Cobra detachable steering wheel mod

[Paul H]

I decided to not bother with the horn push on the wheel, as the brass contacts inside the mechanism were turning to dust, so it hardly worked anyway. So I mounted another horn push button on the dash within easy reach.
 
The self-cancelling mechanism on the indicators hardly ever worked either, and in strong sunshine, I couldn't see the flashing warning lamp on the dash, so i made up a simple circuit with a couple of diodes and fitted a buzzer underneath the dash.

[Mike Hamblin]

Hi Paul
Thanks for the update, It was good chatting at Malvern, just shows it helps everyone when we all meet up at shows.
Yes I'm currently working on my side windows, got soaked last week, also the wind buffet with the hood on is not brill.

I have used go race Weld on quick release in the past, I have a fitted a fair few of these for others as well, But all Westfields, which use the old mini or Austin tapered spline column.
https://www.go-race.co.uk/shop?page=2  These are great quality and fit.

But I don't think it will do this time, as I need to keep my horn and indicator cancel so I might have to look at straight bolt on to a low profile hub boss.  Will keep you posted as when I decide which direction to go.

[Paul H]

Hi Mike,
It was nice chatting to you at the Malvern kit car show on the Saturday, if you remember you were looking at my AK side screens for possible use on your Cob.
I have an AK with the BMW E34 column, and due to my sciatica, I needed a quick release steering wheel .So on recommendation from Chris P, I went for the "Lifeline quick release steering boss", with the metal weld on slug to suit the Motolita 9 whole steering wheel.
 
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/lifeline-weld-on-quick-release-steering-boss-mota-lita-410-100-007

Its uses fail safe ball bearings to lock the boss in position which drop into a groove and are only released when the release ring is pulled towards you. It's really easy to operate and is a well-made quality piece of kit that's used in many competition race cars. It does make getting in and out the car with the roof on much easier too, and as you say, its added security.   

[Tommy-boy]

I fitted a quick release boss on a classic mini back in 1996, it was a fairly new concept for road vehicle back then.

I still have the boss now and intend to use it on another project car i'm building, the reason I feel its better is that mine locks onto the main hub with two locking pins and a pin tumbler lock with key release. So when in use its nye on impossible to remove the steering wheel when in use.

All of the above links seem to be fairly easy to remove the wheel without a safety net such as a lock first, not that you would try to remove it halfway down the M1 but it could happen on just a latch release version.

[Mike Hamblin]

Has anyone fitted a removable steering wheel, with a quick release snap on/off type fitting.
On an BMW E34 column as used in an AK.
This type of fitting.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172915660805?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338723872&toolid=20006&customid=s4M8HSIYAAAAaLJ7kM3rYfQ54xsIAAAAAA

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404314567300?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338749392&toolid=20006&customid=GB_131090_404314567300.146649679390~1870932170768-g_CjwKCAjw5MOlBhBTEiwAAJ8e1m7deLddNy2BxrFsUnT2bR8bfXtlXq1mZKr-V9hOzELr36zK2R6DNBoCod8QAvD_BwE

https://racegerman.com/collections/e34-steering/products/nrg-steering-wheel-quick-release-gen-2-5

https://www.radne.com/quick-release-steering-wheel-hub-6x70-34-weld-on

This is what I used on Westfield in the past

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/racetech-quick-release-boss-kit-gold-for-70mm-pcd-wheels-rp-rtqny-34?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=ShoppingUK&utm_campaign=ShoppingUK&vat=on&currency=GBP&gclid=CjwKCAjw5MOlBhBTEiwAAJ8e1u8qJuvuOADPe99OlwwKFPJOtMzBAMPPPDvCE8sFwtiTcFwDi-A2DBoCSBkQAvD_BwE

I know its illegal to fit one if you have an airbag type steering wheel.
So should be ok for a kit car.  (would not pass IVA so don't try it )

I have fitted similar to Westfield's in the past, and cut the spline and welded on the quick release stub, you can make the column longer or shorter to suit your driving position depending on indicator or wiper stalks etc.

Or just go for the bolt on quick release type to say a Momo type boss.

Just wondered if anyone has tried this and was it successful.
Should make it easier getting in and out the car, and you can lock the steering wheel in the boot or take with you for added security.