Anyone have the Special Edition steering wheel?

[FlorIdaho Chris]

New to the forum...I just this weekend installed the EZ-Steer power steering kit on my 2015 XUV 825i. I am now thinking of installing a JD special edition steering wheel from the 2014-2015 flat black special edition XUVs. Do any forum members have this wheel on their Gator? If so, could you describe it, or better yet post a photo? I am particularly interested if the SE steering wheel has the same "dish" dimension to it. I am worried about clearance with my knees and would not be happy it the wheel were flatter than the standard wheel.

I realize there are a number of more cost effective aftermarket options, but I'd really like to stick with JD stuff.

Thanks for your help!

[FlorIdaho Chris]

OK, so with some searching I was able to answer my own question(s). I thought I'd post what I found in case others were interested. It appears that while the Special Edition sport wheel has a flat dish profile, the wheel comes with a spacer which keeps the plane of the steering wheel in the same place as the standard wheel, thus no clearance issues.

From what I can tell, JD wants $196.89 for the wheel.

Here are a couple of photos. *Credit G & H Equipment for photos from video found in this post:

http://www.johndeeregatorforum.com/showthread.php?15094-XUV825i-Gator-The-Midnight-Cowboy

[Gatorwork]

Does it come with everything you need to install it on your 825i? I have a 2013 and wanted to do the same thing.

[FlorIdaho Chris]

I ordered JD part number BM23933 from an online Deere dealer. The part was $190.31 including shipping. From searching the Deere parts site it appears to come with everything you need. I will let you know once I receive the order and install it. Probably take about a week.

[RMOSSSO1]

FlorIdahoChris:

Can you share with me the name and address of the dealer where you purchased the steering wheel? My local AgPro dealer wants almost $30.00 more than what you show.

Thanks,
Rich

My email is as follows: rmosso1@belllsouth.net

[FlorIdaho Chris]

Rich-

I sent you an email with the information. As a newbie on the forum I do not know what the rules/protocol are for posting vendor names and information. I am happy to post the information in this thread if someone will let me know if that is OK...

[FlorIdaho Chris]

OK, so I received the wheel today and went to install it. It does not fit! Something must be different on the Special Edition steering shaft. While the splines are correct and the shaft diameter is correct, the shaft is not long enough on the regular Gator to reach the hub on the new wheel. Either that or the hub in the wheel is too far out. There is no way to get a the nut back on. Look at side view photo below and compare to side image in second post above.

So, to anyone following this thread; DO NOT BUY THIS WHEEL! See photos below.

I really cannot figure this out. I have spent a bunch of time looking at the JD parts catalog. I cannot find but one shaft number listed for the 825i. The 825i uses the same two steering wheels on the power steering version as well. At the bottom of this post see excerpt from the parts catalog clearing showing both type wheels working with the same shaft.

I looked at the RSX. The RSX 850i calls for this same SE wheel and the stock RSX steering wheel is the same as the XUV 825i. The shaft is the same part number with both wheels on the RSX as well.

I am at a loss. It just makes no sense. I will spend time on the phone with JD tomorrow. Would be interested if anyone has any ideas what is going on here...

[Gatorwork]

Oh, man it looks so close. Thank you for the info, please keep the thread going on the info you learn, it is much appreciated.

[Joedirt]

Could it be that Deere got a bad batch? Just made wrong. Seen it before. Keep us posted. Thanks for all your aggravation.

[FlorIdaho Chris]

I did not get anywhere talking to a couple of parts guys yesterday. The sales volume is just so low on these kinds of things compared to everything else JD sells that no one has any real working knowledge.

I like the idea that the part was just made wrong. A possibility. I don't really know how to check this out without finding someone with a SE Gator.

I put a call into the Gator Product/Marketing Manager at JD corporate. I am hoping he will return my call and we can get to the bottom of this.

[FlorIdaho Chris]

So I could not get the John Deere Gator product/marketing manager to call me back (heaven forbid someone from corporate would ever talk to an actual customer). But I decided to give things another shot since my experience just did not make any sense.

I went to my local Deere dealer and ordered two parts; AM146132 (the wheel) and JD5876 (the center logo applique). My local parts guy said these parts are shown as fitting the 825i Gator. I was skeptical but hopeful. Keep in mind that these same two part numbers were included in the kit that I had previously ordered (along with a new nut and washer that I really didn't need).

Anyway, the parts arrived today and all was good. See below photos:

Three armed puller to remove wheel, new wheel showing steering bolt installed, and two shots of finished install.

As Joedirt suggested I strongly believe that JD got a bad batch from their supplier at some point. The box parts sticker on my original order showed a December 2013 date, old bad stock maybe?

Now I just need to get the online source of the first wheel to drop the restocking fee!

Edit: I just spoke with the online source and they had already given me a full refund without me even asking. That is good service!

Thank you Greenfarmparts.com

[Gatorwork]

Thank you for the update!!

[Joedirt]

So those are the only 2 parts needed? Do the 6 bolts for the logo cap come with the it? Thanks

[FlorIdaho Chris]

So those are the only 2 parts needed? Do the 6 bolts for the logo cap come with the it? ThanksYes, those are the only two parts needed. Part number AM146132 (the wheel) comes fully assembled with the six hex screws you see. Once you install the wheel you just peel the back off the Deere logo and it self sticks to the wheel hub covering the nut.

[Gatorwork]

Does the new wheel sit higher then the stock one? It would be nice to have a few more inches for leg room getting in and out. Out of curiosity, what did the two parts cost you?

[FlorIdaho Chris]

The wheel sits in about the same place, but since it is not dish shaped, you do get a tad more knee room. The spokes are flat instead of angling up to the wheel.

My dealer charged me $165.00 for the wheel and $4.06 for the Deere logo. This is a slight discount from MSRP but they treat me right since I have purchased a lot of stuff from them over the years.

[bradhill]

My fingers are crossed I ordered the SE wheel. Hopefully the part will fit.
I certainly do not want to upset anyone on the price I paid- it was not even close to the price FLID paid.


Sent from my iPhone using my index finger

[bradhill]

My fingers are crossed I ordered the SE wheel. Hopefully the part will fit.
I certainly do not want to upset anyone on the price I paid- it was not even close to the price FLID paid.


Sent from my iPhone using my index finger


Received the steering wheel a couple days ago. I installed today.. fits great..definitely more knee room !!!!

Price was less than $80.00 for the steering wheel and center medallion...

[Joedirt]

Received the steering wheel a couple days ago. I installed today.. fits great..definitely more knee room !!!!

Price was less than $80.00 for the steering wheel and center medallion...
Where did you get it for 80.00? My dealer wants full list.

[bradhill]

Since I purchased the part online mother Deere has apparently required online stores to charge the same price, as brick and mortar dealers that do not have an online presence.


One of the few times in my life I was at the right place at the right time.


Sent from my iPhone using my index finger