I’m familiar with this bygone addition to the steering wheel. Our farm tractor (John Deere “B”) featured the knob, and I loved it!
Today’s poll asks you: Did you ever use a steering wheel knob?
What is it?
A steering wheel knob, also known as a Brodie knob, spinner knob, or necker knob, is a free-spinning ball attached to the steering wheel of a vehicle.
Why have one?
Popular in the mid-20th century, these knobs were a convenient tool for drivers, especially before power steering became standard. The knob allowed for quick, one-handed steering, making tight turns and maneuvers much easier. It was a favorite among delivery drivers, farmers, and anyone needing to handle their vehicle efficiently in challenging spaces.
Various names for steering wheel knobs
The bygone steering wheel knob goes by a few different names, each with its own backstory.
Brodie knob: In 1886, the original Steve Brodie (not the actor) claimed to have survived a jump off the Brooklyn Bridge. Other reckless acts thereafter were named “Brodies.” The name has been linked to daredevil drivers performing sharp turns and stunts.
Spinner knob: This term refers to the knob’s ability to spin freely as the steering wheel turned.
Necker knob: This name likely comes from the days when it was popular with drivers who wanted to steer with one hand while their other arm was, well, around someone special.
Long gone
Despite their utility, steering wheel knobs have largely disappeared from modern vehicles. Why? For starters, the advent of power steering reduced the need for the knob. With less force required to turn the wheel, drivers could steer smoothly without this additional tool.
Safety concerns with steering wheel knobs
Additionally, there were safety concerns. The spinner knobs could interfere with airbag deployment or cause injuries during a collision. They were also seen as a potential distraction, as one-handed steering isn’t always ideal for maintaining full control of a vehicle. Also, the knob was thought to be a hazard because it could become caught in a long-sleeved open gap by the button. Attempting to free a tangled shirt sleeve from the knob may cause the driver to lose control of the car!
For these reasons, most manufacturers stopped including them in vehicle designs. However, spinner knobs are still available in the aftermarket, particularly for drivers with disabilities or for use on tractors and other specialized vehicles.
What’s your experience?
Now that you know a bit more about steering wheel knobs, we’re curious—have you ever used one? Let us know by answering our poll below. We can’t wait to hear your thoughts!
I learned to drive in a 1953 Studebaker two-door sedan at the age of 12. The steering wheel was about the size of a ferris wheel so I needed the knob to help me turn the darn thing! I still have fond memories of that car and its steering wheel.
Back when I was a young whipper snapper (14), the 10-wheel grain truck I was hauling grain with (a 1947) had a spinner.
I answered YES. The knob was on a tractor.
My 49 Plymouth business coupe had one as did all the tractors on the farm I worked as a teen.
I put one on my lawn tractor (an off road vehicle) and it works well. I remember when they were common items.
Still using them on both my tractor and UTV around the farm.
still have one on my tractor and used to have one on the forklift that i drove at the factory
I never used one, but my brother-in-law always had one on his steering wheel. We referred to them as “Suicide Knobs”.
Here’s another name for you; Suicide Knob. Could you imagine that 1.5″ diameter knob implanted into your chest? I had one on a tractor but it annoyed me, I remember my brother had one on his car in the sixties.
While I’ve never driven an automobile with a steering knob, I regularly drive our farm tractors using one.
I still use it and plan to add one to my next truck. Don’t get the cheap hollow plastic ones though.
Barney Knob, yep that’s what we called ’em in Toledo Ohio in the 60’s
A coworker had one. His wife was a quadriplegic who had enough use of her hands that she could drive a car equipped with hand controls (really amazing person!). Part of the setup was a knob.
A friend had polio in the 50’s. Her drivers license required a suicide knob
I believe steering wheel knobs are illegal in some states.
I knew them as ‘suicide knobs’. I guess meaning they could come off. Obviously, there were problems with the design. No desire to use one.
The only name I remember for these ‘spinners’ was “Suicide Knobs”. I grew up in Chicago.
Suicide knob was what I knew them as. I grew up in Northern California.
I also grew up in Northern California and also we called them suicide knobs. In the forties and fifties there were a lot of the knobs were cheaply made and the knob would come off with predictable results. California had outlawed them by the time I had started driving in 1961. I have driven ranch trucks, tractors and forklifts with them.
If you owned a forklift without one, you had a broken steering wheel. They used to come standard on wheel loaders, scrapers and other heavy equipment.
I used to call them Brody knobs!
To fo Brodie’s lol.
Way before power steering when the steering wheel was 2 ft in diameter.
Dont need them any more.
I would love to put one on my Jeep Cherokee, but the wheel is padded and heated and I don’t want to lose my heating. I always used to add them to my cars & trucks before they came with padded wheels, they just don’t feel as secure on those types of wheel. I do have them on my tractors.
Illegal in some states. Had one on my John Deere 1949 AW.
used a steering wheel knob on my forklift when I ran a warehouse in Gillette, Wy. Moved to Texas and put one on my tractor. I am not using one now
In Pennsylvania, they can only be used if deemed necessary because of a handicap, loss of arm.
I never had one, but I remember how big those old steering wheels were (like David N mentioned). It also seemed like I had to turn those steering wheels a lot farther around to turn. All due to not having power steering. Modern cars are so much better!
40 years ago I had one on my forklift.
I have one on my 2015 Ford F350 dually. It’s a god send. Making a wheel to wheel turn , it’s 10 full turns.
Much easier to park and maneuver in parking lots. Ordered on Amazon.
The other reason for the knob were less responsive wheels. The past several vehicles have had an approximate maximum of 270 degrees of turn across the full wheel arc. It is rare to find a vehicle today with more than 360 degrees.
I used one on my car when I was much younger, for a short while. I didn’t really like it. I got one for my John Deere tractor but took it off after a short time too as it attached at a strange angle and was not comfortable to use.
My neighbor used one in his car when he had surgery and had trouble steering for a few months. One day he asked me if I wanted it and I installed it on our large Class A. Securely clamped around the steering wheel. It’s great for getting around tight spaces.
Only on my brother’s tractors. Works well when making quick turns cutting and baling hay. The first time he warned me that if it slipped out of my grip to get my arm out of the way. When the wheel spins loose it can come around and break your arm or wrist. They do help, but can also be a hazard.
I use one on my tractor. One of those “how’d I ever live without this thing?”
My buddy in Colorado has been using his “suicide” knob forever, even though its illegal.
My Dad always had a Brodie Knob on all of his cars (of which one I learned how to drive)…along with a ding dong bell.
I had one on a car that would flip down out of the way, but you could bring it up when needed. Especially useful when backing a trailer before power steering. With power steering you can turn your wheels with just one finger.
My front loader/back hoe has a steering knob and that’s all I use in it.
They were known as a “necker’s” knob. So you could drive with your left hand as you right arm was around your girlfriend sitting next to you.
Several years ago I was told they were illegal in my state unless you were disabled. I had heard that about other states as well but a friend recently told me it wasn’t true so I researched it. It turns out they’re legal in all 50 states. I may get one now I know that.
I have a steering knob on my 31 class A. Installed 2 years ago, had this Class A for 9 years. Makes a big difference.
Returning from my combat duty in Vietnam, I went back to Fort Bragg for my last five months, of my three years, there, on my dirtbike, I broke my arm. I had a full left arm cast, and I had to drive and pull a small U-Haul trailer back to California from North Carolina. That suicide knob was the key to driving home!
Still use one. makes backing my trailer much easier.
My current vehicle has one on the steering wheel. i am handicapped (right leg off above the knee) and am allowed to use one. This is because I have an automatic transmission and use left-hand hand controls. My drivers license shows that all are needed for me to be able to drive myself. Side Note: Learning hand controls can be verrrry interesting in the beginning.
we called them wip nobs had one on my first 3 cars
No, but when I was a kid, I knew a guy with one arm who had three or four on his steering wheel that allowed him to drive, and I never heard of his having an accident.
I have one on my current pick-up truck. I like it very much.
I do have one on our 1994 GM Winnebago 34′ Class A. It is factory and built into the steering wheel and flips down easily. I use it all the time; makes driving in city traffic easier and I feel I have better control with it. I have envisioned using it for faster and more positive control in a front tire blowout – not sure of that; fortunately I have not experienced that – YET!
I used suicide knobs all my teenage years and sometimes two at a time. Quit using them much after I went into the military.
Thank you, Gail! I have seen these knobs on a few steering wheels, but never driven anything with one. That includes the 1946 Case tractor with a tricycle configuration on which I learned to drive. Happy new year and safe travels!