owner told me that Drake himself made only one or two manufacturing runs of the wheels and had a number of rejects, with minor flaws. He and some of his club members bought the rejects for a low price, fixed the flaws, and installed them on their own cars. He didn't say what was flawed. This is in Oregon, where Drake is located.

05-22-2012, 11:22 PM	#1
CaceyB Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 88	Steering Wheel Fit I am having trouble fitting a steering wheel to the shaft. It is a reproduction wheel that has "DRAKE" printed on the underside near the base. I don't know if this particular wheel is a bad fit, maybe someone out there has some experience. The splines on the shaft appear to have some burrs (or something similar) and I filed them a bit, but I don't want to spend all my time filing if the wheel will not fit anyway. Cacey __________________ I can't wait to do more of this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2IjBUESAEQ

05-23-2012, 07:57 AM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Steering Wheel Fit Is this a re-pop A wheel. Thought Drake manuf V8 parts. Paul in CT

05-23-2012, 01:32 PM	#5
Cris Z Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2	Re: Steering Wheel Fit It is my understanding that Drake did the original tool work for the USA made wheels sold by most of the current parts houses today....that would be back about 20 years. Since the dies were still relatively new at that time, they are generally thought to be a better quality reproduciton. If you recently purchased a wheel you know how much clean-up is needed to make it look near original.

05-23-2012, 04:10 PM	#6
ursus Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,462	Re: Steering Wheel Fit Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a Model A Drake wheel in the original box and was hoping to use it on the car currently under restoration. There is some slag at the mold parting lines that will have to be sanded off. I guess I better check the fit on the steering shaft! I recall about 20 years back seeing a Drake wheel on somebody's "A" and thought it looked nice for a repop. The owner told me that Drake himself made only one or two manufacturing runs of the wheels and had a number of rejects, with minor flaws. He and some of his club members bought the rejects for a low price, fixed the flaws, and installed them on their own cars. He didn't say what was flawed. This is in Oregon, where Drake is located.