Steering Wheel To Fit Legs Under

[sebdangerfield]

Hi Folks, I finally bought my first westfield after lusting after one since I was 12 and buying Kit Car Magazine! I absolutely love the car and thanks for having me on the forum. 

 

I'm tall but the car has a lowered floor so I fit well but my thighs hit the steering wheel and I'd like more room. The car has a detachable steering wheel but I feel if I can bring the wheel closer to me it'd free up space around the wheel for my thighs. 

 

I imagine I could do that by either fitting a wheel with more dish, a smaller diameter wheel or a spacer behind the wheel. Does anyone have any advice on the options or experience from anyone who's done this please?

[Ross Seight]

I fitted a quick release Brown/ Geeson boss and a flat bottom steering wheel.

this brought the wheel closer to me and gave me the clearance I needed.

[Euan Hoosearmy]

Spacers work well, makes the wheel higher as well as closer to you. Gives clearance between knees and hands on tight corners

[Ansoeb]

You can also buy these. I know a guy who is long legged and fitted an eccentric  spacer to his S1 Elise for the same reason.

[TableLeg]

1 hour ago, Euan Hoosearmy said:

Spacers work well, makes the wheel higher as well as closer to you. Gives clearance between knees and hands on tight corners

As said, there's load of options. See here.
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/s/steering-wheels/steering-wheel-spacers-and-adaptors

[sebdangerfield]

Thanks all, really helpful advice. It looks like a spacer is the way to go then. Sorry for the basic questions, it looks like most online are 6 or 3 bolt. Is that the standard or are there different diameters? This is my current wheel and removable boss. 
 

[Captain Colonial]

What’s the diameter of your existing wheel?  There’s no one best answer, but going from 300mm to 280mm can make a difference, although one has to be careful in that it can narrow the viewing window of the gauges.

[RickRack]

Hi Seb, welcome to Westfield ownership & the club. I see you brought ur’s from Toybox, did you sit/drive any other cars before buying yours? I think there’s no “std” wheel position & there’s a lot of retrofit options - size (diameter) and shape of wheel, detachable/fixed, bosses, spacers, etc - companies like Demon Tweeks sell every type & size. But I’d start with seat position! Are your seat’s adjustable, if so, with wheel off, set seats for your pedal box & a comfortable leg position, then hold the wheel in the ideal position for you. See where that is in comparison to its current fixed position. Then you need to make that distance up with different wheel & spacers. 
Also see your in Shropshire & there’s a number of owners to meet up with to compare alternate set up. Local to you check out Shropshires & Mid Wales @Nic Chase (NICO) - Shropshire & Mid-Wales AO& Black Country @Rhett Turner - Black Country AO  Meetings  - plus if it helps, I’m in Wolves 2 miles from M54 Junc 2 if you wanted to compare my Fixed Momo as in photos. Cheers Phil 

[eggontoast]

@sebdangerfield I have the same wheel boss as you, am 6'2" with lowered floors. I run my adjustable composite seat all the way back to fit in comfortably. 

I fitted a BG 3 bolt spacer to space out my Sparco ~270mm wheel, but for reach rather than knee clearance. With that diameter wheel I surprisingly (to me, as an owner for only 18 months) had little concern for thigh rubbing even with the original setup. Only fairly infrequently and at relatively large lock was there an issue but if you don't have a quick rack like me this might happen more for you. Spacing out the steering wheel towards you will raise it also and give you more thigh room too. 

I mocked up for spacer thickness with some bits of wood and tested sat in a stationary car but still bought a spacer too big. Local engineering firm parted the spacer off to give me some smaller, differently sized options. Bit of an expensive way to get there mind, so do your mocking up better than I did! 

 

The spacer family I got are available in various thicknesses. DT link below as it has them all in one place. Price may be better elsewhere. 

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/b-g-racing-steering-wheel-spacers-3-bolt-990653/?srsltid=AfmBOop5BcAz0sKXfce3pP45u58ZkbjL2prmxXhuXJXclImGI5CuTqMW

[Stuart Davis AO - Devon Cornwall & Somerset]

My ‘not to be recommended’ solution to hitting hands on knees was to remove the seat, sit on a pad and use a 250mm diameter steering wheel 🤪. I have a quick rack too so it can be a little heavy but it works. In summary, nothing to see here, listen to all the other guys 🤣.

[Euan Hoosearmy]

If you buy the BG spacer as per the link above, check if it's available through DT's eBay site as stuff is usually the same price but without postage costs that they charge if you buy direct.

[Mole]

Or if you have a local machine shop..get some aluminium bar and drill three holes on the pitch of steering wheels holes and bolt right through.. make length to suit what you want. Bore out centre if you want ultimate weight saving..

[sebdangerfield]

Thanks all, for the advice and offer of sitting in cars, it's much appreciated. 

 

I'll cut down some cardboard tube to varying length to match the BG spacer sizes and have a sit in the car later and make a purchase form that.

 

The wheel is 300mm so a smaller wheel may also help so I'll play around tonight and see what appears best and report back. 

 

I'll obviously need longer bolts for the thicker spacer, I'm assuming what I have a standard bolts with nylock nuts but it's worth checking with those more knowledgeable to be sure? 

[Captain Colonial]

20 minutes ago, sebdangerfield said:

The wheel is 300mm so a smaller wheel may also help

It will definitely help.  As per @RickRack’s photo, the Team Momo wheel in 280mm is a good choice (I’ve got one as well) due to the size and large top opening to enable easier viewing of the speedo and rev counter.  Beware of fake ones however, avoid buying from eBay, lots cheap and nasty ones out there that would bend if you farted wrong.

 

This will sound silly and I regularly get stick for suggesting it, but if you cut out a 280mm diameter circle out of cardboard and sit in the car with it over (or in place of) the steering wheel, you’ll get some idea of how much it may or may not help before purchasing.

 

 

[Kit Car Electronics and Essex AO]

9 hours ago, sebdangerfield said:

Thanks all, for the advice and offer of sitting in cars, it's much appreciated. 

 

I'll cut down some cardboard tube to varying length to match the BG spacer sizes and have a sit in the car later and make a purchase form that.

 

The wheel is 300mm so a smaller wheel may also help so I'll play around tonight and see what appears best and report back. 

 

I'll obviously need longer bolts for the thicker spacer, I'm assuming what I have a standard bolts with nylock nuts but it's worth checking with those more knowledgeable to be sure? 

 

8mm spacer available here, too: https://blinkstop.co.uk/shop/accessories/FormSpacer_Black

 

For longer screws, I recommend Unbrako 12.9 class M5 available here in cap head, countersunk and button head:  https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/BO-12.9-ScrewBolt-Unbrako-SHBtn-M5.html

 

280-290mm wheels also help without feeling 'too small' (in my opinion)