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Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 4:28 pm
by acoster
I managed to get a plus2 steering wheel without the horn push mount to replace the one that was fitted to my Elan +2. From RD diagram it looks like I need a Clip to fit under the steering wheel securing nut and the surround that holds the horn push (located by the spring clip), but the diagram is not too clear. I have the lotus emblem horn push from my current wheel already.

1. Am I right? If not what do I need?
2. Any idea where I can get these items?

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:32 pm
by Jason1
SJ SportsCars have this:

CLIP, HORN PUSH to WHEEL
This will only fit the earliest +2 models. SJ036H0005 EACH 8.62

What is the chassis number and I will look in the Parts Manual?

Jason

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:51 pm
by Jason1
Hi

The Parts Manual seems to suggest the clip above is for all +2 but there is not one on mine.

See the pics below. My horn switch is on the end of the indicator stalk like the Cortina and the centre horn/badge is kept in the steering wheel by the cooper clip shown on the right of the pic.

Jason

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:11 am
by acoster
Jason - thanks for pics (again). Thats the clip I need, but I also need the part that fits over the clip. Maybe SJ sports can hlep with that... I have the horn push like your 0433.jpg pic.
Here is the wheel
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290767308919? ... 500wt_1251

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 8:25 am
by types26/36
I think this thread shows what you need for that type of steering wheel and I dont think you need the three legged clip with that.
elan-f14/sprint-horn-push-t13924.html

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 12:22 pm
by acoster
Ahhh that makes sense - so I don't need the spring clip just the plastic horn surround with square hole, although looks tight to fit nut over this... The search continues...

Jason - by the way I am 08/61

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 7:34 pm
by Jason1
Jason - thanks for pics (again).


No worries happy to help.

Does your horn have the copper clip like mine? Because that is what holds mine in. I do not have a 3 pronged clip on mine.

Jason

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:51 pm
by mac5777
Hi all, I have restored a few Springall wood wheels and here is what was on my original wheel. The only thing that is missing is the nut and of course the wood rim. The back of the horn push does not have a plug in connection, it uses a spring loaded horn pencil to make the connection. See the attaches photo with all of the parts.
It looks like Jason's horn picture from the backside.
Sarto

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:20 am
by acoster
Will check the horn push at the weekend - i expect it to have the spring clip.
I don't think mine is same as yours Mac, but same as Jasons (without the expensive signature).
Still need to find the bit that the horn fits into....

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 10:15 am
by mac5777
AC, here are more pics of what mine looks like. Jason's wheel looks like it has the hole for the pencil connector and may just need the pencil and the clip but Jason says it is not needed on that wheel???
It may be a different setup than I have seen before. In my photos, it shows the two parts that sandwich the metal spokes. The raised part holds the horn and is just pressed in. Jason's horn push shows, on the back side, a copper tension spring and is what secures the horn in place. A nut secures the wheel to the splined steering shaft. The clip attaches to the horn push and the pencil make the electrical contact.
If your wheel looks like Jason's and his horn push looks like mine, maybe the horn just is pressed into what is showing in his wheel? All this may not apply to your type wheel but there seems to be pieces that are similar.
Sarto

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 12:08 pm
by acoster
the hole for the pencil is not an issue since like Jason's mine has horn through indicator stalk button (forgot to say that).
I found you can buy what I am after for ?200 original Springalex wheel centre or ?75 replica... guess that's why I got the wheel cheap!
Maybe I'll start making a cheap replica version for less than ?75 and make my fortune. Or wait for an autojumble....

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 6:01 pm
by MMO597L
I have one of said original Springalex horn push with original lotus badge. I was going to auction it with a Springalex NOS leather wheel and the anodised 3x 4 hole spokes. I could consider a decent offer... The horn push straight ahead view is nigh on blemish free - the palstic at the sides is clearly been in use and would benefit from some elbow grease and T cut or whatever.

I cant get an image posted but if you pm your email I'll attach a couple.

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 11:52 am
by MMO597L
This needs clarifying:
Acoster, you have a boss on that wheel that doesn't use a Lucas push - it takes a Springall push and centre. The pics the guys have shown for the Lucas push have a different boss, same as earlier Elan ones.

So to use your horn push youll need a different boss behind the wheel and horn push holder in front, spring clip with 3 legs & pencil per pics above - and maybe some elbow grease.

If you are dead keen to have the Lucas push and assuming you want it to look reasonably right, I think that wheel can be made to fit on the elan boss, assuming you can find one, but I'm not clear how much work is involved. I think the round plate with the square hole has to come off? If so it'll be removal of the boss, easy 3 screws; then the removal of 6 off iron rivets, taking care not to damage the spokes.

Edit: Looking at Sarto pics I've realised that your wheel CAN'T be made to fit the Elan boss as the holes won' t line up - the Sarto boss holes are equispaced, but the type you have aren't.

Alternately you need Springall hornpush & centre. I've seen the pushes ocasionally, but not seen a Springall Lotus centre come up - can they be got?

If you are happy for it to be 'wrong' then all you need is the Springall push w/o centre which will take the Lucas push as a 'dummy' maybe with some hidden double sided tape as it's a sloppy fit.

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 6:52 pm
by mac5777
Hi again, Let me add two more pictures to my other pics that show how the spokes are split in the center on an original Stringall wood wheel. Maybe with the photos, will aid in the idea of modifying the other style wheel with the horn push type.
Sarto

Re: Steering Wheel fitting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 7:16 pm
by MMO597L
mac5777 wrote:Hi again, Let me add two more pictures to my other pics that show how the spokes are split in the center on an original Stringall wood wheel. Maybe with the photos, will aid in the idea of modifying the other style wheel with the horn push type.
Sarto

Hi Sarto Few questions:
Is that the same as the Elan boss & horn holder on the circular holed spoked wheel?
Does it fit Mk1 Lotus Cortina, too?
Can that boss & horn push holder be got in the US?

Actually I should ask if they can be bought in the UK, too?

Help appreciated.
PS Lovely wheel. :mrgreen: