Anybody try to fit a 2015 STI steering column?

[Speedy G]

I'd like to fit a tilt/telescopic steering column on my car. Has anybody attempted this? I'm already using the steering rack, but just thought that the tilt/telescopic feature would be really nice. Since I don't have a donor, it costs about the same to use a 2006 or a 2015 steering column.

Thoughts?

Speedy G

[Evan78]

I haven't but I'd like to see how it turns out for you. I'd like to have a telescopic column if cost isn't too bad. What do they run?

[scott s]

I am thinking after seeing many photos of people in the car that the steering wheel is already in your chest so to speak, and probably more so if you have short legs and actually have to move the seat forward. I just can not envision a need to move the steering wheel rearward any bit at all.
Just my opinion.

[K3LAG]

it costs about the same to use a 2006 or a 2015 steering column.

Really? I got a used 2005 column on eBay for $35. I would think you could get a used 2006 column pretty cheap. If you buy it online, be sure to get it from someplace that will let you return it if you have any problem.

Larry

[longislandwrx]

Agreed, paid $40 rust free shipped from Oregon to NY.

http://www.ebay.com/usr/541-motorsports

great seller, good parts.

Even called me back on a Sunday when I had an issue.

being from Colombia, YMMV, but if you reach out to them they could probably ship it to you.

[Speedy G]

Mine needs to be new since we can't import any used car parts, so new ones run the same.

Regarding the telescopic feature, I've seen some people shortening the steering column by pushing in the collapsible part so hopefully the telescopic feature can prove useful. I'm actually more interested in the tilt feature since the seating position that I saw on the coupe during the open house was uncomfortable since the steering wheel was too high. This was probably due to the race seats being lower. I'll probably be using lower seats (2.5" thick) so that's what I'm more concerned with. Also, the cockpit didn't seem comfortable, so anything that's adjustable is just better. I guess I'll b the guinea pig. I'll be trying to fit it in December probably.

Speedy G

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Mine needs to be new since we can't import any used car parts, so new ones run the same.

Regarding the telescopic feature, I've seen some people shortening the steering column by pushing in the collapsible part so hopefully the telescopic feature can prove useful. I'm actually more interested in the tilt feature since the seating position that I saw on the coupe during the open house was uncomfortable since the steering wheel was too high. This was probably due to the race seats being lower. I'll probably be using lower seats (2.5" thick) so that's what I'm more concerned with. Also, the cockpit didn't seem comfortable, so anything that's adjustable is just better. I guess I'll b the guinea pig. I'll be trying to fit it in December probably.

Speedy G

Speedy
Michael and I are 6'3" and 6'0" and we are running a 1" thick seat to keep our heads below the roll bar.
We keep the tilt wheel adjusted all the way down plus we have an additional 2" spacer in the steering wheel mount. We did not shorten the length of the column.
See the attached picture.
Bob

tunnel.jpg

[Speedy G]

Wait, your steering column has tilt? What year is it?

[Bob_n_Cincy]

Wait, your steering column has tilt? What year is it?

I thought they all did. I have 06 impreza, 07 impreza, and 04 forester XT all with tilt.
The whole steering wheel move up and down about 4" with the hole in the firewall acting as the pivot point.
This shows a good picture of the tilt mechanism. The black handle looking thing is what releases it.
You can see a bolt in a slot where it slides up and down.
The black shafts on the end collapses into the silver tube during a serious front end collision.
Some have used this to shorten the column.
tilt.jpg
Bob

[Evan78]

I know that my 2002 USDM WRX had a tilt column, so I'm assuming all years after that have tilt. I don't know when they added telescoping.

[longislandwrx]

all years had tilt column, going way back before 2002. I did something similar to Bob, I used Rori's spacer to drop the column down an inch, shortened the column and I also keep the tilt all the way down. my column is from a 05 STi.

I may use the FFR provided spaces to drop it down another half inch depending on how I mount my seat.

check out my build thread (if you can find it) I give pretty detailed instructions about the column.

[longislandwrx]

also how do they tell if its new or not? If it's mint condition can it pass for new?

[Speedy G]

Well... they can't really know, but they look at packaging. If it's packed in a box that says subaru with part numbers, etc it'll pass. If it's not in the oem packaging it probably will not, even if it is new. The truth is that it's a stupid rule and a pain to enforce, I imagine. It's also easy to bypass. Some people export their classic cars to Miami or Panama add all the aftermarket/old classic parts to the cars and then reimport the cars. Then again, trying to import a used part sounds like it's totally worth it. I can lose 40 bucks if I'm set to gain 370 if it goes through...

Well, I'm glad we had this discussion, I though all steering columns were fixed until 2014. The telescoping feature really isn't a priority, and is not worth the risk of it not fitting.

Cheers guys!

Speedy G

[longislandwrx]

also consider doing what Rasmus did, you could use all new parts and it would be well under $400

[Speedy G]

Thnx!