Will the real RS Steering Wheel stand up

[Allen Henderson]

Steering wheel guys,

OK, what are the certified facts on 1973 RS car steering wheels? The PET lists 380mm leather 911 347 084 00 as the RS wheel; are there any with this number stamped on them?

Regularly seen for a true, "authentic RS steering wheel" are these part numbers: 914 347 805 10 and 914 347 806 10. Which is the real deal or are they both correct?! Note: from personal experience these two are identical (other than the part numbers stamped on them). However, on a 914-4 the steering wheel "assembly" has some additional stuff bolted to it and this might be the difference between the two?)

I have seen on this site a wheel with part number 914 347 805 10 in its original box but the part number on the box is 911 347 091 10 (not the PET RS 911 347 084 00)

I have personally had a 914 wheel with a hard rubber part number on it but was factory wrapped in leather!

Finally, what do we think the part number, or description is for an authentic RSR wheel? Help! Thanks.

-Allen-

[MoparBoy72]

My RS wheel is 914 347 806 10 w/ a 5 or 6?/73 date code.

[Allen Henderson]

My RS wheel is 914 347 806 10 w/ a 5 or 6?/73 date code.

I was just informed by email, from another RS owner, that the Maroon RS-dedicated OEM parts manual lists 914 347 806 10. What else do we know?Thanks.

-Allen-

[fryardds]

Hi Allen,

You sent me an email about this question, sorry I haven't written back. Along with the most common part # 806 10, an RS could have come with 805 11 and even 805 10 (which is actually an 914-4 wheel but it has the correct hub with countersunk and tapped holes).

The part # on the box of my NOS wheel you mention is a mid to late 70's part # that superceedes the previous PET part #.

The RSR wheels I have seen are 803 10, which is a hard rubber core wheel with felt and padding covered with leather.

[Allen Henderson]

Hi Brian,

Fun and interesting. Would you be so kind to measure the circumfrance of the RSR grip size (I am assuming it is as per original?) or maybe you know what it is. Ditto question for an original double wrapped RS wheel. BTW, ARE the RS wheels double wrapped, thicker than standard? The reason I ask is since, is maybe the difference between an 805 10 or 806 10 the thickness of the grip? Thanks!

-Allen-

[gms]

Here is a detailed thread with pictures of the 914 steering wheels
Link

[Allen Henderson]

Here is a detailed thread with pictures of the 914 steering wheels
Link

Glenn,

Thanks for that link which I am familar with. I have two questions which I don' t think I've actually seen answered regarding he so-called 914-4 wheel, the one with the counter sunk hole on the front (facing driver side) for the nut that fastens the wheel to the column: 1. Does the fact that this nut is counter sunk have ANY bearing on mounting it to a early 911? and 2. If you modify the back side of the wheel to take the 911 cancel ring, does the wheel fit a 911 "perfectly?" That is will it rock or look weird if examined closely but an knowldegable person? In other words, if one taps the required hole on the back of a so-called 914-4 wheel, will it look just like a RS wheel when mounted?

Also, any comments on the grip thickness (differences) between various part number leather wheels? Thanks.

-Allen-

[scooter]

Allen,

On the 914/4 wheels with the counter sunk area for the nut on the front. These wheels also have the beveled spline area on the back that helps aligning the wheel to the steeering shaft.

Anyway on these wheels the turnsignal canceller will sit proud even if you counter sink the holes that mount the canceller.

On the wheels that are interchangeable with the 901 series cars, if you look closely at the backs where the canceller is mounted the whole canceller is placed within a space that is not sitting proud. Meaning it is sitting in a recessed area and on a 914/4 which wasn't made for the application it sits on top of the hub and sticks out.

This is what can cause the slight rocking and can also be seen from looking at the mounted wheel from the sides.

Hope this helps and answers your question.

Scooter

[BOYER73S]

The first number you mention from pet is for the STD 400mm wheel

My car #197 has the 806 wheel still with plastic horn grille


I just bought a 380mm wheel like you describe hard plastic part number 809 10 restamped to 805 10 and covered with what looks like factory leather


Very strange

[fryardds]

Hi Brian,

Fun and interesting. Would you be so kind to measure the circumfrance of the RSR grip size (I am assuming it is as per original?) or maybe you know what it is. Ditto question for an original double wrapped RS wheel. BTW, ARE the RS wheels double wrapped, thicker than standard? The reason I ask is since, is maybe the difference between an 805 10 or 806 10 the thickness of the grip? Thanks!

-Allen-

Sure, I would be happy to do this. I'm not sure I have a 806.10 wheel not on a car (the RS is put away for the winter), but I do have both a 803.10 RSR and 805.10 to measure. Stay tuned.......

I don't think VDM ever made a two layer leather steering wheel. I could be mistaken but the ones I have seen are single layer over soft rubber core like 806.10 and 805.10. The RSR 803.10 are made with layer of felt and a layer of cotton like material to make the diameter thicker. Here is thread that shows this exactly.

http://www.early911sregistry.org/for...steering+wheel