telescoping wheel

[Varinn]

So, I've been driving an e30 for a little over a year and a half now and had gotten fully accustomed to cramming myself against the dash to reach the steering wheel. I'm 6'3" tall, and though its not hideously uncomfortable ALL the time, driving my friend's e34 m5 made me realize there is room for improvement. Has anyone ever considered or tried any methods for doing this? I believe the steering shaft is splined and held in place with a locknut, is it possible to adjust the position of this??

[george graves]

sub'ed

[Stephen]

i woul just cut the shaft and reweld it at an angle

[Varinn]

I don't want an angle, I want length. From my searches on realOEM I found a few things.

The lower shaft DOES have a locknut that clamps it down on the splined shaft (#1), assuming there is space available would pulling the outer shaft further to the end of the splines let you effectively slide the entire steering column towards the driver seat? A one or two inch pull back could make a world of difference for any of us giants.


I'll look closer tomorrow when it's light out and see if such an adjustment is possible, or if the locknut is only there to let it line up the u-joints at the correct point. (due to intersecting at different angles)

[Ian Bowers]

I think the telescoping portion is more for the steering rack/linkage associated, and loosening that nut wouldn't change the steering wheel's placement. I think the solution for moving the wheel back, if you don't mind a non-oe style wheel, is a Momo/Sparco/OMP wheel adapter, with a spacer. It's how I've moved mine back.

[george graves]

Yea, but some of us would like to keep an (mt2) oem wheel.

I think it would be great to slide the whole steering column, covers, lock and stalks and inch back would make the world of difference for us guys with long....er....legs.

[Ian Bowers]

Yea, but some of us would like to keep an (mt2) oem wheel.

I think it would be great to slide the whole steering column, covers, lock and stalks and inch back would make the world of difference for us guys with long....er....legs.

Oh no, I totally agree. I'm 6'ish and have 38" legs, I have to sit like a midget to have the wheel feel right. I went with the Momo hub adapter, Sparco wheel, and will soon be spacing it back further. I much prefer an MT2, though.

[Varinn]

That's exactly my situation to Graves, I had a mint condition MOMO race in the car before and made the conscious effort to trade it for an MT1. I want my interior to be clean, I've even considered ordering one of the "relatively cheap" upper spindles, or getting one from a junkyard and throwing it in the lathe/mill at work, cutting it in half and machining a lock collar that would let me extend it by an inch or two.

[325ix]

Could you modify an E34 shaft to fit in the E30? Then you would have the adjustment. I would think it would mostly be a matte of making the E34 column attach the the E30 rack.

[lbreevesii]

I'm in the same boat, 6'4".. The problem with just extending the shaft somewhere(unless i'm not following somewhere) is that you end up with a gap between the column and the wheel, and potentially you would loose contact for the horn button.

[jlevie]

Moving an OE wheel back is going to be more than just extending the steering shaft. The horn slip ring and turn signal cancel lug are part of the wheel. Moving the wheel back will make those inop. That isn't a problem with an aftermarket wheel and adapter since the adapter, which mounts in the stock location, provides those functions and any spacer goes between the wheel and the adapter.

[E30SPDFRK]

The upper column has a bracket that attaches to the supports under the dash. If you could make a bracket that is still strong and can move the mounting points back, I don't see anything else (except possibly the wiring) preventing you from moving it. You just need to make sure that there is enough length to the lower shaft.


It's worth mentioning too that airbag cars are the only ones with a telescoping lower shaft.