[scott70]

my car has the original steering wheel that's starting to look a little tired. The original texture on the rim has pretty much worn down smooth and the coloring is a little faded. I'm not into aftermarket steering wheels but I know the 70 GTO could be had with the black formula steering wheel. I was thinking about taking mine off and getting the formula steering wheel kit.I think that would look good and I also like the thicker rim compared to the skinny rim on the stock steering wheel. Have any of you guys bought the kit and how did it go with the installation?

[78w72]

what is the "kit"?

[Formulajones]

The formula wheel requires a completely different hub and horn button assembly. So I would assume the "kit" would be all that stuff needed to install the formula wheel. They have a pretty odd hub that is somewhat long and puts the wheel slightly closer to you.

[napster]

I had the same wheel installed on my 1970 GTO. It worked out quite well. I had a tilt column installed from a 1971 Monte Carlo with the formula steering wheel. I was advised by Quint Stires to paint the steering column black instead of the brown interior color.

Jim

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

The formula wheel requires a completely different hub and horn button assembly. So I would assume the "kit" would be all that stuff needed to install the formula wheel. They have a pretty odd hub that is somewhat long and puts the wheel slightly closer to you.

yes im aware of the hub & horn for the formula wheel, just didnt know or think they made a repro kit for those parts, probably have to piece it topgether from used or repro'd parts.

if the GTO hub & horn are the same as 2nd gen firebird & t/a & you need the hub & horn parts, i have a some i would sell...

[David Jones]

I ran an aftermarket Formula wheel in my GTO for a couple of years and loved the way it looked and felt. Then, pushing the car around in the basement (one hand on the A pillar, one on the steering wheel to turn it as needed) I managed to bend the Formula wheel. I was mostly successful in straightening the wheel back out but was pretty disappointed in the minimal amount of effort it took to both bend it in the 1st place and then to straighten it back out.
I put the OEM wheel back on.

[SRR]

Originally Posted by David Jones

I ran an aftermarket Formula wheel in my GTO for a couple of years and loved the way it looked and felt. Then, pushing the car around in the basement (one hand on the A pillar, one on the steering wheel to turn it as needed) I managed to bend the Formula wheel. I was mostly successful in straightening the wheel back out but was pretty disappointed in the minimal amount of effort it took to both bend it in the 1st place and then to straighten it back out.
I put the OEM wheel back on.

I remember reading someplace you couldn't get this option on manual steering cars. They are pretty frail but I loved the one in my 72 GTO.

[scott70]

A249k looks a complete kit of parts to switch to a formula wheel. 289.00. Thats the first time ive heard anyone say those steering wheels are kinda weak,,,that sucks. My son showed me a pic of a 70 gto that was on a dealer lot that happen to get stuffed into a tree and the formula wheel was folded back towards the dash.

[Formulajones]

Possibly by design? Impact purposes?

Mine has a factory OEM formula wheel. I don't know if I'd call it flimsy but just looking at the way it's made, it wouldn't be that strong if pushing straight onto it since you're working the metal in it's weakest form. I wouldn't want to apply much pressure in a fore/aft direction.

[daduck]

scott70,

Have you considered wrapping your original wheel with leather?

I had a Sport Wheel on my Grand Prix that was starting to deteriorate and I bought a Wheelskins leather cover and sewed it on it about 30-40 minutes.

You can order a custom cover in many materials and colors for under $75.00

Nice look and feel......and not having to replace your original wheel.

Just a suggestion that you might not have considered.

[scott70]

Originally Posted by daduck

scott70,

Have you considered wrapping your original wheel with leather?

I had a Sport Wheel on my Grand Prix that was starting to deteriorate and I bought a Wheelskins leather cover and sewed it on it about 30-40 minutes.

You can order a custom cover in many materials and colors for under $75.00

Nice look and feel......and not having to replace your original wheel.

Just a suggestion that you might not have considered.

I had thought about that but in my head i just cant imagine the wrap not sticking out like a sore thumb. If i could find a really nice quality leather wrap that was the same color i might try it. Id want it so at a glance you might not know it had a wrap. Ill take a look at their site.

[AG]

I put a '71 TA Formula wheel in my '72 A body and absolutely love it. The wheel is in original great shape and the feel is awesome. I was also lucky enough to find an original '70 A body formula wheel for my brother's '70 LeMans, much better than the standard 2 or 3 spoke wheel.

[scott70]

Originally Posted by AG

I put a '71 TA Formula wheel in my '72 A body and absolutely love it. The wheel is in original great shape and the feel is awesome. I was also lucky enough to find an original '70 A body formula wheel for my brother's '70 LeMans, much better than the standard 2 or 3 spoke wheel.

I really like the looks of the formula wheel. Kinda bummed that they sound like theyre pretty weak. I had a 79 TA years ago,i think it had the formula wheel.I would leave my steering column the original saddle and leave the wheel parts black. I guess there was some discussion on what was correct for wheel/column combos. My current wheel is the original 3 spoke.

[AG]

I can't comment on the strength of the stock or aftermarket wheels since I have never tested them, but I can attest to the awesome look and feel of the stock ones. I have seen aftermarket repro ones that were garbage and I would not buy them.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Originally Posted by David Jones

I ran an aftermarket Formula wheel in my GTO for a couple of years and loved the way it looked and felt. Then, pushing the car around in the basement (one hand on the A pillar, one on the steering wheel to turn it as needed) I managed to bend the Formula wheel. I was mostly successful in straightening the wheel back out but was pretty disappointed in the minimal amount of effort it took to both bend it in the 1st place and then to straighten it back out.

This has been my experience also. I learned the hard way to not push against it. After replacing the first Repro wheel, the body shop bent the brand new replacement one despite my warnings. The spokes buckle and crease immediately and you can't body and fender it back into shape. I got smart and demanded a refund from the supplier. he refunded me and told me to keep the old wheel. The kits are all the same with the flimsy spokes.

I purchased a Lecarra Mark 4 GT Steering wheel from Summit to replace mine but didn't install it yet. It looks very similar to the Formula wheel but has a slightly thinner rim w. a classy stitched leather grip.

The spokes are close in appearance to the Repro Formula wheel but much more substantial. They won't bend like the reproductions. The 9 screw mounting flange matches the Formula wheel and it comes in black/black spokes, black/polished spokes and camel tan/polished spokes. They sell a hub adaptor and center cap with horn button but they are aftermarket style.

Nice wheel but won't do you much good unless you already have or intend to buy the reproduction hub and mounting kit if an OEM look is your thing.

Here's what the Repros look like after they bend:

[scott70]

So maybe an original would possibly be a little stronger? Problem is I would imagine originals in good shape are hard to find. And is there anything specific in difference between a formula wheel used in a 70 gto and a trans am?

[NeighborsComplaint]

Yes, the originals are much stronger than the repros. I had an original in mine for years and never bent it. I only replaced it because the anodizing was half gone and the foam padding on the rim was starting to crumble.

One of the issues on the repro's is that the large hole in the spoke is punched too large and leaves the metal so thin you can literally fold the steering wheel in your hands.

Here's a link to the LeCarra wheel: https://www.summitracing.com/search/...teering-wheels

[HWYSTR455]

I have the LeCarra leather wheel in 2 cars, love them. Yes, they are a little thinning in diameter, but barely noticeable, and they are stronger.

You can order the 'kit' from Ames, that's what I just did for my project, looks and feels great.

I didn't notice the holes being of different size, I will have to go look again. I know the one I have in the 'bird appears to be the same size, but again, I would have to go check to be sure.

I've pushed the 'bird around in the garage by the wheel and has not bent.

The repop foam wheels I'm hearing that the foam deteriorates in a fairly short period of time. No personal experience of that, it was relayed to me via another thread.

If you order the kit, check to make sure the wheel to hub screws thread in to the hub correctly. I have heard reports that there were some that were metric, and they changed back to SAE, and some kits may have been shipped with mismatched screws.

IMO, the kit with the leather wrapped wheel is the way to go. Most looking at the car will not be able to tell, or will not really 'check' that the wheel is leather vs foam.

EDIT: The one I have in the 'bird is like 20+ years old and still looks great. For 'bird folks, they also make one with gold spokes.

.

[72projectbird]

I've bent my original when I had to push the car and mistakenly put my weight into the wheel. It's not a super strong design, but then again if it gets bent up in an accident, the condition of the wheel is the least I'm worried about.

[64speed]

Call Kohls Steering. They can probably recast your factory wheel. Its about 400 dollars. I am having mine done.