USA - #1

I just installed a Sparco steering wheel and the Sparco hub adapter (for the Chevy spline). The spline matched up to the steering shaft OK, but when I torqued down the steering wheel nut (30 ft/lbs), the steering wheel is locked up solid. Has anyone run into this before or used the Sparco hub adapter in their C5? Help!

tracjunkie914

who did you buy that through?

i am trying to find the best adaptor for my momo pattern steering wheel for my C5. anything better than the ATI out there?

Cobra4B

You sure you column lock isn't engaged and freaking out since you removed the airbag etc?

USA - #1

Yeah,
It's locked up tight with no play at all. No real relationship between the dreaded column lock and the air-bag. The column lock is buried in the column below the steering wheel and is unaffected by the removal of the steering wheel. Plus I installed a resistor in the airbag circuit. The airbag module thinks the bag is still there and no warning light.

ANYBODY that has installed an aftermarket steering whell and adapter, please chime in.

MungoZ06

PM Hamdog ... he put a sparco sw in his '98 cpe.

USA - #1

Will do

Wah

I have only done Momo adapter. Sparco adapter is different. The Momo adapter requires some machining to clear the clockspring. Did you remove the clockspring ? But then again, I have no idea how Sparco adapter is constructed.

0DAVID@VASPEED

I have a momo hub and sparco wheel, I had no problems installing it. It's been a couple years but the only thing I remember trimming was the black plastic column trim because it rubbed the adapter a little.

USA - #1

Thanks for the response guys. I got the Sparco adapter off last night. Didn't have any time to measure the adapter vs. the stock steering wheel (I’ll do that tonight), but the non-broached (no splines) section of the adapter is deeper, thus allowing the adapter to slide down further on the steering shaft. The adapter has a protrusion on the back (as does the stock steering wheel). Since the adapter is further down on the shaft, the protrusion presses on the clockspring HARD. On my car, this locked up the steering wheel and cracked the clockspring, ruining it. See pictures below. Sparco should have this info in their fitment database. Can someone post up a few pictures of the Momo adapter on their car (from the side). I am trying to get a good idea of how it looks on the car and what kind of trimming needs to be done. Then I will make a decision to either buy the Momo or machine the protrusion off of the back of the Saprco adapter. From what I have been told, the Momo adapter does not need any machining, only the plastic trimming.

sperkins

What ever came of this? I'm looking to install something similar very soon. Based on this thead, it seems like the Sparco unit is not the way to go.

WNeal

Myself and a couple of other folks just put a Phadt adaptor on our C-6's with no issues whatsoever.
Slid right on, put the nut on and tightened it.

No clearance issues, no jerry rigging needed and works great.
Bolted right up to both Sparco and Momo steering wheels and then later an aftermarket quick disconnect.

Not sure if they make one for a C5 but you might look.

MySR71

With the Sparco adapter, you have to remove the clock spring. The OP was trying to put the adapter on without doing so. That won't work.

If you haven't ready, you might want to check out this thread:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/auto...ng-wheels.html

I have some pics at the end of the thread using the Sparco adapter. It seems to work well and put the wheel at a good location for me.

As of a couple of months ago, Pfadt didn't make an adapter for the C5.

USA - #1

Yep ~ the clockspring needs to be removed (at least on the CS).
Sparco knew my exact application but had no idea about the fitament issue.
The adapter fits the GM steering shaft from approx 1968-2004.
It works on a C5 just as "well" as a 1970 Camaro.