From Elation to Deflation! Can you help?
Discussion
In the seven years I've had my Wedge, one of the small niggles I've had, is that I've felt the driving position would be so much better if only the steering wheel was just a little bit bigger and about two inches closer.
I have to put the seat right back (long legs) which means my arms are a bit straight (short) and the wheel obscures the fuel gauge and charge gauge. Also, not having power steering, nor being a body builder it makes for very heavy steering at low speed (I am such a whimp). However, I've lived with it (have you seen the price of steering wheels?)
Imagine my elation then, when the other day a friend gives me... yes gives me!... a rather nice suede rimmed Momo steering wheel (lovely, feely, touchy, grippy, tactile, warm in winter, cool in summer....Mmmmmmm nice!) that is just a little bigger than my existing one. Perfect! Not only was it perfect in diameter, but attached to this steering wheel, included in the price of FREE! was the ultimate novelty, go slower gadget, show it to yer mates, non essential toy.....a sparco quick release boss thingy in gold anodized finish which just happens to bring the wheel two inches closer!! Perfect x 2!
So anyway, off I skip to the garage, all elated, to fit it.
Now this is where happy me becomes not so happy me and deflation hits
First problem I notice is that the six bolt fixing in the centre is in a different position. Existing steering wheel = bolts at 3 and 9 o'clock, Momo bolt holes at 12 and 6 o'clock. Thinking I would just rotate boss on splines and loose indicator self cancel, I then realised that Momo / sparco bolt hole centers are different to existing wheel centres. So it just wont fit!!
So here is where you can help please. Before I ring up sparco or Momo to order a new boss, can anyone tell me the correct spline size to specify so I know what fitment to order?
Or, has anyone solved this scenario by fitting a different wheel mounting to the existing boss?
My boss consists of an 20mm alloy disc with the splines in, bolted to that with 4 bolts is a 43mm extension that has the 6 bolt wheel mounting at the other end. Both the extension and steering wheel are 'personal' make.
Required dimensions for the sparco / Momo bolt centres are, 70mm between diagonals / 35mm between adjacent holes.
Yes I know I should be spending my time getting the exhaust fixed, but I just couldn't resist this, and.......it was FREE!!
I have to put the seat right back (long legs) which means my arms are a bit straight (short) and the wheel obscures the fuel gauge and charge gauge. Also, not having power steering, nor being a body builder it makes for very heavy steering at low speed (I am such a whimp). However, I've lived with it (have you seen the price of steering wheels?)
Imagine my elation then, when the other day a friend gives me... yes gives me!... a rather nice suede rimmed Momo steering wheel (lovely, feely, touchy, grippy, tactile, warm in winter, cool in summer....Mmmmmmm nice!) that is just a little bigger than my existing one. Perfect! Not only was it perfect in diameter, but attached to this steering wheel, included in the price of FREE! was the ultimate novelty, go slower gadget, show it to yer mates, non essential toy.....a sparco quick release boss thingy in gold anodized finish which just happens to bring the wheel two inches closer!! Perfect x 2!
So anyway, off I skip to the garage, all elated, to fit it.
Now this is where happy me becomes not so happy me and deflation hits
First problem I notice is that the six bolt fixing in the centre is in a different position. Existing steering wheel = bolts at 3 and 9 o'clock, Momo bolt holes at 12 and 6 o'clock. Thinking I would just rotate boss on splines and loose indicator self cancel, I then realised that Momo / sparco bolt hole centers are different to existing wheel centres. So it just wont fit!!
So here is where you can help please. Before I ring up sparco or Momo to order a new boss, can anyone tell me the correct spline size to specify so I know what fitment to order?
Or, has anyone solved this scenario by fitting a different wheel mounting to the existing boss?
My boss consists of an 20mm alloy disc with the splines in, bolted to that with 4 bolts is a 43mm extension that has the 6 bolt wheel mounting at the other end. Both the extension and steering wheel are 'personal' make.
Required dimensions for the sparco / Momo bolt centres are, 70mm between diagonals / 35mm between adjacent holes.
Yes I know I should be spending my time getting the exhaust fixed, but I just couldn't resist this, and.......it was FREE!!
Hi there, I was in exactly the same situation. I am 6,5 and found that it was a bit cramped. First I made some new door cards, minus the door pulls etc to get my knees a bit more comfy. Then I raised the steering column as much as I could. Then lowered the seats to the floor. Altered the pedals max forward. Peice-de-resitance is an adapter that I made in work that brings out the stering wheel by 100mm. To say I am comfy is an under-statement. As Clarkson said " I haven't been this relaxed since baby oil was in the equation"
If you need sizes give me a shout.
If you need sizes give me a shout.
I'm 6'8" and managed to get comfy in my early 350i using similar techniques as Uglymug. (Hi Uglymug, did you get my tenner?)
I found a deep dished steering wheel off an earlier 280i, and fitted chimaera seats, which give a little more room at the back. Really comnfy for long journeys now.
I found a deep dished steering wheel off an earlier 280i, and fitted chimaera seats, which give a little more room at the back. Really comnfy for long journeys now.
Thanks for the suggestions, I think my easiest solution is to just buy the appropriate hub kit from Momo, they are only about £35. Trouble is I'm not sure what the correct fitment is for the wedge steering column splines.
Anybody know what steering column TVR used in the 1997 350i?
The choice is vast, see below link!
www.motorsportworld.co.uk/gallerylink.asp?CAT=1031&subid=144&itemgroup=Steering%20Wheel%20Hub%20Kits
Oh and when I checked out the sparco site, I found the quick release boss that was 'given' to me, £160 odd quid plus vat plus delivery!! Think I owe my mate some beers!!
Anybody know what steering column TVR used in the 1997 350i?
The choice is vast, see below link!
www.motorsportworld.co.uk/gallerylink.asp?CAT=1031&subid=144&itemgroup=Steering%20Wheel%20Hub%20Kits
Oh and when I checked out the sparco site, I found the quick release boss that was 'given' to me, £160 odd quid plus vat plus delivery!! Think I owe my mate some beers!!
[quote=350matt]I'd suggest making up an ally adaptor plate to mate up the two bolt patterns, did this on mine and it worked a treat
Matt
Well I should have listened to you earlier Matt, but no, I had to spend hours and hours on the Internet and telephone, refusing to believe that nobody could simply sell me hub off the shelf that would fit, but nobody can (or should that be nobody can't?)
So I have ordered a Mountney 'traditional' hub and am going to see if I can make up an adaptor plate as you suggested.
It is strange though, there seems to be lots of Wedges about with momo steering wheels fitted, someone must have made a suitable hub at some stage?
Matt
Well I should have listened to you earlier Matt, but no, I had to spend hours and hours on the Internet and telephone, refusing to believe that nobody could simply sell me hub off the shelf that would fit, but nobody can (or should that be nobody can't?)
So I have ordered a Mountney 'traditional' hub and am going to see if I can make up an adaptor plate as you suggested.
It is strange though, there seems to be lots of Wedges about with momo steering wheels fitted, someone must have made a suitable hub at some stage?
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