Hey gang,

Looking into getting my steering wheel closer to me. Patient in question is a '85 928S. I've heard of the extended steering wheel option from Porsche. Sounds like it gets the steering wheel about 1.5-2" closer.

How much difference does that make? I'm 6'5", and I have seat all the way down, and waay back, can just barely reach the wheel. Need to figure out something.

How about aftermarket steering wheels? I spoke to Rixter and he recommended looking into aftermarket like Momo or Grant to see what they offer, and he also mentioned the Club Sport 993 wheel might be an option.

And I have heard of another 928 owner that had a spendy custom made hub extender fabricated.

So, any tips, especially from the extra tall crowd, would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

Ed

 

I have a Momo wheel with their extender in my 85. Fits fine, makes it easier to reach when seat is back for helmet clearance. Also keeps you from hitting the signals and wipers when flailing away on an autocross course...

 

At 6'6" and 36" sleeve & inseam, I find the steering wheel position to be just fine - I suspect that the absence of a sunroof ( increased headroom) permits a better seat back angle, providing the best cockpit of any cars I've driven; however, with a sunroof, there is some compromise to be made in finding a drivable position. It takes me a while to squirm and mold into shape when driving a sunroof car - but it's still better that most other rides ...
I've seen Momo advertise a 25mm or so hub extender - which may help.

 

My 89 has the extended hub. I can sell it to you if you would like. 100 dollars including the original steering wheel.

 

That is a GREAT deal !

 

I have the extended hub, I think it's 30mm. Big difference from the standard wheel. The more you stare at the stock 928 wheel, the better a 930 wheel starts to look... It's a little dated.

 

I took the Burgundy Extended hub wheel off my '86.5, much prefer the 930 Sport wheel. But then I'm a bit more vertically challenged than you are.

Swap interiors with me and it yours!

I'm surprised Heinrich doesn't have a spare one in his parts warehouse....

I think Adam has an AJ USA 930 Sport that requires an adapter, which extends the wheel out closer to the driver. Be another option.

 

I put in a quick release between my Momo steering wheel, and the Momo adapter. It adds about 1", which is just right for me with the wheel I have. (I used the QR for about a week, to impress the neighbors. )

The other option which I considered was one of the deep dish Momo wheels.

Joe F. has an extended hub factory SW, in his garage, IIRC.

 

I'm surprised to hear this. I'm 6'1", and have to try to find 35 inch shirts [good luck...].

I don't have any trouble at all fitting in my car; I could probably wear an old-fashioned "top hat" too if you want to get specific!

The questions that come to mind are "how do you prefer to sit in an automobile?" and "Is your seated position proper?" Vic Elford states in his driving manual that he prefers a seating position where he sees the road as best as possible, and this apparently is quite high. When I fly my 747 on my work days, I put the seat up all the way despite my height because I find I can land better with none of the windshield wipers or intrument panel in my way. But my 928...I keep the rear adjustment of the seat at the lowest setting, the front adjustment at nearly the highest, and the back is about where it looks correct- an angle, but I'm not sitting behind the "B" pillar either. I have a weak back, and this position feels the best, and I can actuate the steering wheel and pedals the way that Vic describes. I suggest finding your way to Barnes & Noble and look up "Porsche High-Performance Driving Handbook" by Elford if you don't own it already.

N!

 

Hi Ed,

My 88 had the extended steering wheel.

It is a factory option

Option # 018 - SPORTS STEERING WHEEL WITH ELEVATED HUB -30MM

Here it is:






Now for the bad news. I don't think that it is a separate piece per say. On my wheel, it was factory attached to the bottom of my stock wheel. I then became the part with the spline for the steering column. Once removed from the wheel, the wheel became useless. So if you want this part, you will need the wheel it came from.

I removed mine and had it machined to accommodate 3 new bolts so I could upgrade to the later airbag wheel.

BTW, if you are looking for a replacement wheel with this extension, also look at the 944 as well. The wheels are the same though airbag wheels will not fit the regular wheel shaft.

Cheers,
Michael

 

Hey Garth,

That is my exact scenario. I think I may actually be closer to 6'6", but I've been shrinking over time.

I have to mold myself into the car. And its not terrible, I just know with some simple mods like a steering wheel extender, maybe take some foam out of the seat bottom, I'll be fine.

And of course, I think I'm in the hunt for a S4 5 speed without a sunroof, now that I've been bitten by the 928 bug hard. Just don't have the money for one. Ha ha...

I'll look into that Momo setup. They have some sweet steering wheels, so that may work.

Thanks!

Ed

ps: You're in Nova Scotia eh? My mother was born and raised on Cape Breton Island, and my father's parents are from there as well. Spent many a summer vacation there as a kid and will be taking my kids there for the first time this summer to visit their grandmother.

 

That's a kind offer. PM sent. -Ed

 

Heinrich thought he had an extended one for me, but the one he has doesn't have the hub, and is a slightly different color. He did offer to take my original wheel off my hands for one of his projects if I find a replacement. What a guy!

So, Shane, are you saying that you have an extended wheel in my interior color, that you are not using? Am I misunderstanding, or are you really holding out on me?

 

Hey Norm, thanks for the feedback, and I will check out that book as I am definitely interested in learning how to drive (and unlearning all my bad habits) and would like to get out on the track for some fun days and maybe some autocrossing.

And it sounds like my seating position is very similar to yours. Back part of the seat bottom all the way down, front part of the bottom up a bit, seat back adjusted at an angle that allows my melon to fit in the car.

Regarding the question of how do I prefer to sit in the car, its not really an issue, because at my height, there is only one way to sit in the car, preference doesn't enter the picture! There is little to no adjustment involved (ask Heinrich, he saw me fold myself into it when I test drove it and picked it up from him).

If the seat back is not tilted way back, I'm not fitting in the car, its as simple as that. In order to give myself any headroom, that's what I have to do. And my hair actually scraps on the headliner. Its a bit annoying.

Anyway, by the time I have the seat setup to where I can fit my head in, and still reach the pedals, my knees are just about against the dash, my head is just about against the headliner, and my arms are pretty much straight out.

So, a steering wheel that is 2-4 inches closer to me would be a god-send.

Later when I am wiser and wealthier, I will find a sweet S4 5 speed without a sunroof and I will be much better off.

And btw, this in not only an issue with the 928, same thing with just about every car that I drive.

Ed

 

A guy could get that impression yeah!

See that is where it sits now-->


Lets talk, I was planning on keeping it for....dunno, keepsakes I guess. But you are in more need then I am. I will only use the 930 S from now on.