Steering wheel, alternative quick release boss

[K20A2]

Hi,

does anybody perhaps have some experience with one of the following quick release bosses?

OMP:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/steering-wheel-bosses-accessories/omp-lightweight-3-bolt-quick-release-steering-wheel-boss

GO-RACE:
http://go-race.co.uk/shop/4582749947/self-aligning-formula-quick-release-steering-hub---weld-on/7229497

Worksbell Rapfix Racing:
http://www.plays-kool.co.uk/acatalog/WorksBell.html
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAFNGsb0yw0

Thanks

[meladdo]

What ever you choose, and I would not choose an unknown name  to me! Make sure you have a very competent welder to do the job!

A bolt on is the better option if you already have the threaded column, however with a bolt on boss kit it will put the steering wheel much closer to you, that may well be the desired result but if you have long arms like me every bit the wheel is closer to the dash is a plus!

The Lifeline one is standard fit on the Atom and is about the same price as the others linked to.

[phil4]

[quote="meladdo"]
The Lifeline one is standard fit on the Atom and is about the same price as the others linked to.
[/quote]

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/s/steering-wheels/lifeline-steering-boss

Or more specifically, I recall it's this one:
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/lifeline-formula-car-quick-release-steering-boss-410-100-001

[K20A2]

Thank you for the advice and the links.
I have the SPA version at my Atom 3 and I know the Lifeline from some posts here.
Welding and pinning would be done by a certified shop if needed.

I do not intend to start a new discussion about the play in the boss construction (spline version) but actually this is the reason why I was asking about experience with the 3 mentioned bosses, which work different.
In general I would prefer the factory solution with the Lifeline, which as a plug and play spare part including welded column would also safe me a lot of time.
But I am not really satisfied with the idea, that this spline construction already has a (very little) amount of play even when new, which becomes more and more over the driven miles.
You may say, that I could see it as a wear part, similar to brake disks and pads and so it also needs to be replaced after some miles.
But as there obviously are better or at least different solutions available I do not want to consider the play in the spline construction as kind of "normal" or "standard".

The GO-RACE boss is Made in UK and the WorksBell Rapfix is Made in Japan; not sure where the OMP comes from though.

Unlike the spline versions the manufactureres of those 3 bosses promote them to be withouth any play at all, even after some miles of use.

[ccconn]

I had the Rapfiix one on my last Caterham and it was a fantastic bit of kit that had the added bonus of no slack in the splines because it uses ball bearings to lock in place
Took up any slack was brilliant
If you can find someone like Merlin who make them with the shaft on them I would be interested as I would like to go back to one

Chris

[K20A2]

Hi Chris,

how long (miles) did you use it on your Caterham?
Was there any difference in usage from beginning to end of your ownership?
Did the Caterham already come with the Rapfix or did you add it by yourself?

Thank you.

[Toilet Duck]

Sorry I can't help, but I too would be very interested in a quick release coupling that doesn't suffer from play. I've had two from the factory and now switched back to a "fixed" steering wheel. I would much prefer a removable wheel but I really don't want any play in the steering.

Keep us all posted 

[reg]

I'm going to have a look at the Rapfiix, it can't be that hard to graft it onto the stock column. I don't appear o have much movement in mine but I like the location idea, rather than splines.

[Bruce Fielding]

From the MOT:

Free play allowed depends on type of steering: 75mm for non-rack and pinion, 13mm for rack and pinion steering. Where there are several joints between the steering wheel and the rack, up to 48mm on a 380mm diameter wheel may be accepted.

I think you'll find that even on the wobbliest wheel, the Atom is significantly better than any of that.

[meladdo]

I would say mine has about 3mm in the whole system and the splined column wheel QR interface is almost solid.

[K20A2]

Bruce,
this is quite a lot.
Admittedly my play is far away from that and I would not like to test such a play in an Atom.
Perhaps I am a bit too sensitive.
I had the opportunity to move the steering wheels in a couple of Formula race cars with spline quick release bosses from different manufacturers and I was very surprised, that most of them had significantly more play in the mechanism than I have.
However it bothers me and being bothered is probably the last thing I like to experience in my Atom.
So it might only be me
I could imagine, that this would be much better in a 3.5 or for those, who have the steering upgrade which obviously adds much more direction stability to the front. So the play would perhaps not be that noticable because I would not have to do so many correcting steering movements anymore.
Unfortunately only the factory is doing that upgrade afaik...

[ccconn]

[quote="K20A2"]
Hi Chris,

how long (miles) did you use it on your Caterham?
Was there any difference in usage from beginning to end of your ownership?
Did the Caterham already come with the Rapfix or did you add it by yourself?

Thank you.
[/quote]

Used it for about 2 years probably about 4000 miles. and it remained rock solid which is basically the selling point. I fitted it myself - pretty easy

[K20A2]

Chris,
may I ask, where you bought it that time?
Thanks

[Curves Junkie]

[quote="K20A2"]
Unfortunately only the factory is doing that upgrade afaik...
[/quote]

I will see it next week. 

[ccconn]

Meteor Motorsports I think in Wales
Very good chap Simon

C