Momo L231 Fit Issue on '89

[Scbrindley]

It was 75* and sunny in Austin today....so of course I spent the day in the garage. One project I had planned was to bolt up my new (to me) Momo wheel. I've got a '89 Targa and have the L231 hub adapter. However, it wouldn't fit over the steering shaft. I made sure the splines were lined up, but it just wouldn't slide down.

I've put a Momo wheel/hub on my 924s before....it was extremely easy.

I've attached some pictures showing what I'm talking about.

Here's a shot of my steering column with the factory wheel removed.


Stock wheel/hub. Don't think this matters, but my car came from the factory with an extended hub.


Here's the diameter of the factory hub. Notice it's slightly larger than the Momo.


Here's the diameter of the Momo hub. It's just a tiny bit smaller....


What do you think? Should I just push with more force? I don't want to screw up the splines....and from my past experience they should just slide on.

As always, thanks for any tips.

SB

[Scooter]

SB,

You should be able to feel the hub engage into the splines, even if just a little. If it does not appear to be engaging, don't force it.

It is also possible that the hub is not an L231. Unfortunately, things do get mismarked sometimes.

[Scbrindley]

Thanks, Scott. I can feel the splines....the hub just doesn't want to push over. I'll give it another shot with a thin coat of grease. If it's still tough I'll take a small file to the splines on the momo hub and see if I can debur any nicks that could be throwing the diameter off.

Sean

Originally Posted by Scooter

SB,

You should be able to feel the hub engage into the splines, even if just a little. If it does not appear to be engaging, don't force it.

It is also possible that the hub is not an L231. Unfortunately, things do get mismarked sometimes.

[SilberUrS6]

This exact wheel/hub combo was on my '85. In fact, I sold it to him.

It was snug on my '85 coupe. If that L231 hub is a fake, it's a pretty good fake, with the Momo stuff and the L231 stampings.

Maybe if you took the hub off of the wheel, and just tried fitting it on the column without all the other stuff in the way, you might be able to see where the interference is?

[Scbrindley]

Thanks, Eric. Just wanted to note that Eric is a very honest seller and I am in NO WAY blaming him for this issue. The wheel was exactly as described and packaged very well.

Originally Posted by SilberUrS6

This exact wheel/hub combo was on my '85. In fact, I sold it to him.

It was snug on my '85 coupe. If that L231 hub is a fake, it's a pretty good fake, with the Momo stuff and the L231 stampings.

Maybe if you took the hub off of the wheel, and just tried fitting it on the column without all the other stuff in the way, you might be able to see where the interference is?

[SilberUrS6]

Originally Posted by Scbrindley

Thanks, Eric. Just wanted to note that Eric is a very honest seller and I am in NO WAY blaming him for this issue. The wheel was exactly as described and packaged very well.

I appreciate you saying that. And I will say this: at no time, either in your PMs or this thread, did I even get the slightest hint that you had any hassles at all with me or the sale.

Written communications can sometimes suck because nuance is lost, and that can lead to miscommunication, even when both sides think they have said it clearly!

Having said all that, I do hope you find out what the interference is, because I liked driving with that wheel, and I think you will too.

[Scooter]

Wasn't trying to cause a stir here. I had no idea where the hub came from. If it came from a dealer, I thought it might have been one possibility that it was the wrong hub in the right box.

Since it was already fitted on an '85, I am sure it will eventually fit.

[Fordsche]

SB,

I just joined because I'm having the same issue with my momo L231 hub. I took off the original steering wheel which slid on & off fine. I haven't measured mine but I'm sure it's close to the same difference as what you've got.
Were you able to resolve yours? What was the trick?

Thanks in advanced,
Adam

[Scbrindley]

I cleaned the splines really well which helped a little bit....but it was still very tight. I got the hub to line up and then attached the steering wheel to the hub and used that as leverage. Had to use some force but nothing too drastic.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[Mark Salvetti]

See this other thread, same problem. Seems like carefully cleaning the splines with a small file will take care of it.
Momo Hub Issues

Mark