Wheels and steering wheels

[corschco]

Those of us who have switched from the original 5” x 13” steel wheels and 185 70 13 tires to 15” Panasports or similar with lower profile wider rubber that still fits under stock fenders and then switched from the original school bus steering wheels to a 13” Momo have also experienced the arm wrestling of the wheel at low speeds (without power steering). Any relatively simple solutions to easing the amount of force required to turn these little gems at low speed (or parking)?

[PaulTWinterton]

32psi tire pressure helps.  185x70s are not too bad for low speed turns.  Personally I won't exceed that tire size.

 

 

[Gordon]

I have 15" wheels with 195/50-15 tires on my tii. All my steering wheels  are 380mm or bigger (390mm Leather wrapped black spoke Nardi Classic, 380mm E21 sport wheel, and 380mm Momo Alpina wheel).  Anything smaller than 380mm is a gym workout for my arms.  If you are looking for steering wheel ideas, browse the eye candy in this link. https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/126575-steering-wheel-thread/

 

[tech71]

I'm afraid the physics involved are unyielding, I have a 390 cm wheel. I could go for 400cm for sure.

Edited August 31, 2020 by tech71

[Son of Marty]

Put your purse down!!!! JK?

[jp5Touring]

195/50x15 with a Renown 330mm steering wheel. I definitely feel like Pop Eye when I back out of my garage and make a hard right to the street. I wish maybe a inch or two tops bigger, but it's such a great wheel.

 

and it goes so well with the gear shift.

[Conserv]

13 hours ago, corschco said:

Those of us who have switched from the original 5” x 13” steel wheels and 185 70 13 tires...

 

Just to be clear, the only ‘02 sub model to come from the factory with 185/70R13 tires was the factory turbo. The factory tire on early 1600-2’s was a 6.00-13 bias-ply (with 165/80R13 radials as an option) and on all 2002’s, ti’s, and tii’s was 165/80R13.

 

And on the “leverage” side of the equation, the early cars (until April 1971?) had 423mm-diameter steering wheels, downsized to 400mm at April 1971.
 

Even with the stock tire and steering wheel combination, 47 years of ‘02 ownership has taught me to generally only turn the steering wheel when the car is moving, even if the movement is measured in inches and the speed of that movement is measured in a fraction of a mile per hour.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[John76]

The stock 400mm "bus" wheel on my '76 was too big.

A 350mm sport wheel was too small.

The 380mm feels just right with 185/70/13 tires on the stock steel 5" rims.

Bonus:  The turn signal and wiper levers do not stick out past the 380mm steering wheel, and therefore do not catch on your fingers.

Also, the speedometer is "spot-on" with the 185/70/13 tires.

[adawil2002]

For 9 years I ran a CS coupe seeing wheel at 420mm which is a perfect size for low speed. Then switched to a 380mm Petri & didn't care for it so went to a 400mm Petri.

 

Agree with Conserv Steve. Wheels need to be moving doing this is also easier on the steering box.

[Mike Self]

My backup plan for when I'm too old and weak to turn my small diameter Personal wood-rim wheel:  a 423mm factory "bus wheel" but with a beautiful wood rim--scrounged from an early CS coupe many years ago...

 

mike

[TobyB]

Yup, me daddy told me, only steer when you're moving.

 

t

 

 

 

[Son of Marty]

9 minutes ago, TobyB said:

Yup, me daddy told me, only steer when you're moving.

 

t

This goes for cars with power steering too.

 

 

 

[visionaut]

running 205/40s on 16s with a 350mm wheel...