Steeringwheel questions....

[Hebruins]

In the sticky topic called: mk1a vs mk1b I read the following:

"MK1a steering wheel 2.5" larger than MK1b ( cheers MartG)"

Now I have measured my 86 steeringwheel (mk1a) which is 38cm (15")

Is the mk1b version realy only 12.5" (31.7cm) ?

If so how much harder/heavier is the mk1b steering?

[Hebruins]

No-one with an aftermarket and smaller steeringwheel in their AW11, who can say something about how much heavier it steers?

Of someone with an mk1b for that matter?

[LimeyMk1]

Hiya,

Mk1b ones are certainly not that small. I think it's prob 2.5cm smaller than the Mk1a.

I have a smaller Momo steering wheel on my mk1, it's 320mm diameter. From what I remember the steering was a little heavier but nothing significant between the stock Mk1b one I had on.

Cassi has a 300mm steering wheel and it's fine, a bit weighty when doing a 3 point turn but fine when moving.

[Ben]

Yep, IMO the Mk1a and Mk1b steering wheels are both too big. I had a Momo wheel fitted, can't remember the size but it was a bit smaller than my Mk1b wheel and made a lot of difference. So much more "point and shoot" feel to the steering, but the weight when parking etc was still not too bad as the front end is pretty light

[un1eash]

I have a 320mm D shape OMP wheel and along with 195 tyres the steering is quite heavy at low speeds. As mentioned before though it gives it a more sporty point and shoot feel at speed.

[AdrianS]

I also have a 320mm OD d-shaped wheel (sparco) which came with the car.
I like it - gives a very direct feel, and although the steering is heavy at parking speeds on 195 tyres, it's no big deal; you shouldn't really be forcing the steering at standstill anyway.

[Jim-SR]

ive got a 280mm wheel, mounted on a 3" hub extension, with 195/45/16 tyres. the steering is fairly heavy at car park speeds, but as soon as youre moving its not that noticeable.

the one thing that may bother you is the sensitivity at higher speeds. you hit a bump at 70mph and its hard work to keep the steering straight. you have to concentrate a lot harder, and exert a lot more force on the wheel at all times. that probably sounds dangerous in the way ive written it, but its really not. you just cant afford to be lazy and rest one arm on the centre console, or relax your grip. you have to actually "drive" the car at all times.

the stock mk1b wheel is fairly effortless by comparison. ive got no intentions to swap out my tiny wheel anytime soon, ive been using it on my last 2 MR2's, for about 2-3 years now.

[D]

Off
I'm using the oem mk1b wheel on my mk1b.
Setup:
> New poly bush set
> 5-way adjustable Tociko shocks
> oem topmounts
> TRD springs, actually there wasn't any lowering I think
> whiteline 18 front 20 rear adj. ARB
> New ball joints
> New Droplinks
> yoko as01 195/50 r15rubber
> Quiafe QSR
> -1 camber

At parking, it's hard, but you can done it easily, without any problems.
At the road, perfect.
On the track, it's too hard. I'm not too strong, so after 20minutes, when i get out of the car, i always realize that i pi$$ed on myself . Means all the water from my body came out through my skin . At the end of the day, i know that i could be faster, but my arm's cant do what say to them. So I'm thinking about a power steering now (a guy used an ignis ps, on his ae86 he told me it was perfect for tracking, but he used it for drift, then it died. He using now a yaris ps its working good but he told me he don't feel anything now ), but i don't want to loose the natural feeling. So i will go to the gym . OR i will buy a steering wheel from a KAMAZ.
I'm really looking forward to my new r888 tires, I'm really sure i will die soon on a racetrack .

But I'm really sure the qsr was one of the best upgrade on the car. It's superb. I like to bleed

I should use smaller king-pin inclination. But until i don't have adjustable top mount. It's impossible for me.
On

I'll measure the mk1b soon.

[Hebruins]

Thx guys, that's some helpfull answers and tips for me.

The steeringwheel I have my eye on, turned out the be 37cm (a used momo). So it should hardly be a difference I guess.

I drive on 205/45/16 tyres at the moment and ain't planning on going smaller (seeing most of you guys drive on 195 or smaller so it seems) In fact, I'm planning on going to 17" with 205 or maybe 215 tyres...

[un1eash]

Good luck with the 17's alot of people find they rub and ruin the handling if the cars been lowered.

[Clarky_X]

I wouldn't use 17s on a Mk1. I originally had a 320mm Momo wheel from previous owner but just found it annoying that I couldn't see the tops of the dials or the indicator lights. Weight was fine though on 195/50/15 tyres.

I now have a 350mm suede Momo only a few months old but as a daily driver the hand positions have flattened and become smooth (need to wear track gloves to stop sweating on the wheel).

Main thing for me is my rack is knackered, it has a lot of play, so I have to put a new rack in. Options are new Toyota, very expensive, SH rack, may not last long, or Quaife quick rack, but only the rack and pinion are supplied and they need fitting into the rack housing, probably a tough job as the bearing needs to come out. But still, quick rack is what I'm going for.

Good luck with your purchase, as you can see, size doesn't really matter that much, it's all down to taste, I think tyre width makes most difference. My old Mk1 ran on stock 185/14 and was lighter than the 195/15.

[AdrianS]

... I originally had a 320mm Momo wheel from previous owner but just found it annoying that I couldn't see the tops of the dials or the indicator lights...

You are right about the gauges; here's my solution for the indicator lights: leds in the steering wheel surround

[pantera2075]

A bit tangential, - but the mini guys fit a Corsa "C" electric power column if the steering gets too heavy after an engine conversion - just a thought.

[Clarky_X]

As Paul Woods has now done to good effect it sounds. And not heavy either.