steering wheel conversion

[jbottini]

hello all, i wish to convert my MKIV to a nardi type steering wheel. Who has done it, what brand , pn's , adapters needed? thanks jin

[SB7019]

Steering assembly on the MkIV was from a Ford (Europe) Granada/Scorpio, though the boss design is the same as the March 87 and onwards Ford Sierra.  Not sure what the Nardi adaptor would be but the one for a Mota-Lita (with 9 exposed screw fitment as opposed to the 6 screw split system on the Mk2/3) is Mota-Lita Steering Wheel Boss KIt No B61B.  Mota-Lita web site is www.mota-lita.co.uk       Europa Spares in the UK can supply these.

[twogreens]

jbottini,
   I have a '93 MkIV which was fitted with the black leather covered wheel.  Last year I converted it to a wooden Mota Lita wheel - its all down to personal taste but I think it suits the car better than the Nardi wooden wheel.  The guys at Mota Lita were incredibly helpful.  My car has a 6-screw boss which they told me came from the Ford RS2000 Escort.  They were then kind enough to make me a Mk2 pattern wheel to fit the Escort boss.   They did a great job and I can't recommend them strongly enough.
   
   Regards
   Two Greens

[westcott]

I know this is a old thread but have some more detailed questions regarding early chassis numbers with the Rover SD1 column switches and switch cover.
   I would like to convert a early car from Moto Lita to Nardi. The column itself is splined (not hex like the later cars) and has a Moto Lita boss numbered B 18 and looks like Ford and not Rover.
   
   Are the steering column tube and the steering spindle from different cars merged together ?? Or is the column assembly completely taken over from Rover SD1?
   
   Has anybody converted a early car with splined steering spindle/shaft from Moto Lita to Nardi using a Nardi wheel and boss or was a adapter used to mount the Nardi wheel to the Moto Lita boss?

[westcott]

As a fast solution i ordered a adapter from Moto Lita to Nardi this morning but I'm still interested in a individual boss for a Nardi steering wheel on early MK IV spline. The adapter is about 40€ incl. shipping and available via every good steering wheel  shop.
   
   Uwe

[French Frie]

sorry to hijack the thread (but it was initiated by the PO of AK1113, so I'm half forgiven ;) !), but I do want to replace the steering wheel of mine too, as I still have a Moto-lita MK3 large slot from my previous 289 replica...
   
   BTW, it's the only mod I want to do on the MKIV at the moment (potential engine improvements aside), as I assume it is best to keep it the way it was launched, with its MKIV specifications.
   
   anyway, could someone tell me if such a moto-lita (not a Nardi) will fit the original boss (as I unterstand the black leather steering wheel is already a Motolita) ?
   
   thanks
   
   Olivier
   
   EDITED : also to be more precise, is it a 9 or 6  bolt SW ?

[westcott]

Oliver, what kind of boss is mounted to your car, hex or splined ??

[French Frie]

Uwe, I just can't tell, as the car is not in my possession already ... but maybe Jbottini or someone else could ? it's a may 86 car...

[French Frie]

update: I checked on car, and my column is the hex type, and the boss is the 6 bolt one ... So, i would go to a 15" Motolita, but the concern is that the column, even at its highest setting, is damn low and a 15" may foul legs. I assume 14" wheel would be less cute ... does anybody has a picture of a 14" wooden wheel on a MKIV to compare ?
   
   thanks !

[SB7019]

Olivier.  Have sent you an e mail regarding photos.
   
   My car was left the factory with a 14 inch Mota-Lita.  I found this looked and felt a bit small so swapped it for a 15 inch one from another car I had.  Did not regret the change and, despite being quite large    (1.85 metres and 98 kilos),  I have not had any problems with fouling my legs when the steering column is at it's highest setting.

[French Frie]

some update... the boss that is on the car will not accept the flat "AC" center, as the column and  nut assembly is longer than the boss thickness. So, I assume  I also have to change the boss  for a thicker one.
   if someone has the 6 bolt Moto-lita SW on an hex column, could you please let me know what is the boss origin & #, and what is the hole diameter (where the Ac center fit in) ?
   
   thanks !

[Superarnie Mk2]

Hi French Frie,
   
   I bought a package of parts from John Own (AC Cars) a few years ago to finish the build on my Superblower. Amongst the parts was a steering wheel boss with a hex sectioned hole to mount on the column (of a Granada steering shaft?). I have no use for it as I have gone a differenet way. The boss is for a six hole wheel. Let me know if this is likely to help you and if so I'll post it off to you.
   
   
   
   
   
   Regards
   
   Gary

[French Frie]

Many thanks, Gary, it maybe useful, indeed ! Especially because, on Luke (AK1161)'s advice, I asked Moto-Lita for recommendations, and they told me that no other boss than mine (they called it the Ford Sport boss) could be fitted ! They offered to drill  the new wheel to match my boss as well to accept the plain AC center, but said they can't provide any other boss...
   
   So your boss looks like it can match the two criterias, Gary... Let's continue the discussion by mp [:)] .