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:: TECH ::
Rhino Steering Wheel Quick Disconnect
With 3-spoke Kart Wheel |
Introduction
While waiting for the new Goblin Dash kit to arrive we needed to address the stock steering wheel with any type of replacement. The stock 06' wheel is just plain ugly and cheap to say the least. We've been wanting to replace it anyways so this just expedited things.
Theres one thing we've especially learned over the years and that to do it right the first time. With that said we'd be satisfied with replacing the stock wheel with an easy install hub adapter and grant wheel for example. But if I were to spend an additional hour of work on the steering wheel replacement I could add a quick disconnect and make it what we'd really want. Why would we want a removable steering wheel? The benefits include easier access getting in and out of our rhino now with the Sniper full height welded doors. It also adds a level of security purpose as well. Simply take the wheel with you when the Rhino's parked and it will make it that much more difficult for someone to steal it. So now that i've decided to take the extra time and install a quick disconnect hub with our steering wheel swap let get started.
Finding Parts & Installing them
First step was to get a weld-on quick disconnect kit and a kart style steering wheel. The steering wheel I had in mind is a simple round 3-spoke style like used in kart racing. (12" or 13") No weird grips like those euro style steering wheels. With no power steering on these little machines its much nicer to have a smooth round steering wheel that you can easily operate.
Locating the parts was pretty easy, Being a big eBay shopper I was lucky enough to find both the disconnect and steering wheel on some recent auctions. The disconnect kit cost about $25 shipped and the steering wheel was a score at $27. (Both brand new parts) Other requirements included a couple bucks at the hardware store for 3 grade-8 bolts and washers for mounting the steering wheel. In total we spent about $55-$60 bucks. Not bad.
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QuickCar Steering Disconnect
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Birel Kart Steering Wheel
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Welding on the Bung
Now that we have everything ready to go it was time to weld the supplied quick disconnect bung to the stock steering shaft. Unfortunately the rhino's steering column is considerably smaller in diameter than the inside welding surface of the bung. Keep in mind most of the quick disconnect kits available are for automotive use. Not a problem though, In order to make it work we added a cut to length section of DOM tubing from a Jeep wranglers leaf spring eye bushing sleave. It just so happened to fit perfectly over the stock shaft and was a nice tight fit inside the quick disconnect bung. With a little dry fit run, the next step was to weld the sleeve onto the steering column and then proceed to weld the quick disconnect bung to the sleave and the column with one final pass. This step was performed at both the collar of the steering shaft as well as the top part of the bung were the steering wheel mounts. Let it cool off and then with some grinding to the clean up the top it was good to go!
Final steps included mounting the steering wheel to the quick disconnect hub with the bolt we picked up at the hardware store. While I was there I added a drop or two of locktite to each bolt. Once the steering column has cooled off it was time to install it back into the Rhino. That's it. I initially said it would take an additional hour and that was probably fairly accurate considering the time to remove and reinstall the column. Welding only took a few minutes.
More Photo's - Click to see large view
Note: We welded our quick disconnect bung so that it moved our steering wheel down about 1-2 inches than stock. This felt more confortable for us driving and provided a little more arm room. Let me know if you have any questions about this tech article.
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