Problem with Sparco Steering Wheel on S13 (pics)

[keithdigital]

I installed a Sparco Steering Wheel and Hub on my S13 a week ago and noticed a grinding sound when I turn my wheel. I took the wheel off and found this:





You can see the Brass Pin from the steering column is grinding the Horn Ring on the Steering Wheel Hub!!

I can't figure out why?? Anyone?

Thanks.

[gumby74]

The hub is not properly spaced. When you tighten the retaining nut, it fully depresses the pin. There should be a light spring that allows the pin to maintain tension with the brass ring, but you currently are pushing the pin back all the way.

Either find a way to shim the hub a few millimeters or go with a different hub. I had the same problem, and I cured it with an NRG slim hub.

[keithdigital]

You are right. After looking at it for a while I don't think I can use a shim because the whole system relies on a tapered edge. The steering column spline has a taper (conical shape) on it and so does the hub. The hub slides onto the taper and that keeps the hub in place. But I guess my problem is the taper on the steering column spline is slightly worn down and the taper on the Sparco hub is slightly worn down, so the hub is sliding further down then it should.

I am not sure why Nissan didn't use a stepped edge vs a taper...

This will be interesting to see if Sparco will send me a replacement hub....