MSA/Grant Billet Steering Wheel Hub trouble

[mdbrandy]

So, I installed a new steering wheel today. Got it from MSA, and it came with their "Billet Hub". Looks nice. However, I can't for the life of me get the horn to work, or the turn signals to turn off. It looks like there is no way that the horn contactor that slides around on the copper ring is going to touch. One of the roll pins could not be installed in the same position as on the orignal wheel, although it was close. But it appears as though neither of them do anything. AND, they are both actually sticking out too far, although it's fairly obvious that they are not rubbing on anything. So it isn't that I inserted them too far.

Anyway, I'm going to pull it again tomorrow, measure the distance between the roll pins on the new and old wheel, etc, and then I'll call MSA on Tuesday, but if any of you that have installed an MSA-supplied adapter on a 280Z have an hints, I'd appreciate hearing them.

Thanks.

[blitzkraig]

I put one of those in my 71 240. I used the old wheel as a reference to check how far out the roll pins should stick, so my turn signals work fine. But I have the same problem as you do as far as the horn is concerned. The kit came with a little spring and contact but the instructions say it's for a 280.....so not sure what's going on there. Lemme know what you find out.

[mdbrandy]

I'll post how things work out. Did your adapter actually have pin holes where they should be? On my original wheel, the roll pins are directly on either side of the center shaft hole. On the adapter, one was beside the hole, and one a little lower. Couldnt find a geometry where two pin holes were directly across from each other like on the original wheel. Also, the roll pins would not insert into the adapter so that they only stuck out as far as the originals. They stick out farther, but still do not engage the turn signal mechanism. Fun....

Mine came with that little spring and contact you're talking about, but it was marked for 'Nissan, 1980 and up'. Since mine's a '78, that shouldn't matter either...

[mdbrandy]

Ok, so now it all works. Kind of have to read around MSA's directions, and understand the hub geometry very well versus the original wheel. I had pounded the roll pins in too far, because I was baseing their height off where they entered the hub. Well, that's wrong. The height of the pins on the original wheel must be equal to the height ABOVE THE BASE OF THE HUB on the new hub, and not height above the surface where the pins enter the hub, like on the original wheel. Also, I hadn't been able to figure out which holes to put the pins in, because I had followed their directions and put the hole in the hub marked "Up", at the top of the wheel. Wrong again. If I rotated the hub about 120 degrees, then the holes line up for the wheel, and the correct holes are available for the pins.

Lastly, you have to bend the HECK out of the horn contact on the steering column. I had to raise it probably almost a full inch to get it to contact the copper contact ring. But it works now, and I don't think it will hurt anything.

[DA19]

I'm also working on adding a new steering wheel and had similar problems with the installation. My horn still doesn't work and that may be because I didn't know about the horn contact on the steering column...where exactly is this located? After the wheel assembly is removed is this the metal arm coming up to about center from the lower right side? Does this then need to be bent forward to contact the copper ring on the rim of the new hub? Just want to make sure I'm bending the right piece.

[mdbrandy]

Originally posted by DA19

I'm also working on adding a new steering wheel and had similar problems with the installation. My horn still doesn't work and that may be because I didn't know about the horn contact on the steering column...where exactly is this located? After the wheel assembly is removed is this the metal arm coming up to about center from the lower right side? Does this then need to be bent forward to contact the copper ring on the rim of the new hub? Just want to make sure I'm bending the right piece.

Yes, it's the thin metal strip that comes around from the bottom, and something like halfway up the right side, that looks like it has a little metal button on the end of it. I had to bend this (carefully) toward the driver, as much as an inch to get it to contact the copper ring on the wheel adapter. Do you have the big polished aluminum billet adapter? I gather there are different kinds. That is what I have.

Good luck!

Mark

[DA19]

Good Deal...Thanks for the info Mark...that should get me back on track tomorrow. I know exactly what you are talking about now. Mine adapter sounds like yours. I knew there had to be something that made contact with that copper ring...I just didn't want to go bending things without being sure.

Thanks Again

Rh