Re: 1937 banjo steering wheel

Posted by flackmaster On 2017/6/26 20:32:35

The issue described is somewhat uncommon, but not to be ignored. All owners of 35-38 Banjo's are to be aware of this issue. The problem is the banjo hub is pot metal and the splines are somewhat "weak" as a result. The steering shaft is steel, and not the problem. If the wheel is not installed carefully, or the splines not crisp to begin with due to whatever, and the nut not tightened properly (and by the way, the nut for the banjo wheel is different than the standard wheel), the result is as experienced. Not good.
I have, and have seen, several wheels that have been cut for a woodruff (?) key, a simple and safe effort, and definitely my recommendation if there is any question as to the condition of the splines/installation. A locktite type product may also be a good idea in this application, but be mindful of the next SOB that has to remove the wheel. Potmetal can be quite porous...

DAF

Oh, and by the way, the standard steering wheel was manufactured with a steel splined insert, not pot metal as the banjo's.....hmmmm....

PS - if there is a machine shop out there that can efficiently cut the tapered splines, I am willing to take on reproducing the 35-7 banjo wheel. Hub in either cast brass or leadalloy. I can get the hub CNC machined easily enough, just haven't found the shop to cut the tapered splines. Anybody?