steering wheel rake (ergonomics)

KobaltBlau · 06-09-2004, 02:11 PM

Hello All,

I would like to have the steering wheel a little closer to me in my SC. I could certainly buy an aftermarket wheel and adjust the distance with dish and/or spacers. However, I really like the 3-spoke stock wheel my SC came with just fine. Plus, I don't have to worry about anyone trying to steal an aftermarket wheel.

Anyone done this, or think it could be done reasonably?

TIA

Schrup · Schrup's Garage

Try moving you seat forward.

BigD9146gt · BigD9146gt's Garage

Sure, post a pic of the bare hub (no plastic). I have lots of parts at my disposal to modify.... the only problem is liabilty. I know any mods i make wouldn't fail, but theres a lawyer on every corner.

Zeke · 06-09-2004, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Schrup
Try moving you seat forward.

Good one, Paul.

Kobalt, people still steal steering wheels? Around here, they just take the car, with or without you in it. I'm home and off the streets by dark.

I would think a spacer is the only way to go.

GrindingGears · 10:44 AM

It took me forever to do this correctly.

Here's the skinny.

There was an option (M018) for a sport wheel option with the SCs. This option included a hub spacer and a steering wheel with a long collapsable column (the metal part with all the holes). A normal SC column is far different than the sport option SC column.

The difference is that the normal SC setup has the spline on the end of the collapsable colunm. The sport setup has no spline on the end of the collapsable column but has holes for the spacer to attach (the spacer has the spline). Does that makes sense? Dammit, I wish I had some pictures.

I'll look for some pics after I get back from class. If I can't find any I'll take some. This was a huge issue for me, for a long time. Long legs and average length arms made driving the SC with stock spaced wheel really uncomfortable.

I'll get back to the thread later with pics.

Note: I didn't fab or modify schit, I wanted to go with an OEM setup.

KobaltBlau · 06-09-2004, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Schrup
Try moving you seat forward.

but then my legs are "scrunched"

Quote:

Originally posted by Zeke

Kobalt, people still steal steering wheels? Around here, they just take the car, with or without you in it. I'm home and off the streets by dark.

I would think a spacer is the only way to go.

Well Zeke, I haven't had a wheel stolen, but my concern is that a momo or sparco wheel fits on, say, a honda, with the proper adapter. I actually have had the whole car taken. It was... a honda (actually acura, but whatever). that was a PITA. My neighbor's M3 had the (road) wheels ripped off of it in the (mostly secured) parking garage (when I lived in a condo complex). I'm not always off the streets by dark.

I would think you are right on the spacer. Does anyone know if the 3-spoke SC style wheel has a cast center with the splines, or if the splined part could be unbolted from a flat part with holes (if that makes sense) I should figure this out myself, but I haven't taken it off yet. I'm getting my 968 ready to sell so the 911 is in a friend's garage across town right now.

No hurry really, so I guess I can just wait and take stuff apart and post pictures.

TIA, again.

KobaltBlau · 06-09-2004, 03:42 PM

I just read this. This is why the forum is so great, I may have never learned about M018 if I hadn't posted here.

Quote:

Originally posted by GrindingGears
There was an option (M018) for a sport wheel option with the SCs. This option included a hub spacer and a steering wheel with a long collapsable column (the metal part with all the holes). A normal SC wheel is far different than the sport option SC wheel.

The difference is that the normal SC wheel has the spline on the end of the collapsable colunm. The sport wheel has no spline on the end of the collapsable column but has holes for the spacer to attach (the spacer has the spline). Does that makes sense? Dammit, I wish I had some pictures.
...
I'll get back to the thread later with pics.
...

This almost makes sense. Does the sport steering wheel still have female splines like the stock wheel? If so, why does the steering wheel have to change, if the column and spacer are set up as you describe.

Thanks lots, looking forward to pics!

Also: are these parts at all obtainable?

GrindingGears · 06-09-2004, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KobaltBlau
This almost makes sense. Does the sport steering wheel still have female splines like the stock wheel? If so, why does the steering wheel have to change, if the column and spacer are set up as you describe.

Thanks lots, looking forward to pics!

Also: are these parts at all obtainable?

If I'm remembering correctly the sport column has no spline. The stock column does.

The spline for the sport setup is on the spacer. The spacer attachs to the column.

Attempt at diagrams:

Stock setup, the ' ~ ' represents the spline:

|____
|____~
|

Sport setup, the ' [ ] ' represent the spacer:

|____
|____ [ ]~
|

You can't take a stock column and attach the spacer, b/c the stock column spline gets in the way of the spacer. Also, the stock column doesnt have the holes for the spacer.

If that doesn't make sense, I'll have to disassemble the wheel on my car for pics. May take a couple days.

Parts obtainable? Yes, indeed. You just gotta search. I got mine from Tyson.

Good luck

KobaltBlau · 06-10-2004, 08:43 AM

Thanks so much Philip,

That does make sense. I definitely understand the column setup. Only a couple more questions...

1. You can use the same steering wheel, right?

2. How big is the spacer? i.e. about how much closer is the wheel? I bet it will be just fine, but I'd like to have some idea.

I really appreciate your help!

GrindingGears · 06-10-2004, 09:02 AM

Yes, the wheels are the same, it's the columns that are different. You can use the same wheel with a different column. The wheel is attached to the column by four rivets.

I ended up getting a ratty wheel attached to the sport column and hub. My stock wheel (with stock column) was much nicer. Soooo, I dremeled off the rivets from both wheels and reattached the sport column hub to my orignal wheel. Viola, now I have a nice looking wheel, with the M18 column and hub.

I'm at work but I'd say the spacer is an inch to an inch and a quarter wide (?). Whatever it is, it makes a nice difference, brings the wheel in and up. It'll take a couple days to get used to the turn signal levers being further from your fingers, but who the hell signals anyway?

Later

KobaltBlau · 06-10-2004, 09:10 AM

Nice. Thanks again, Philip. I did a little searching online and found that the 928 M018 was a 30mm spacer, which is right in line with what you said. I'll get on the hunt! Much appreciated!