Suicide Knobs aka Brodie Knobs, Necker Knobs, Steering Wheel Spinners...

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Suicide Knobs

Suicide Knobs are the attachments you put on a steering wheel so you can drive a car or truck with one hand. They are also known as Brodie Knobs, Necker Knobs and Wheel Spinners.

They were very popular in the days before power steering. Now that everyone has power steering they are not as popular, due in part to a number of states banning them.

They can have wildly different designs and can be an interesting accessory.

Check out these knobs! 

Short History 

Brodie knobs were used on trucks before the advent of power steering. Their main use today is still in trucks, particularly semi trucks where they allow simultaneous steering and operation of the radio. They also see extensive use on forklift trucks used in warehouses and even riding lawnmowers, where frequent sharp turning is required while moving about.

Brodie Knobs were widely popular (especially on the west coast of the U.S.), during the 1950s. Their intention was to be used primarily as addition to a Hot Rod. The knob was used to spin the steering wheel, rapidly in one direction or the other, while accelerating, to cause the tire(s) to spin. Hence, come the terms "lay a brodie" and "Slob the knob".

Suicide Knobs on Amazon 

In the 1950s and 60's a person could go into any local mechanics shop and choose from a large variety of "Brodie Knobs", with every conceivable theme, from "Candy Apple colored", product logos, to nude women, and everything in between, some automobile dealerships even used them for advertisements.

Auto Steering Wheel Spinner Suicide Knob with Route 66

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Polished Aliminum Steering Wheel Spinner

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Chrome Skull Steering Wheel Spinner Knob

Amazon Price: $16.95 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Pool Ball Steering Wheel Spinner Knob Red #3

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

8 Ball Steering Wheel Spinner Knob

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 11/25/2009) Buy Now

Blog Posts from Google 

Toolmonger » Blog Archive » One Guess How This Guy Crashed?
Known most commonly as a ?spinner knob? (or alternatively as a ?suicide knob?), more sturdy and functional versions of this thing made cranking a whopping huge steering wheel around three or four full revolutions lock-to-lock easier. ...
My new Camo RZR - Polaris RZR Forum - RZR Forums.net
Rear bumper 44 mag suicide knob 44 mag shifter knob door nets modified. Almost done with the stereo. Temp Gauge to be added soon dual batteries to hook up. UNI filter. Snorkels to be added soon. Fender flares to install. ...
where can i find a trucker girl steering/suicide knob?
i have an old chev, and am looking for a steering knob that has the infamous trucker girl on it. i can only seem to find the typical 8 ball, betty boop, etc... thanks in advance if you help me out i will pick best answer!
are suicide knobs legal for driving?
if the suicide knob disturbs the use of the car's airbag, then the owner will have to seek approval from the national highway transportation and safety board to deactivate the airbag, according to an odot spokesman.

What's your favorite name? 

Here's a list of the names. Please add any I've missed, or if you have a better definition, let me know!

Granny Knob

2 points

Suicide Knob

Used by hot-rodders to do even more dangerous mane more...1 point

Necker Knob

Allows steering with one hand while the driver wra more...1 point

Brodie Knob

0 points

Rob's Knob

0 points

Steering wheel spinner

0 points

Suicide Knobs on eBay 

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