Steering Wheel Screws

[japollon]

This is probably a silly question, but what is the solution for the screws not seating flush on the steering wheel (see picture). This causes the center piece to stand up off the surface of the wheel creating a gap.

Thanks, Joel

83376

[edwardb]

You could maybe find some screws with a higher countersink angle and sit flush. But the easy answer is to just increase the countersink in the steering wheel. Use a standard 82 degree countersink bit and open them up a bit. I've had to do that on all of my builds and just did the Coupe steering wheel last night. The aluminum cuts easily. No reason to be sloppy, but the outer edges of the screw holes are will inside the OD of the center piece.

[PeteH]

Joel, do you have the o ring on? If so, put a little lube on it to be sure that is not what is hanging up. Mine fit nice, but is an A.C. center cap, maybe slightly shallower.

[Erik W. Treves]

Those should be Philips heads.. you sure you have then right hardware??

[i.e.427]

Those should be Philips heads.. you sure you have then right hardware??

X2. That is not the hardware I have seen before.

[Erik W. Treves]

Those should be Philips heads.. you sure you have then right hardware??

[japollon]

I have the original Phillips head screws that came with the kit. On my wheel, they do exactly the same thing, that is sick up out above the surface of the wheel. Joel

[japollon]

Here are the original Phillip heads reinstalled. Perhaps I am the only one with this issue.

Joel

83381

[CDXXVII]

I am pretty sure these are the screws I used. The 100 degree heads seemed just about perfect.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#93085a544/=1c899ij

Using a countersink is also an option but be aware that you may end up enlarging the hole due to the thickness of the steering wheel.

[Papa]

Wow! I must have gotten lucky as mine all sit perfectly.

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/796/40457753324_357497f0bb_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24D7yx7)

I know the bolt pattern is a little unusual. Have you tried to rotate the boss for a better fit?

[i.e.427]

Here are the original Phillip heads reinstalled. Perhaps I am the only one with this issue.

Joel

83381

Joel , Let's see the steering wheel without the screws in. I have a hunch that your's is not counter-sunk.

[japollon]

i.e.427, No they are counter-sunk. I believe Edwardb above has had the same experience as me and provided a solution.

Thanks to everyone for the conversation and support. Joel

[edwardb]

i.e.427, No they are counter-sunk. I believe Edwardb above has had the same experience as me and provided a solution.

Thanks to everyone for the conversation and support. Joel

A little more detail on what I've experienced. I've not had an issue with the hardware supplied in the kit. It fit the steering wheel countersinks and sits flush. But I've used Russ Thompson's turn signal setup for each build. For those that have done this, you know that part of the mod is you send him your hub and he machines it. Plus becomes two pieces with the mounting screws tapped into the second piece on the back vs. the nuts and washers in the stock kit setup. He provides new machine screws (I think 1/4-inch, but don't quote me on that. Going from memory...) that in my experience no longer quite sit flush with the steering wheel. This prevents the steering wheel boss from sitting down flush on the steering wheel. With a pretty light touch using a countersink bit and a hand drill (the steering wheel is too big to fit in my little drill press) the screws Russ provides can be made to fit flush. Doesn't take much and I've never considered it a big deal. That's the background for the answer I responded with.

Having said that though, the screws the OP showed (whether the Allen heads or the Phillips ones) do sit up higher than I've experienced. So not 100% sure about that. Maybe there's some variation in the countersink of the steering wheels? Or maybe that hardware is different than what I used. Looks like I can see a line/split in the steering wheel hub, so maybe that's a Russ Thompson modified piece? If so, you're going to need to accommodate the screw size he tapped into the hub. Maybe different screws or even the 100 degree ones Scott mentions would reduce/eliminate the amount of additional countersink required. Assuming you use the kit provided steering wheel boss, as I mentioned before, the OD is well outside the mounting screws and countersinks. So whatever you do will be completely hidden.

[Gobozo]

This may sound obvious, but make sure the hardware is not bottoming out; or will not bottom out before your increase the countersink.

[Davew70]

Lots of good suggestions.