BearKiller

Wife's 1991.5 LE-cab, tilt, cruise, and all that junk.

The steering-wheel wiggles loosely.

Seeing as how the wheel on one of the parts trucks has had the entire center broke out and has been welded back together, I decided that I would remove the horn-button and have a look.

Unless it is hidden behind that inch-wide x about 3-inches-long steel plate that is under the big nut, 13/16 by the way, I can see no evidence of any cracking.

That big nut is TIGHT.

The steel plate does not budge, but the steering-wheel wiggles loosely/easily.

I removed the nut; the steel plate didn't go nowhere.

I figured the whole mess would pop loose in my hands, but I could not jiggle it loose.

I put the big nut back on REAL TIGHT; the wheel is just as wiggly as before.


ON EDIT --- A FEW MINUTES LATER :

I loosened the big nut a few threads and bumped it with a hammer; this loosened the sleel plates grip on the threaded shaft and it then easily came off.

Hidden under it's two "ears" I found the threaded holes for a puller.


Is this normal ?? Surely it isn't ??


Thanks.

1-5-3-6-2-4

The steering shaft joint is notorious for failing. Look there first.


Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

BearKiller

Are you meaning the shaft joint way down there at the steering-box ??

All the wiggle/looseness is confined right at the steering-wheel.

The big nut and the threaded shaft it is on have no play whatsoever; only the wheel wiggles.

BearKiller

FOUND IT !!!


Once I got that steel plate out of the way and got my spectacles and a light, I found the reason for the wiggles, and probably Chrysler's reason for adding that eared plate.

These steering-wheels are paper-thin JUNK like one would expect to find on some little toodle-around car.

The entire center of the wheel is broken.

The only thing keeping it working is the jigsaw-puzzle shape of the break AND the only thing keeping it from parting ways with the shaft is that steel plate.


I will VEE the cracks and weld it up for now; it will have to be better than Chrysler's dangerous mess.


ON EDIT :

UPDATE :

I VEEed all the cracks and filled them with weld, then ground the surface smooth.

I would have left the welds thick, but that steel plate must sit flat against the wheel surface.

I would have also welded a big flat washer to cover the entire center and span the cracked area, reinforcing it immensely; alas, Chrysler was stingy with the threaded shaft and nary an extra thread is above the nut, so no extra threads for a washer.

I also welded around the back-side of the wheel-center, welding it firmly to the big splined hub; Chrysler had only used four tiny spot-welds to fasten the wheel to the hub and those are way too close to the center for any strength.

I clamped the hub in the vise and tried to wiggle the wheel; NO MORE WIGGLE; tight as a gun-barrel.


In the mean-time, I am definitely looking for a STRONG safe replacement steering-wheel.

I couldn't care less about those cruise-control buttons, as I put cruise-control right up there with cell-phones for causing dangerous driving.

I can put a horn-button anywhere.


I am open for suggestions for a replacement wheel.

Thanks.

1STGENFARMBOY

I like the old school wood grain grant wheels or the ones with three spokes with holes in them.

Dar

Crossy's son

a 91.5 would have the small steering wheel as they call it....a 92-93 truck with cruise has a different steering wheel I think the reason they went to it is because of the cracking of the earlier ones, this one, you can unscrew the cruise buttons too. Look for these on 92-93 trucks http://dieselpower.automotive.com/14...photos6-0.html

You could also go to the local parts store, and get one of those shiny GRANT steering wheels up on display. They are a no frills steering wheel usually smaller in diameter, have a horn button and that's about it---like this http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/f.../photo_03.html


in the early 80's all the dodge pickups had an option of a 16.5" steering wheel, it actually showed up on the option sheet. it's a huge heavy duty cool looking steering wheel, makes turning effortless
Like this http://static.cargurus.com/images/si...pic-39865.jpeg

BearKiller

Thanks for the steering-wheel history and all the information.

I assumed the 92-93 trucks had the same wheel as the 91s.

The wife's truck is an I/C 1991.5; and, the other truck we have that has the broken/welded wheel is a non-I/C early-1991 with all interior and exterior attributes that the 91.5 truck has.


I will have to pay closer attention to the 92-93 trucks, as I hadn't noticed the difference in steering-wheels.


That little steel plate that is between the big nut and the steering-wheel sure looks like a recall band-aid to me.






ME TOO; and, that is just what I had in mind when I decided that a better wheel is a must.


I think they look as close to a Peterbilt wheel as is possible on a small truck.


Thanks.