I think I'm going to embark on a project to design and have produced steering wheel hubs for Hondas (starting with Civic and NSX) that utilize the factory cable reel, and install much more cleanly than Momo hubs (because of said cable reel). However, I'm not sure if getting the splines that connect to the steering wheel column will be a problem. It would be entirely possible to just buy up a bunch of junkyard steering wheels and un-weld the spline from them, but I'd prefer something cheaper / cleaner.

I'm also hoping I can come up with a modular design making it possible to use slightly different parts to make it work with many different Honda cars without being ridiculously expensive. I may even think about trying to do a quick-release design.

So, if anyone has any idea where I could get splines that fit the columns, or has any other wishlist items they'd like me to take into account, please share your input here.

-Mike

 

Gripp, why would you want to use the cable reel with a aftermarket wheel? If I remember correctly, the reel is needed for the cc & airbag, neither of which is offered in a Momo or Sparco. Please don't flame me. I am just wondering.

 

I vote for variable length hubs...

If you're serious about doing it, it seems like it would be easier to get them machined as new pieces than to try to salvage them.

 

Variable-length how? It's very easy to put a spacer under the steering wheel. I don't think a telescoping mechanism would be practical from a cost standpoint, although I'll think about that. Maybe I'll be able to think of a good way to do it. I'd also take making hubs of different lengths into account in my design since the NSX and Civic already require different lengths.

As for why I'd want to use the cable reel... The Horn is also on the cable reel. Plus, you can get wheels that have more than one button (like I already have). You can also get something like Sparco's "Racing control kit":
http://www.sparcousa.com/swheel_accessories.asp

So it becomes perfectly feasible to at least get horn and cruise control on the aftermarket wheel, even if you don't get airbag.

I just put a momo wheel in my civic with a momo hub, and it requires some gnarly fabrication and wiring to get just the horn to work... Which I'm not interested in doing, since it should be really easy to design an adapter that works with the factory cable reel, and then all I have to do is some wiring inside the hub.

-Mike

 

I meant different length options, not a telescoping adapter...

 

If you could just make a kit that allows the horn and cc to work with the 92-95 Civics you would be a rich man. I just put a momo wheel/hub on my 93 hatch last night and had to deal with the issue at hand. It was getting late so for now the horn doesn't work. Maybe this weekend though I'll see if I can find a way to get it honking since I now know which lead is the one for the horn.

Seriously though, design something for easy install at it would sell like hotcakes.

 

Lemme know if you come up with anything good.

That's my plan.

Also... I may or may not have to find a source for honda-compatible connectors if I want to make really clean wiring.

-Mike

 

Only trouble you are going to have is rigging up some way for the ground to work properly since it grounds by contact on the back of the oem wheel. I could see where a spring or something will need to be installed to insure constant contact.

Honda didn't make anything easy with that gen of cars when it comes to steering wheels.

 

OEM Steering wheels ground through the spline into the steering column. Easy.

-Mike