|
|
|
I have a perpetual issue with cars where I find I can get the seat comfortable, be close enough to the pedals and far enough from the dash/windscreen but then find that I can't reach the steering wheel comfortably, particularly on longer journeys.
I'm having this issue in a more pronounced way than usual in the Maestro, and so I'm looking at deep dish steering wheels as a possible solution to bring the wheel rim an inch or two nearer to me and make for a more comfortable driving experience.
Thing is, I don't really know the first thing about fitting a non-standard steering wheel. I have a vague notion that you need to know the spline count on the steering column but I don't know how you work this out.
Ideally, I'd like to drop a wheel from another 80s/90s car straight on so it doesn't look like a 'performance' mod, but not knowing what to measure, I don't know what would and wouldn't work.
Alternatively, perhaps there's and easier solution than buying a replacement wheel? If I move the seat to be closer to the wheel, I'm too close for everything else, so that's not an option here.
In the meantime, I'll just be uncomfortable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 16:03:35 GMT
|
i got a spacer for mine as it was too close to the dash - only added a cm or so but it did make a difference. think i got it from demon tweeks (this was for an aftermarket momo wheel btw)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 19:27:26 GMT
|
Is the steering wheel of a MG Meastro the same? Or maybe a Rover Metro three spoke wheel fit, I do like the look of them.
It could be that the sportier version comes a little bit more inwards, certainly did when I put a 100NX wheel into a Micra.
|
|
Click picture for more
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 22:11:23 GMT
|
So far, I'm none the wiser so I'm just making a couple of stabs at possibles which are presently a TR7 wheel, a Figaro wheel and an Astrali-type padded vinyl wheel. They might not fit at all, but they look appealing to me which is as good a place to start as any.
|
|
|
|
Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,521
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 22:47:07 GMT
|
|
|
Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable.
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 22:52:49 GMT
|
I have a Mountney boss for a Mini sitting about doing nothing at my parents' house - yours for £10+ post if you want it?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 22:58:27 GMT
|
|
|
Click picture for more
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 23:14:06 GMT
|
Seth: star work there. I didn't really know what to look for, I just kept coming up with nothing specific and ending up more confused. Now I know anything Mini will fit things have got a LOT easier. ettore: That mini wheel looks just about perfect. The others are pretty much the same as what I've got, the MG one is surprisingly no more dished than the standard Maestro number. Cheers chaps, I think you solved my problem. I now know the TR7 wheel won't fit, sadly, as it's a different size according to what I can find out but there's a myriad Mini wheels to pick from across all price ranges. Superb.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 23:22:07 GMT
|
jrevillug: I may take you up on that, I'll see what I get hold of wheel-wise first.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 24, 2013 23:53:42 GMT
|
jrevillug: I may take you up on that, I'll see what I get hold of wheel-wise first. Yup, no problem. Next time I'm home I'll have a look in the garage and see what Mini wheels turn up too - I know of two, but don't think they are what you're after TBH.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 25, 2013 12:51:33 GMT
|
ettore: That mini wheel looks just about perfect. The others are pretty much the same as what I've got, the MG one is surprisingly no more dished than the standard Maestro number. They might come out a bit more than the stock one even though they don't have any visible dish, especially if they're of another car. Think of it as ET on wheels. Although that mg one does look very flat
|
|
Last Edit: Jan 25, 2013 12:52:19 GMT by dude
|
|
|
|
Jan 27, 2013 18:13:09 GMT
|
joem: I was told quick-release wheels weren't allowed on road cars and were an automatic MoT fail as they're described as being 'insecure'. I know of a chap in my home town who had a Morris Traveller with a "quick-release steering wheel", which was mostly an adjustable spanner in his pocket.
|
|
|
|
RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
|
|
Jan 27, 2013 18:19:06 GMT
|
I know a few guys who run quick release wheels on road cars as track cars. I wouldn't ever bother with one in just a normal road car though, the only real need's to help you getting in and out if you've got high sided buckets or an awkward roll cage. You can get decent depth simple spacers for the standard 6 bolt type wheels, and probably mountney style ones too.
Sounds really stupid, and I'm sure it's not the case, but you couldn't just have the seat a little more upright could you? I always get in other peoples cars and struggle to reach the wheel because their seats are slumped back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 27, 2013 18:21:36 GMT
|
I ran one of them quick release bosses on my 106 rallye, it passed a few MOTs fine at a fairly nitpicky place
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 27, 2013 18:34:06 GMT
|
robin: Not a stupid suggestion at all, I've got the seat as vertical as I can get it without pushing my face too close to the windscreen or breaking my back, I drive with my seat quite upright anyway, always have. The problem is my stupid, Tyrannosaurus-like arms.
|
|
|
|
RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
|
|
Jan 27, 2013 18:39:42 GMT
|
Haha, fair enough. Well yeah, if mini wheels will fit then I'm sure you'll be able to sort something pretty easily. If you roughly measure the depth of the wheel from the very back of the wheel to the rim of it then I can measure one or 2 of the mini's that are at work and see if there's any that are deeper. Might even have a spare somewhere.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 27, 2013 23:31:14 GMT
|
joem: I was told quick-release wheels weren't allowed on road cars and were an automatic MoT fail as they're described as being 'insecure'. I know of a chap in my home town who had a Morris Traveller with a "quick-release steering wheel", which was mostly an adjustable spanner in his pocket. I don't know tbh, I had a locking Raid one on my 205, must have gone through at least 5 MOT's with it on & never had a problem.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 31, 2013 19:57:13 GMT
|
jrevillug: Looks like I will be wanting that boss after all, managed to win a wheel on eBay for a tiny sum that may or may not be suitable but should fit the boss you've got. I'll PM you when it arrives so I can provide measurements and whatnot to check it's compatible with your boss.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 31, 2013 20:51:58 GMT
|
The boss I have is for a 6-bolt wheel with the bolts on a 100mm (or maybe 101.6mm = 4") PCD - standard ye-olde style Mountney fitment (as opposed to the small-PCD common on modern motorsport wheels of ~65mm). It's reasonably deep - but no measurement to hand.
I'm planning to go back to my parents for the 9th and 10th of Feb, so can grab it then.
|
|
|
|
|