Steering Grip Fatigue

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:27 am

Hi All,

I have a smooth leather Momo Race steering wheel in my track Miata. It's 300mm in diameter and what I really like about it is the thumb tabs are properly located for my smaller hands. When you look at my driving videos, I don't wrap my thumbs around the wheel, I have them on top of the wheel on the tabs. What I don't like about it is that the wheel is in the way of the instrument cluster and it's rather slick to hold on to. I find that I have to dampen my gloves for a little glove/wheel tack before I go out to drive.

Now I'm trying to get a seat and steering wheel sourced and installed in my Spec E30 currently in process. They're of primary importance in preparation to get the car to the cage builder.

I did some measuring before I pulled the dash out and know that anything smaller than a 350mm wheel will obscure the dash too much(like you really have time to look at it any way

) I plan on using the Tekniq Snap-Off quick disconnect. Between that and the hub adapter, I'm hoping the steering wheel to be moved back to me enough, so I think I just need a "flat" wheel (I'm 5'10).

Since I like the thumb tabs on my Momo Race so much, I've been looking to get a 350mm suede wheel similar to the Momo Race. The Momo Mod 80 looks to be the winner, but I thought I could find something more cost effective. I just recieved a Volanti Stealth from Bimmerworld that I thought would fit the bill. It's not going to work - the thumb tabs moved up with increase in the wheel diameter and I'll never be able to use them. Also the wheel feels too narrow in girth. I think something a little fatter in the hands would help with reduction in grip effort.

I believe the wheel that came in my 325 is an E30 Mtech 1. It's 380mm in diameter and about 30mm in girth - feels good, but it's too large in diameter. I'll wear myself out turnin' it! My thumbs drop comfortably onto the thumb notches without wrapping around the wheel.

I've been told that suede will help my grip problem, but I dunno - I'm wondering if my hands just aren't getting old. I'm wondering if rather than suede, some smooth fatty steering wheel with something like a tack cloth rubbed all over it wouldn't work.

Surely I'm not the only one with grip/comfort issues these days. What wheels do you guys like that are easy on grip force?

TIA

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:43 am

Grip fatigue? I think you might be holding the steering wheel too tight :-)

Another option is to try a different set of gloves. A little cheaper than experimenting with steering wheels.

As for blocking the gauges, don't even worry about it. When on track you have maybe once or twice a lap to check the gauges. And if you have those opportunities, it is not a great race day. It is far more important to get the wheel located in a comfortable position and then worry about gauges.

I only glance at my water temp gauge if given the chance. If the oil pressure drops, by the time I see it I figure the engine is toast any ways.

My goal is to replace the stock panel with a home made one, locating the gauges for better viewing. If and when this occurs, I will put warning lights in.

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:13 am

Yeah, I'm finding myself having to hold it too tight so I don't have slip. That's the whole problem. I'm using Alpinestar Gloves and things are still slick. When I get the gloves dampened right, the glove surface creates a great tack to the steering wheel. You just put the wheel between your thumb and fingers and the tack does the rest. It's not easy to get the tack in the gloves right and if you over dampen things get real slippery!

I do like the 300mm diameter in the Miata - maybe I'll just get the same diameter in the Spec E30 - the smaller the wheel, the less you have to move it!

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:20 am

Kevin, call OG Racing and talk to them. i know you are tight with Bimmerworld but a second opinion never hurts. i have a Sparco suede wheel. they are less than $250. also the quik release hub adds an inch or so.

my thought would be to get your seat set to the pedals / shifter and then work on the dish depth and hub set up from there.

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:24 am

Kevin, do like Jim says, relax your death grip on the wheel.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:26 am

Bernie Baake wrote:

Kevin, do like Jim says, relax your death grip on the wheel.

I think part of the problem is the SUPER high steering effort IMHO (at last that was my thoughts the last time I drove his car)

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:36 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

Bernie Baake wrote:

Kevin, do like Jim says, relax your death grip on the wheel.

I think part of the problem is the SUPER high steering effort IMHO (at last that was my thoughts the last time I drove his car)

May be. Smaller wheels do require more input force.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:40 am

my wheel is either a 330mm or a 350mm i don't remember exactly. i seem to remember a great deal of steering wheel discussion on www.bimmerforums.com in the autox /race section. most everyone uses the same size.

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 11:49 am

If you can see your speedo and tach ok, then it's probably a 350. If they're obscured, then 330.

Chris Brown · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:00 pm

Bernie Baake wrote:

Kevin, do like Jim says, relax your death grip on the wheel.

i can't remember who told me to do the piano finger thing but it works well...basically in every straight, i "roll" my fingers as though i was playing a piano and it forces you to relax your grip...if you can make it a habit, it might help.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:38 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

Bernie Baake wrote:

Kevin, do like Jim says, relax your death grip on the wheel.

I think part of the problem is the SUPER high steering effort IMHO (at last that was my thoughts the last time I drove his car)

Let me guess, Kevin is yet another fool who doesn't have/want power steering. :roll:

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:17 pm

Chris Brown wrote:

Bernie Baake wrote:

Kevin, do like Jim says, relax your death grip on the wheel.

i can't remember who told me to do the piano finger thing but it works well...basically in every straight, i "roll" my fingers as though i was playing a piano and it forces you to relax your grip...if you can make it a habit, it might help.

+1

Kevin Harvey · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:37 pm

Kevin,

Have you ever tried the little rosin bags they sell at a bowling pro shop? Small enough to stay in a little ziplock and a couple of dabs will make the palm and fingers of your glove sticky. When it wears off, just reapply.

Kevin

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:43 pm

Kevin, I actually prefer suede-palm gloves. I've got a pair of Sparco Speeds that are wonderful.

Kevin Butler · **Posted:** Tue Jan 06, 2009 2:48 pm

Karl Shultz wrote:

Kevin, I actually prefer suede-palm gloves. I've got a pair of Sparco Speeds that are wonderful.

Do you use them on a suede or smooth leather steering wheel?

FWIW. my palms don't contact the wheel all that much. I hold the wheel with my fingers. Let's me feel things out a little better.

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Steering Grip Fatigue

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