Hi everyone. Just a quick question on behalf of a friend. He's thinking of putting a MK2 steering wheel onto his 1958 MK1 Jaguar but, before buying same, he wants to know if it will fit ? Does anyone know the answer ??

 

only way is to try fitting it, to see if the splined shaft matches the splined hole of the replacement steering wheel.

I only know that the S type splined shaft is narrower than the splined shaft of the XJ, as I tried fitting a XJ steering wheel to my S type and.it would not fit.

 

Thanks Jose. I agree - the best thing for him to do is try one. I have explained to him that if he does the conversion the steering will require more effort, as it's smaller (unless he fits power steering from a MK2 as well - that then make it a very expensive exercise - lol !)

 

Mota-Lita supply different bosses for MK1 and Mk2 cars, so there must be some difference. I don't know if it's a critical one. You could ask one of the parts suppliers, but it's not always easy to obtain an intelligent answer.

 

factory steering wheels are like 17" diameter, going to a 15" diameter won't cause an enormous increase in effort other than when parking or very slow speed.
During highway speed, the difference in control is worth changing to a smaller diameter.

For me, the ideal steering wheel diameter for these small saloons is 15.5". But nobody makes it.

 

Jose, I'm surprised about the XJ and S type splines as I thought that Mota-Lita sold the same boss for both cars. As for the effort with a smaller wheel, there might be a problem with non-PAS steering boxes. As I recall, most MK1 cars were 3.5 turns lock to lock compared with the over 4 for the Mk2. Assuming other things to be equal, the MK1 will already require some extra effort for parking. I guess it encourages the good practice of not forcing the wheel when the car's not moving, something I was taught when learning to drive, but ignored by almost everyone these days.

 

yes Peter, the S type splined shaft is thicker than the one in my XJ. I assume the MK-2 and MK-1 shafts are the same as in the S type.

 

Bill Mac is the person most likely to have first hand knowledge of the differences Mk1 to Mk2. Perhaps, he'll look at the thread when tomorrow morning reaches Queensland?

 

I hope someone has fitted Power Steering from a Mk2 to that Mk1 or aside from all the twirling the steering will likely be as heavy as hell when parking moving down from the 4 spoke monster.

The optional Mk2/S Type/420 woodrim. (made for Jaguar by V W Derrington P/N C.25198) ~ Cost 12 Pounds Sterling at the time.

 

I'm pretty sure the 420 & S spline is edzackery the same as the MK1/2 as I had the whole 420 column fitted to my Mk2 as an automatic, using the factory Mk2 wheel.

 

Thank you everyone for your input and assistance - I'll pass it on to my friend.

 

The MK2 Steering wheel will not fit. the spline is the same, but the main difference is the rear, where the adjustment for the column is.
The MK1 has a chrome spring with 2 ring seats ( a small one at the steering wheel, and a bigger one at the adjustment nut.) The adjustment nut a big metal one.
As the MK2 the steering wheel has a sort of pipe like protrusion that goes into the adjustment nut ( from some kind of plastic )

 

Thank you 'jaguar38s' I'll let him know before he goes out and buys a used one

 

When I have had this question put to me, my reply is "don't bother as they are quite different wheels" (as pointed out by Jaguar 3.8S)
There are numerous organisations who can repair the original steering wheel at reasonable prices.
This preserves the originality of these MK1 cars which have enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity and value over the last few years.

 

I always preferred the Mk1 wheel anyway. And in the couple years I drove one -- daily -- never thought of replacing it. It worked and was -- I believe -- unique.

 

the 4-spoke wheel ? I think it's a carryover from the XK 120/140/150 and the Big Jaguar Saloons.

 

Good point!