Removable Steering Wheel

[grumpy]

Any thoughts on either the Elise Shop or Elise Parts items?

I like the engineering of the Elise parts but when I had a similar product on my Caterfield I was always a little worried that if I left the car with the wheel attached someone could nick the wheel. (I know, don't leave the wheel on then).

The Elise Shop item seems to over-come this with a locking system, however this looks fiddly to operate. I assume the horn push stays on the car as in the Elise Parts item, the picture on their website just shows a stub.

[zebedee]

dunno, I have a Momo one, which comes with a little key and lock that inserts and stays put until you take the wheel off, but works without the lock too, so you have best of both worlds.

[Loudman]

I've got the snap-on one from Eliseparts. Was reasonably easy to fit and no complaints from me. Handy for security risk areas apart from anything else.

[bordseye]

which of these had a nice thick leather padded rim? The standard Lotus one is a bit hard after 200 miles.

[grumpy]

Neither. We are talking about the boss rarther than the steering wheel itself.

Once you fit the "removeable boss" you can choose from a whole host of after-market steering wheels.

[zebedee]

but the momo one feels lovely, even after 11 years

[grumpy]

Ordered the Elise Parts item and a Momo 88 wheel. Nice.......................

[satan 59]

I got the Eliseparts version, it was a bit fiddly to fit but OK. I had to do some messing about with the horn but that was the wheel not the boss. I've never used the lock as I take the wheel off everytime I leave the car. Also makes getting in & out easier.

[Loudman]

I went for the sparco suede one....hmmmm racy....

[grumpy]

Ordered Tueseday arrived Wednesday morning, good service there.

Fitted Saturday. Thought, "why have they provided 4 new cap head screws to fit the new back plate to the existing hub". Ah, the old ones are too long bottom out on the blind holes, silly me.

So I fit the new ones and they are the same length, WTF? 4x spring washers sorted. Poor I think. They should have been supplied.

As someone mentioned the horn push needed a re-work with a stanley knife to get it to fit.

I need to wash my hands after driving the car as the dye from the black suede comes off which is a pain.

Over-all though, very pleased with the look and feel of it.

I actually find it easyer to get out of the car with the wheel fitted.

[Loudman]

Pics?

[Cotty]

grumpy said:

Ordered the Elise Parts item and a Momo 88 wheel. Nice.......................

Does it bring the wheel closer to you?

[grumpy]

They can supply two sizes of spacers, 20mm or 40mm to achive this. I'm not sure if you can use more than one spacer though.

I'm 6' 2" and the position of the original was fine so I didn't need any spacers.

Eddited to say I'm talking about the boss not the wheel.

[Cotty]

The wheel is ok, just need it closer to me.

[Cogcog]

zebedee said:

dunno, I have a Momo one, which comes with a little key and lock that inserts and stays put until you take the wheel off, but works without the lock too, so you have best of both worlds.

Ditto, although I rarely take it off TBH.

[RemaL]

looked rather nice when I seen it yesterday Dave

[Sune]

Just got the Momo 88 from EP, but forgot to order the special EP steering wheel puller tool. Can I do without it, or should I just bite the dust and order it (shipment to Denmark costs a fortune mind you)?

[grumpy]

I bought a puller as it didn't cost much and I couldn't be arsed to make one.

If you go to SELOC, TECHWIKI pages, there's write-up on removing the steering wheel. A two man job without the puller they say.

[worldwidewebs]

Sune said:

Just got the Momo 88 from EP, but forgot to order the special EP steering wheel puller tool. Can I do without it, or should I just bite the dust and order it (shipment to Denmark costs a fortune mind you)?

You don't need it. In fact, using it will only damage the wheel you're taking off (well, the cage anyway).

All you need to do is loosen the nut holding the steering wheel on - don't remove it completely, just leave it on 2 or 3 threads. Then do one of two things: either get your knees behind the wheel and give it a good hard pull, or get a rubber mallet and tap (hardish) the wheel from the back. The wheel will then pop off nicely but not smack you in the nose (as you left the nut on )