Keegan

Alright, I just got this in the mail yesterday! It's been a paint to clean up, that's for sure. I heard these things were notorious for being sticky, and this one certainly held up to that standard, lol! I've noticed that baking soda-water paste has helped big time with that, though. (Thanks Mom!)

I was wondering if I had all the pieces I need to install the wheel! We did this on my Uncles near the end of the summer, and unfortunately I didn't pay attention enough. Haha. I just got a horn button off of Ebay, by the way. (A Buick one, because all the Olds ones are way too pricey.) I'll get an Olds emblem in there! Thanks for the help.

4speed455

Looks like you got all the parts. You know that's a stafire not a cutlass/442 wheel right? You can tell by the stitching on the top. It's also an inch smaller diameter.

Keegan

You know what, I was wondering why it felt smaller. Do you mean the diameter of the wheel, or the thickness of the outer part? Is that the only difference? I noticed the center is a little offset, as well. Thanks for letting me know!

Allan R

The Starfire wheel is 14 1/2" diameter. The Cutlass 4 spoke wheel is 15 1/2" diameter. You will notice the difference trying to see the gages. Starfire wheel is a completely different part number, but will fit the car you have.

Not sure what that big bolt is for though. It's not part of that steering wheel or install.

Keegan

Awesome! I kind of prefer the feel of this one. I always wished the wheel would be a little smaller. Do you know if there's a difference in "rarity" for the Starfire versions? Were there a small amount of Starfires that received the sport wheel?

Allan R

Neither the Starfire or Cutlass wheel is rare, UNLESS it's an OEM NOS part. The Starfire wheel was introduced I believe on the 75 Starfire and Omega The key selling feature of that wheel was the color matching of the wheel and horn button to the interior color of the car. Here's a page from the 75 Starfire brochure that shows the color match. This wheel was standard on the SX models in later years. IMO the downsized wheel was designed to match the smaller car interior. Still, it looks very cool.

billmerbach

yea they are pretty sticky I find alcohol cleaned it up better along with a scrubbing pad

joe_padavano

Why is the horn contact ring disassembled? The three parts are held together with plastic insulating rivets, which I do not see. There are special screws that hold it to the hub.

Keegan

I do have these rivets, but they seem to be worn out and unusable. They aren't holding the 3 pieces together at all.
So right now I'm looking for an alternative. I know it probably has to be plastic, but it will probably be difficult to find something. When I go the wheel, the internals were disassembled. I've been following a thread for an installation guide!

2blu442

I've seen people uses small plastic zip ties to hold the pieces together. You might give that a try.

John

Keegan

Will do! Thanks

RetroRanger

I used the smallest zip ties on one I did it worked fine but was a little fiddly assembling, I used small plastic screws from the HW store on another that worked out too and was easier

Tom442

I thought I had seen a repair kit that has those plastic parts...I beleive he is a CO member. Google is your friend!

http://www.thegoodoldsdays.com/realoldsmobile.asp

Keegan

Wow, 9$! I guess I can't complain. It's exactly what I need. Thanks!