Early Steering Wheel with Later Column

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
erkbrn
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 2:24 am
First Name: Eric
Last Name: Brown
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1915 Speedster
Location: San Diego
Board Member Since: 2019

Early Steering Wheel with Later Column

Post by erkbrn » Fri Jan 01, 2021 1:52 pm

Hello all,

I was recently given a nice, wooden steering wheel for my 1915. The wheel that is currently on the car is one of the black Fordite ones from a later car. The Fordite wheel spider has one key slot, and the earlier wheel has two slots. The end of the column seems to have slots for two keys, with only one being used to secure the Fordite wheel. However the steering box style suggests a later column. Can anyone tell me if the column is in fact an early or later one? Will an earlier wheel fit onto a later column? Is there is a difference in column diameter between the earlier and later columns?

The Fordite wheel seems to slide on easily whereas the early wheel seems to fit but with difficulty/very little clearance. I haven't tried to get the early wheel on all the way for fear it may get stuck. Thanks.
Steering Box 1.jpg
Steering Box 2.jpg

User avatar

Steve Jelf
Posts: 7237
Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
First Name: Steve
Last Name: Jelf
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
Board Member Since: 2007
Contact:

Re: Early Steering Wheel with Later Column

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri Jan 01, 2021 2:33 pm

IMG_5801 copy.JPG
The horn wire tube on a 1915 column is smaller than later years.

IMG_0072 copy.JPG
Yes, the 1915 and earlier posts have two keys. I don't know when the change to a single key was made. The horn button introduced in 1915 was held on top of the column by two screws. 1915 gear case and levers were brass plated.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic