Hub to Steering Wheel Matches

[KeppelmanJ]

I have a new Beta steering wheel hub which inspite of my efforts and Omicron's doesn't match the screw pattern of an apparently obscure Sandro Munari wheel I'd like to use. The hub looks like it's drilled for at least two wheel patterns and I'm tempted to rotate the wheel on the hub a few degrees and redrill and tap a new pattern, making myself a new top mark on the hub accordingly. Anyone see a problem with doing that? Anything extra to keep in mind? Thanks...

[1,6 HF]

The only potential problem would be if the new holes are too close to the old ones, and don't leave much supporting metal on one side. But even in that case, you could fill the old holes with epoxy.

[KeppelmanJ]

Thanks, Ed. I'll be careful about the holes. There's lots of aluminum between existing holes as long as it doesn't matter if I reorient the hub some.

[1,6 HF]

Johnny,

If it's anything like mine, the hub is splined, but not keyed, which means you can put it on in any orientation. If that's the case, I'd say you shouldn't have any problem whatsoever.

I would recommend, however, that you check the alignment on the car by straightening the wheels, dry-fitting the hub, and dry-fitting (tape maybe?) the wheel to mark for the new holes rather than doing in on a bench. That way you'll be sure that the wheel won't be off by a half spline when it's in the straight-ahead position.

[KeppelmanJ]

Good plan. I was figuring on something like that. The thing I also want to check is near/far. The wheel I have is 5 inches from mating surface to leather wheel edge. Is that going to be too close? Can't tell without puting it all in place, I guess. Can't exactly tell where the splines are with the stock wheel and hub in place