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My son wants me to replace the drab old steering wheel in my 1968 Olds 98 convertible with this sports steering wheel. Does anyone have any experience with replacing their steering wheel. is a steering wheel puller required to remove the old wheel.
Picture of the existing steering wheel.
Picture of the classic wood steering wheel. The diameter is the same 15" as well as the dish depth of 4".
Yes on puller. Cheap enough to buy or can probably be rented.
Why not try to find a factory-style wood wheel? You'd be limited to 68 style because of the bigger steering columns used 69-later, but they're available and will work better with factory horn wiring. Plus they look like they belong there.
When you pull the center cap, you will see a pair of match marks on the steering shaft and steering wheel hub. That wheel you're looking at may or may not have it. The marks are critical to keeping the steering wheel properly oriented.
Steering wheel pullers are inexpensive or you can build one yourself with some flatbar, some allthread and 2 bolts. When you get the old wheel off you'll find that replacing the steering wheel is pretty cut and dry. Make sure the wheels are straight before you start and the steering wheel is centered. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, then turn all the way to the right counting the turns, divide by 2 and turn the wheel that many turns to center. If the steering wheel is centered and the wheels are straight, your good to go.
You'll want to get a wheel with a hub that matches the smaller diameter 1968 steering column. Most aftermarket wheels come with hubs for the larger 1969-up GM column that has the ignition key in it.
My son wants me to replace the drab old steering wheel.
Young'uns look at things differently.
I'd still look into a 68 Olds woodgrain wheel or even the Chevrolet version and use Olds horn button. Joe P has made an excellent point about hub diameter.
December 24th, 2020, 06:52 AM
