Elan Quick Release Steering Wheel

[type26owner]

Installed the steering wheel this morning in 45 minutes without any problems. The splined hub fit the Triumph Spitfire steering column perfectly. The wheel moved towards me by an 1 inch as measured on the backside to the dash. The horn worked first try. I'll have to find a Lotus Emblem horn button that fits this Momo steering wheel. At this point I can highly recommend this setup. I'm most pleased with this well designed and well made Canadian product.

[mct340]

Hi Keith,
I just ordered one of these for my Sprint autocrosser along with a tekniqauto hub thanks to the research you did. Looking forward to many FTD's.
Regards,
Mike

<a href='http://www.sparcousa.com/psteering_comp.asp?id=452' target='_blank'>http://www.sparcousa.com/psteering_comp.asp?id=452</a>
<a href='http://www3.telus.net/public/miketodd/auto%20c.jpg' target='_blank'>http://www3.telus.net/public/miketodd/auto%20c.jpg</a>

[type26owner]

Hi Mike,
Nice car! Well the new steering wheel on my 26 has been track tested and it passed with flying colors. Definitely going to buy the racing version Tekniq hub and retrofit onto the 41's original steering wheel.
-Keith

[type26owner]

Hey Mike,
What wheels do you have on your car?

[mct340]

Keith,
Great new web format,eh? Thanks to whoever is responsible.

The make of the wheels is unknown to me. I bought them from a guy in Toronto about 20 years ago. They are 5.5"X13 knockoff mags.
Someone asked if they were Maglite wheels but I can't find any stampings on them. They require an adapter to be threaded onto the original hub which increases the track.

Anyone out there know anything about this?

Mike

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

To me they look very much as though they are the British made "Revolution" wheels. I'm not sure if tthe company is still in business.
Regards
John.

[type26owner]

Hi Mike,
Got around to readjusting the LHD steering column away from me to where the steering wheel was originally and ran into a snag. The safety clamp that allows the column to slide away from you in the event of a collision will foul the clutch mechanism if pushed down too far down. I machined down the areas on the clamp where the bolts heads projected up by 5mm because they were what was doing the fouling. Problem is I did it with a sharp cornered endmill and left a stress riser just like Caroll Smith tells you not to do. Guess what happened when I cinched up the assembly? Turns out the U-shaped piece is cast iron and it broke. If I had know that it would have been replaced with a steel one a long time ago. The steel replacement piece I made yesterday fit okay with a couple of millimeters of clearance to the clutch linkage. When you get to the same point you've been forewarned.

[mct340]

Thanks Keith. Sitting here at the computer I have no idea what you are talking about. I haven't received my hub yet and now you've got me going. A cast clamp under there, huh? Consider mine gone as well.

John was right. The wheels are Revolution mags. Sure hope I dont crack one 'cause they are pretty hard to find. Cast, by the way......
Mike

[type26owner]

Mike,
Don't sweat it until you've mounted up your new hub and wheel. You might like the new position and not need to reposition the steering column. Dive down into the footbox head first and you'll see a 2-1/2" square looking bracket on the steering column just by the pedals. It will spin when you turn the steering wheel. That's the clamp that I broke. Be careful because I found the interference the hardway. I was driving the car and turned hard right and the steering partially jammed. Yikes!

I found a US rep for the Revolution wheels but they didn't respond to my email. They mention the KO version for the Elan on their website though. I'll try calling them tomorrow. Those wheels have the right look for the Elan IMHO.

[mct340]

Keith,
I see what you mean about that clamp. I don't suppose you made 2 of the darned things, did you? Perhaps I could trade for something you could use....
Mike

[type26owner]

Mike,
Oh poo! I threw the broken pieces into the trash yesterday. Perhaps I should generate a drawing. Give me a few days and I'll make you one up. Send me your snail mail address offline.

You'll have to shorten the bolts you have by 1/4" or replace them.