Steering wheel questions...

[John Price]

I'm thinking that a project for next year (after recovering from holiday expenses) may be to swap out the stock air bag equiped steering wheel on my Elan for one of the non air bag equiped Elise wheels that I see Marie and others have done here.

I'm a bit confused though, maybe I just didn't read all the posts from those that have done so, but do I need to custom fabricate an adapter or is the swap a straightforward affair ?

Also, what is the diameter difference between the two wheels ? And does the smaller Elise wheel increase the weighting of the steering much ?

Finally, what's the weight difference between the stock air bag'ed wheel and the non air bag'ed Elise wheel ?

Thanks,

John Price
Denver CO

[dapinky]

John,

I can't comment much on the Fed airbag wheel, but I assume that the mounting boss is the same as the UK version.

Also, I assume that the diameter is the same as the UK one.

If these assumptions are correct (LGM or someone else will hopefully either confirm or shoot me down in flames!), then it should be quite straightforward.

First thing to consider is your safety whilst doing the swap - Airbags can be dangerous if 'fired' accidentally - please take great care when removing the wheel.

Once the wheel is off, on the UK version there are no airbags, so removal is straightforward (1 x 3/4" nut, then use a puller to free the wheel from the shaft. DO NOT HIT IT WITH A BIG (or little) HAMMER.

This can damage the 'colapsable' shaft.

The actual steering boss is attached to the Elan wheel with a colapsable spacer piece. 4 bolts on the boss, 6 on the wheel. The spacer is threaded to accept the bolts, and they are standard M6 thread.

On the Elise wheel, the Elan boss bolts directly to the wheel with 4 bolts, going from the back of the boss, through the wheel, into the spacer boss (or just use nuts if you want to!).

Either way, you will need to get some bolts which are 5-6mm longer than the ones in the car to allow for the thickness of the Elise steering wheel.

Upon re-assembly, remember to run a length of cable from the horn push to one of the bolts to complete the earth side of the switch.

The whole job took me just under an hour, and i'm sure i could do another one in half the time now i know how it all goes.

As for driving, it is a bit heavier, but still easily manageable (even for Angie!!!).

The shape of the rim gives a better 'feel' (only my opinion - can't be based on fact).

Most importantly, there is more thigh/leg room.

It does restrict the view of the tacho guage a bit, but not drastically so.

Remember, it is only about an inch smaller, but every inch (apparently ) makes a BIG difference.

I first saw the conversion on pics of LGM's car and liked it, then when Neil did his, followed by Paul Watkins, i jumped on the bandwagon (having had a drive of Pauls first!).

After a couple of days you just get used to the smaller size and it makes for a more 'direct' steering action.

Of course - the Fed car could be totally different..........

[Elanlover]

I "think" the bosses are different from UK to Fed cars but I can't say for sure. I "think" they are different only because the steering columns are different and the OEM airbag wheel is a GM model in Fed cars. I always thought the wheel was something other than GM in UK cars.

I'll be installing the airbag Elise wheel this winter (he says with guarded optimism). I'm under the impression that you'll need a GM - Momo boss to make it all work - airbag or no airbag wheel. Or, you can weld up an adaptor like Marie did.

[Ekapol]

Also, what is the diameter difference between the two wheels ? And does the smaller Elise wheel increase the weighting of the steering much ?

Finally, what's the weight difference between the stock air bag'ed wheel and the non air bag'ed Elise wheel ?

The Elise wheel is roughly 1 1/2 inches smaller, even lighter than the Fed stock wheel frame after the airbag being removed. The smaller size does increase the weight of the steering but heh~ that makes it feel much more like the way a sport car is supposed to be, imho, almost like I can literally turn the front wheel by hand with more precise control.

More effort to turn the wheel but I have faster response and control from its smaller radius.

We had to thin those bolts down a bit so they don't rub the back when turning.



Kjeld found the adapter from another model (Geo?) so LGM didn't have to modify his. Hope this helps.

[rip]

so LGM didn't have to modify his.

Ekkers, have you dropped a clanger there?

[paulwatkins]

so LGM didn't have to modify his.

Ekkers, have you dropped a clanger there?

Not if you read the whole sentance

LGM didnt have to modify Kjelds steering wheel boss, because Kjeld found one off another model (Geo?)

[Ekapol]

so LGM didn't have to modify his.

Ekkers, have you dropped a clanger there?

Not if you read the whole sentance

LGM didnt have to modify Kjelds steering wheel boss, because Kjeld found one off another model (Geo?)

Paul's sentence makes more sense

[John Price]

Thanks for the info. This is definitely looking like a project after the holiday expenses.

But, what about the adapter ? This is the area I'm in the dark about.

Does anyone know more about Kjeld's adapter he found ? I thought I also saw something about using a Momo adapter ? Marie are you up for making and selling an adapter ?

John Price
Denver CO

[lotusgirlmarie]

Hey John,
Kjeld found the addapter by luck as it is no longer made by anyone. It was for a Geo or Isuzu (import GM). His was from Nardi which also by luck is the manufacturer of the Elise wheel. I did have to drill and tap the four bolt holes to make it work but thats a different kind of mod for the rest of us. In the "stripey" thread Ekapol took a few pics of me litterally cutting the boss fromthe factory wheel to later be welded into the collapsable collar of the Elise wheel. This is more than likely what your going to have to do if you wish to go for the smaller wheel and ditch the HUGE GM tiller. You will really need to be mindfull of how you weld it as getting the thing centered and not throwing off the turn indicator release is a trick all its own. the one major downside is that the factory wheel is not reusable after the mod. If you wish to go back you will need to buy another wheel from GM or Lotus.

Another interesting tidbit of useless info. The FED cars do not have a collapsable section in the steering column as the ROW cars do. Instead they use an airbag. This is also why the Fed cars do not have a tilt steering wheel. Got to love the US DOT. This was their idea of a safer car.

on a side note I"ll be in Denver during the first part of the week of the 16 to meet up with Algirdas. Lets try to coordinate and maybe meet up somewhere for dinner.

[rip]

[John Price]

Thanks for the info Marie. Sounds like more than I want to tackle. I'll keep thinking about it and/or see what other options I have available. But I don't have the skills or equipment to fabricate my own adapter.

I'd enjoy meeting both you and Algirdas on your trip to Denver. Let's plan a dinner or something while you're in town.

John Price
Denver CO