Fitted a 997 Steering wheel
02-08-2009, 06:10 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Fitted a 997 Steering wheel
Hi chaps
I just thought you might be interested in my latest project:
I've been looking for a new steering wheel for ages. I wanted something a
bit different and was looking for Tiptronic controls built-in so that later
on I could devise a way of linking up the switches.
There are lots of posts which say that one steering wheel or another won't
fit... So I thought 'what the hell' and went for one I knew wouldn't fit and
then work from there.
In the end I purchase a new 997 wheel without an airbag from eBay. First of
I set about fabricating a cover to replace the airbag. Initially I tried
fibreglass covered in leather, but I just couldn't get the level of finish I
was after. In the end I carved a piece of MDF into the correct shape.
The Porsche badge was from a keyring (it's smaller than the proper 997 one).
I bought a 964 hub adapter off of eBay as well thinking I could use the
spline/socket, with a little modification, to attached the new wheel to the
964 steering shaft. Unfortunately, although it looked correct, it wouldn't
fit the original shaft.
So, I removed the original wheels hub with a hacksaw and filed it's face
smooth leaving the protruding 35mm diameter spline hole. I then enlarged the
997 wheel's hole so that this protrusion would fit very tightly inside.
To anchor the two faces together I drilled through both plates in three
points and bolted them together (these bolt heads are hidden from view in
the photos under the plastic covering ring). Locking nuts hold each one from
the inside. Finally, I cut the original rubber shaft cover down to size and
fitted that over the original hub.
Stage 2 of this project will be getting the buttons to work with the
gearbox... I have a cunning plan.
Rich
I just thought you might be interested in my latest project:
I've been looking for a new steering wheel for ages. I wanted something a
bit different and was looking for Tiptronic controls built-in so that later
on I could devise a way of linking up the switches.
There are lots of posts which say that one steering wheel or another won't
fit... So I thought 'what the hell' and went for one I knew wouldn't fit and
then work from there.
In the end I purchase a new 997 wheel without an airbag from eBay. First of
I set about fabricating a cover to replace the airbag. Initially I tried
fibreglass covered in leather, but I just couldn't get the level of finish I
was after. In the end I carved a piece of MDF into the correct shape.
The Porsche badge was from a keyring (it's smaller than the proper 997 one).
I bought a 964 hub adapter off of eBay as well thinking I could use the
spline/socket, with a little modification, to attached the new wheel to the
964 steering shaft. Unfortunately, although it looked correct, it wouldn't
fit the original shaft.
So, I removed the original wheels hub with a hacksaw and filed it's face
smooth leaving the protruding 35mm diameter spline hole. I then enlarged the
997 wheel's hole so that this protrusion would fit very tightly inside.
To anchor the two faces together I drilled through both plates in three
points and bolted them together (these bolt heads are hidden from view in
the photos under the plastic covering ring). Locking nuts hold each one from
the inside. Finally, I cut the original rubber shaft cover down to size and
fitted that over the original hub.
Stage 2 of this project will be getting the buttons to work with the
gearbox... I have a cunning plan.
Rich
02-08-2009, 09:01 PM
#3
Not sure how I like the look in the 964, however I really appreciate the effort and success of your project. Judging from the progress you've already shown, I would expect you'll have the TIP buttons hooked-up in no time. Thanks for taking the time to document the process.
02-08-2009, 11:08 PM
#4
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Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Wow, that's very impressive work. As impressed as I am however I have to say that I can't understand putting anything really non-period on these cars, it seems such a shame. When I see those cars on Ebay with lots of modern parts on what would have been a classic car I cringe.
Not to take anything away from the effort though its a great job.
Not to take anything away from the effort though its a great job.
02-09-2009, 12:01 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
'Tis indeed a plan of such cunning - you could stick a tail on it and call
it a fox.
Thanks for all your feedback.
Interesting and inevitable that the post split views on the aesthetic front.
I can understand some peoples view that these cars should be kept as they
always were. I know that there are countless examples, as Kahdmus points
out, where owners have created some real monsters.
I'm a design myself (www.graphicpull.com), so I am always pleased to see
people defending design classics.
A friend of mine has just acquired a 964 and, in that particular case, I
would concur with Kahdmus's recommendation to keep it as an authentic
classic. However, my car was purchased with a very different destiny in
mind. Though structurally sound my car lacks the provenance to make it a
suitable candidate for historic preservation.
My plans for this car are extensive and long term. Hopefully the carefully
selected elements will combine to create something original, whilst
retaining the Porsche design aesthetic.
Future posts will come with a warning for those of a nostalgic disposition.
it a fox.
Thanks for all your feedback.
Interesting and inevitable that the post split views on the aesthetic front.
I can understand some peoples view that these cars should be kept as they
always were. I know that there are countless examples, as Kahdmus points
out, where owners have created some real monsters.
I'm a design myself (www.graphicpull.com), so I am always pleased to see
people defending design classics.
A friend of mine has just acquired a 964 and, in that particular case, I
would concur with Kahdmus's recommendation to keep it as an authentic
classic. However, my car was purchased with a very different destiny in
mind. Though structurally sound my car lacks the provenance to make it a
suitable candidate for historic preservation.
My plans for this car are extensive and long term. Hopefully the carefully
selected elements will combine to create something original, whilst
retaining the Porsche design aesthetic.
Future posts will come with a warning for those of a nostalgic disposition.
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02-09-2009, 12:32 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
The diameter is 370mm to the outer edge of the rim (practically the same as the original 360mm).
The new wheel does appear to enable you to see the instruments more clearly.
The new wheel does appear to enable you to see the instruments more clearly.
12-19-2010, 09:03 AM
#15
