Grant Steering Wheel Installation

fast_xr4@yahoo.com · Post by **fast_xr4@yahoo.com** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:52 am

I bought a Grant steering wheel from Summit Racing with the euro adapter part number grt-6534 ($44.39). Installed in about 30 minutes. It is a 21mm bolt best removed with a 1/2" breaker bar. I didn't use a steering wheel extracter. I'm not sure how that would work with our foam rubber steering wheel. I just yanked hard on it a few times. Be careful not to pull the ignition switch with the wheel. Unlocking the column helped once it was loose. I wasn't able to use the factory horn pieces. I expect I'll just order a horn button as well as a few other buttons for the steering wheel.

I couldn't believe how well the kit fits with the stock plastic column covers. This steering wheel is 13" in diameter as opposed to 15" and a few pounds lighter than the factory steering wheel.

Mike McCreight · Post by **Mike McCreight** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:10 am

Looks good!
Just a note to add for those removing the wheel...
Unlock the steering first! (I learned this the hard way.....

)
Mike.

Post by **John Brennan** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 1:07 pm

Does it obscure your view of the gauges at all?

Greenturbo · Post by **Greenturbo** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 6:50 pm

how much closer to the driver is it than the stock wheel?

Post by **jasonty** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:05 pm

im not sure exactly, but you can add 1 or more spacers w/ the grant hub to make it real close if you wish.

Greenturbo wrote:how much closer to the driver is it than the stock wheel?

fast_xr4@yahoo.com · Post by **fast_xr4@yahoo.com** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 2:29 pm

3 inches closer probably which is nice for spirited driving.

I can't see as much of the tach as would like (stock location 4" summit)especially with my hands at 10 and 2. I've never watch it much anyway. I can barely glance at the boost and LM1 a/f let alone watch rpms. It doesn't obscure my boost, a/f, water temp, oil pressure, egt, voltage or oil temp

I've got corbeau fixed back seats and I'm 6 feet tall. Right now I am using the factory seat bracket but plan to get the corbeau bracket for some weight savings. My legs are a little cramped too so I'm hoping the new bracket will give me some room.

turbofan · Post by **turbofan** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:52 pm

would that adapter work with one of those auto zone steering wheels? i had wondered what kind of adapter would be necessary....

nice install, looks great!

Post by **jasonty** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:01 pm

if its the same bolt pattern

turbofan wrote:would that adapter work with one of those auto zone steering wheels? i had wondered what kind of adapter would be necessary....

nice install, looks great!

boostfiend · Post by **boostfiend** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 9:53 pm

Looks too small, and out of place in a Merkur.

Edit: I just think it'd look better with a 14 inch, not the dinky 13.

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:40 pm

Looks about right - it'll be a lot better once you get the horn situation figured out.

I've got a Grant GT wheel in my car, but I didn't use any kind of adapter. Instead, I hacked apart a stock wheel (it was in POOR condition) and extracted the "hub" from its center. Using the included wheel spacer piece as a template, I drilled and tapped three holes in the "hub" and secured the two with some bolts. I haven't really got any detailed shots of the adapter parts, but there's really nothing to see... looks pretty much like a simple aluminum disc adapter plate at a glance.

For the horn, I just kinda probed around and figured out which two wires needed connecting, then extended them and ran them up to the Grant's horn button.

Sorry for the lack of specifics... it's been almost three years since my installation.

EDIT: Just ran out to the garage and got a few pictures - you can kinda get the jist of what's going on... check it out:

Colin

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:56 pm

In that straight-on pic, I tried to hold the camera in such a way that it would illustrate my point-of-view while driving. Notice how the area between ~65 and ~80 is blocked. A slight neck bend to the right is necessary to check the speed in that region, but then again I'm 6'4"... and I generally fly right past that area on the speedometer.

Colin

BeefFajitas · Post by **BeefFajitas** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:48 am

Colin, does the smaller steering wheel help with leg clearance? I'm 6'2" and I was always annoyed with having my legs crammed into the wheel. I'm hoping an extension and a smaller wheel will give me a little more room.

Post by **John Brennan** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:01 pm

They make "D" wheels, too. I know Russ at least used to carry one or two. Give him a jingle:

http://www.rapidogroup.com/

Colin · Post by **Colin** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:50 pm

BeefFajitas wrote:Colin, does the smaller steering wheel help with leg clearance? I'm 6'2" and I was always annoyed with having my legs crammed into the wheel. I'm hoping an extension and a smaller wheel will give me a little more room.

Yeah, it definitely helps! That stupidly large stock wheel was always right on my legs, but no longer.

Colin

wesvailco · Post by **wesvailco** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:47 pm

since we're all showin' off....