Removable steering wheel

[cubensis]

Hiya all, i know its kind of an unwritten rule that security measures aren't discussed on here but i can't really see the drawback of discussing the fitting of a removable steering wheel as its not giving away any secrets and doesn't give any insight to any would be robbers.

So a few key questions, the one i'm looking at is this;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 5213wt_905" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I haven't go the van at the minute as its having a respray. Would the steering wheel fit this style of boss? I dont mind doing some mods on the steering wheel but just wondered if its possible, also is there any issues with indicators not self cancelling? And last but not least would this fit on the steering wheel shaft? I assume the part that goes on the shaft screws in with allen nuts or something and this is why the ebay listing says its universal?

Anyone else done this? And if so was it easy or did it present any problems and what kit did you use? Thanks!

[jamesc76]

you would need an aftermarket wheel to fit onto that the standard t25 wheel wont fit it !

WILL FIT ALL AFTER MARKET STEERING WHEELS INCLUDING MOMO, SPARCO, OMP, RAID, MOUNTNEY ECT ECT...

[Plasticman]

IT WILL BE PHYSICLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEAL YOUR CAR AND DRIVE AWAY!
bit rich that , I see they claim to be selling fast, yeah, noubt the scroats will have one.
mike

[cubensis]

Hi, thanks for the replies, is there a close matched aftermarket one that suits the specs of the original?

[T25Convert]

Hi,

Looking at this it simply fits between an after-market steering wheel boss, and the wheel itself. It is universal only if you have the right boss already fitted.

So to fit, you buy a new steering wheel with a boss kit and a suitable bolt configuration, fit the boss, then fit the release mechanism then bolt on the wheel. Wheel might sit a bit closer than before with all that extra stuff in. Self canceling indicators would be dictated by the type of boss fitted.

When removed, where are you going to put the wheel? I guess that you'll only take it off when you are parked at home, so you can leave it in the house. In the middle of the night the local tea-leaf will just use a nice set of stilsons, clamp onto the nice knobbly aluminium finish and he's off.

I don't wish to put you off if you like the idea of it, but I think there are better ways - like a good immobiliser, a good steering lock (so you can use it in Asda carparks as well) or if you leave the van for a long period of time, just remove the king lead of your dizzy and no one is going anywhere......

Let me know how it goes if you do get one!

Cheers,

Alex

[Simon Baxter]

I have seen several of these through the workshop.
2 cautionary tales.

1. There is a rawl pin out of the back of the wheel to act as the plastic peg found on VW wheels that flips the self cancel lever on the slalks. The rawl pins are metal and too long, they short out the wiring connections in the stalk and often burn the wiring loom out.
Either shorten the pins or hammer them in further.

2. You will end up with a lot of play in your steering column as they are not quite right for use on a T3.

[foxley]

My van was stolen some years ago by professionals and although I got it back I learnt a great deal from the police recovery team.
Professional van rogues generally know what they are after and very little deters them.
They are not nicking your van for a joyride.
A missing streering wheel would not put them off if they were determined to get your van.
There are ways and means of steering a vehicle despite a missing streering wheel.
My van and probably yours can be easily accessed by simply removing a window glass as mine was.
The police tell me I was lucky because everything possible was etched with my reg number making it unfeasable to ring succesfully but they still tried.
If only they had had the time to examine my van they would not have bothered.
Another security to consider is fitting the bolt on bits using security nuts bolts and screws to deter oportunist thieves( usually fellow campers ) unfortunately.
This was brought home to me on a camp site in Italy some years ago when a family returned from sightseeing to find everything that could be removed from their autosleeper was gone.
Before paranoia sets in you should consider that for a small outlay on etching, screws and bolts you can have some peace of mind.

Regards....Frank