How to attach a steering wheel / hub to exisitng steering column

[Colin Fabri]

Hi,

I am very close to getting my RCR GT40 approved for registration in Australia. At this stage the only hold up is the steering wheel and hub that was supplied with the kit. The 3 issues are that the quick release steering hub won't get approved here, there is too much play between the hub and spline and the steering wheel itself is not an approved ADR wheel.

The current hub slides across a coupler welded to the 3/4 inch 'Double D' shaped steering shaft. I am thinking of buying another 3/4 inch shaft to replace this one and have something welded to it that then bolts to a momo hub that then bolts to a momo steering wheel (momo being ADR approved in Aus)

So the question is....Where can I buy a coupler that could be welded or otherwise attached to a 3/4 inch shaft that then bolts to a momo hub, or is there a simpler idea that might work. Ultimately I need to use a Momo (or Saas) hub and steering wheel without a quick release mechanism, then my engineer will be happy and I can obtain registration and celebrate 5 years of (slow) building.

I would appreciate any ideas ?

Thanks

Colin

 

[Mark Winton]

Colin ... I would be very cautious about welding to a steering column, for 3 * reasons :-
1> You probably do not know what grade steel it is; alloy steels typically do not weld well, and require specialist processes and consumables
2> It is very small diameter (3/4") which could lead to some pretty high weld stresses; not just from steering but the inevitable pulling and pushing that can be applied to a steering wheel rim
3> My observation is that steering wheels are commonly larger diameter and steering hubs are attached by fitted through bolts or pins; although I would not recommend drilling through a 3/4" steering shaft.
Sorry mate, if its bad news, but allot of things do not add up (technically) in your post. eg. the 'play between hub and spline' - that should not be detectable !