Steering Wheel Information

[Alaska]

I just joined SDC and this is my first posting, so I hope I do it right. Bought a '51 Champion at an estate sale several months ago and have started the restoration project.

It's in decent shape overall, engine runs good, body in fair shape, but no brakes. So that's where I'm starting the repairs. The paint is rough, so I'll need to strip it down and start over.

But my first question on this forum is actually on the steering wheel. It's the 18" horn button wheel, not the horn ring one. It's in very bad shape and while I've read of repairs on these wheels, mine is missing good chunks and would be almost impossible to repair.

I've contacted Schrock Brothers, but they only remanfacture the '51 steering wheels with the horn ring, and mine is the horn button type. So does anyone have a suggestion on how to either repair mine, or know of where I could get a remanufactured one? Or perhaps there is a Studebaker grave yard somewhere to buy parts from?

Many thanks for your suggestions. I look forward to gleaning information on this forum for help in getting my Champion restored and running.

Jerald

[Welcome]

WELCOME ...to the SDC Forum!!!

I'll check tomorrow with a neighbor who has "hundreds" of Stude wheels to see if he has a good one.

[mbstude]

Jerald, welcome to the forum. As far as the steering wheel goes, I have a pretty decent used one. It isn't perfect but it's suitable for a driver. $75 bucks. I'll get some photos of it if you're interested.

[Alaska]

Hello Matthew,

I have 'Burnette' cousins in Louisiana and Texas. Yes... I would appreciate a few pictures of the steering wheel when you have time. Please send those to jeraldbyrd@tn.net What is your Studebaker in the picture. A beautiful car. Thanks and have a good day. Jerald

[TDITS]

Jerald, Welcome to the forum. You are in the right place to find someone with parts. If Matthew's doesn't work out keep asking, someone will come up with one.
If you get a chance post a picture of your car, we always like to see pictures.

[sasquatch]

Matt, if Jerald doesn't want that steering wheel, I'm interested in it if it will work on my '49 2R-15. According to the parts manual, mine is part #512976X3. I'm not sure if the car wheels are the same but maybe somebody here knows.

[mbstude]

The car wheel will indeed fit a truck, I had one on my C Cab for a while. However it's a 3 spoke wheel, not 2. I have a second one of these plain '51 wheels without the horn ring, but it isn't nearly as nice. I'll post some photos in a bit.

The photo in my signature is a still shot from a factory video of the '57 President wagon. It's identical to the one I have in the garage.

[Retired]

Check Hemmings Motor News for a company that rebuilds steering wheels.

[Roscomacaw]

The Shrock Bros specialize in re-doing Stude steering wheels. I have one they did for me and it's gorgeous. Not cheap, but damned nice!

[2R5]

Your R series truck has a different steering wheel then a car.

[sasquatch]

I found that out today; only two spokes. Is the hardware in the center of the wheel the same for cars and trucks, provided they are both just horn buttons, no rings?

[2R5]

No ring just a button . The 49 seems to use left over M series button the is a red with STUDEBAKER written at an angle . These have been reproduced and can be had from a number of vendors.

[Sam Ensley]

I have all of the leftovers from the conversion of my truck from stock to Ford running gear, minus engine and trasnmission. It has been stored in my brother's shop, and I noticed when I got the engine that the horn button was gone. The steering wheel is blue. Is anyone interested in the complete front-end, rear-end, etc.?

[kurtruk]

Jerald of Alaska,

Also do a Search on this forum for "Steering Wheel Removal." No need to further damage what 'cha got.

[lockenj]

4E7D Steering wheel

I am looking for the factory steering wheel for a 59 4E7D C Cab. And some point over the years mine was removed it now has some ugly aftermarket wheel on it. My book looks like these part numbers would work:

• 512975X2 (17" diameter Type A)
• 535349X41 (18" diameter Type B)
• 512976X3 (18" diameter Type A)

Type B is the 3 post and Type A is the 2 post... I think Type A looks better myself.

Any help would be much appreciated.