Was any such thing ever made? Seems like the vendors have a momo quick release hub, and assumably will only work with a momo wheel.
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Pretty sure my car sitting at Wilkinsons had a Lecarra steering wheel with a quick release from Gary Hall circa 1998. I think he replaced it with a Momo. That would mean he has the quick release and the steering wheel. Ask him about it on the Gordon car.
David
David
The Lecarra 9-bolt pattern is probably the least common pattern of the aftermarket steering wheels. There are hundreds of hub adapters available on eBay and with a Google search, but very few for the Lecarra.
I have a removable LeCarra wheel on 2511, that was installed in the 90s by Dennis Q during a restoration. I have never completely taken the assembly apart but I believe I know the components Dennis used.
First you need the hub adapter for the Capri/Pantera splined steering column. Grant used to make one of these that is often seen on eBay. The grant kit number you need is 3295, it will provide a three bolt pattern as used on many of grant's steering wheels.
Grant still makes a key locking, removable steering wheel kit that mounts to that three bolt pattern. The grant kit includes a solid metal cap that locks onto the steering column when the wheel is removed, providing excellent theft protection.
Larry
I have a removable LeCarra wheel on 2511, that was installed in the 90s by Dennis Q during a restoration. I have never completely taken the assembly apart but I believe I know the components Dennis used.
First you need the hub adapter for the Capri/Pantera splined steering column. Grant used to make one of these that is often seen on eBay. The grant kit number you need is 3295, it will provide a three bolt pattern as used on many of grant's steering wheels.
Grant still makes a key locking, removable steering wheel kit that mounts to that three bolt pattern. The grant kit includes a solid metal cap that locks onto the steering column when the wheel is removed, providing excellent theft protection.
Larry
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Thanks guys, let me see what I can put together and find out from wilkinson
Chris
Chris
I'm not attempting to tell you what to do, just posting this in hopes there is something useful to you. So I post this at the risk of repeating what was already posted.
This is a picture of the Wilkinson quick release installed on a cast Momo hub adapter.
I realize that you must be trying to re-use/save the Lecara wheel but I think that with any components that you use, you are going to need to adapt the wheel to the release part of the "kit"
In the case of the Wilkinson kit, his kit bolts to the Momo hub, then the wheel bolts to the other side of the quick release kit.
Wilkinson's is probably the highest quality unit you are going to find. I don't know what Hall's kit was like but he sold more then just a couple of them and the predominant wheel then was the Lecara.
I sold my Lacara a long time ago so I can no longer compare the wheels side by side.
I think the biggest difference is that the Lacara has a larger hole in the center for the "horn button" then the Momo does? Therefor the bolt center line is going to be of a greater radius?
You probably don't want to hear this but it is certainly going to be a lot easier, simpler and provide a higher quality of components to just trade off the Lacara and go with both the Momo and the Wilkinson quick release kit.
You can get a nice Momo for $200 to $225 and the Lacara has got some value to it. For sure $150, if not more.
This is a picture of the Wilkinson quick release installed on a cast Momo hub adapter.
I realize that you must be trying to re-use/save the Lecara wheel but I think that with any components that you use, you are going to need to adapt the wheel to the release part of the "kit"
In the case of the Wilkinson kit, his kit bolts to the Momo hub, then the wheel bolts to the other side of the quick release kit.
Wilkinson's is probably the highest quality unit you are going to find. I don't know what Hall's kit was like but he sold more then just a couple of them and the predominant wheel then was the Lecara.
I sold my Lacara a long time ago so I can no longer compare the wheels side by side.
I think the biggest difference is that the Lacara has a larger hole in the center for the "horn button" then the Momo does? Therefor the bolt center line is going to be of a greater radius?
You probably don't want to hear this but it is certainly going to be a lot easier, simpler and provide a higher quality of components to just trade off the Lacara and go with both the Momo and the Wilkinson quick release kit.
You can get a nice Momo for $200 to $225 and the Lacara has got some value to it. For sure $150, if not more.
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Here's the wheel installed. Just press the center with your thumb and it releases.
Wilkinson's adapter is unique. A thief isn't likely to be driving around with a wheel with the proper hub to fit it. Not in this Universe?
Wilkinson's adapter is unique. A thief isn't likely to be driving around with a wheel with the proper hub to fit it. Not in this Universe?
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Momo hub.
You need to consider the entire assembly height of any of the adapters that you are considering using.
I don't think that is a major consideration with something like a Grant kit? Maybe I'm wrong?
The Wilkinson adds about 1/4" to the top of the Momo adapter. How it could be of lower profile then that, I don't see it. You'd have to machine something off of the base of the cast aluminum Momo adapter to do that.
Why re-invent the wheel?
It's also machined down out of a solid billet chunk of stainless steel.
There is also a second Momo adapter which is stamped steel and is designed to collapse under a collision compression. The one I have pictured here is solid aluminum. I think it's a casting rather then machined out of billet?
The Pantera has a collapsible steering column that theoretically will do that.
You need to consider the entire assembly height of any of the adapters that you are considering using.
I don't think that is a major consideration with something like a Grant kit? Maybe I'm wrong?
The Wilkinson adds about 1/4" to the top of the Momo adapter. How it could be of lower profile then that, I don't see it. You'd have to machine something off of the base of the cast aluminum Momo adapter to do that.
Why re-invent the wheel?
It's also machined down out of a solid billet chunk of stainless steel.
There is also a second Momo adapter which is stamped steel and is designed to collapse under a collision compression. The one I have pictured here is solid aluminum. I think it's a casting rather then machined out of billet?
The Pantera has a collapsible steering column that theoretically will do that.
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This is Hall's from the 92-3 catalog.
Pretty sure that's a LaCarra wheel shown with it?
It works just like the Wilkinson version.
Pretty sure that's a LaCarra wheel shown with it?
It works just like the Wilkinson version.
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If you search eBay for "9 hole adapter"you get some other options such as this.
Using this adapter you could buy the Momo kit, add the adapter and then mount the nine hole Lecarra wheel.
As Doug has noted, one thing to be aware of when stacking splined adapters, quick release adapters, and bolt hole pattern adapters together is the overall height of the assembly. For the bolt hole adapter I have pictured here, 1/2 inch seems to be the smallest available thickness. Some of the splined adapters vary a great deal on their height. Caution is called for unless you want the wheel 2 inches from your chest.
Larry
Using this adapter you could buy the Momo kit, add the adapter and then mount the nine hole Lecarra wheel.
As Doug has noted, one thing to be aware of when stacking splined adapters, quick release adapters, and bolt hole pattern adapters together is the overall height of the assembly. For the bolt hole adapter I have pictured here, 1/2 inch seems to be the smallest available thickness. Some of the splined adapters vary a great deal on their height. Caution is called for unless you want the wheel 2 inches from your chest.
Larry
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Actually now that Larry has brought it up,i.e., the distance from the top of the steering wheel to your chest, the Pantera column can actually be moved forward (away from the driver)
The limiting factor is really the directional signal stalk hitting the dash on high beam.
I moved mine forward about an inch by modifying the mounting tabs during the process of installing the Honda Civic tilt mechanism.
It does help.
Inches gained here and there in this cabin really help.
Also, there is no practical advantage to needing or having the larger diameter hub of the Lacara. They seem to be needed when doing a GM column install, that's all.
For $125, they were a great update back then to the stock steering wheel.
The limiting factor is really the directional signal stalk hitting the dash on high beam.
I moved mine forward about an inch by modifying the mounting tabs during the process of installing the Honda Civic tilt mechanism.
It does help.
Inches gained here and there in this cabin really help.
Also, there is no practical advantage to needing or having the larger diameter hub of the Lacara. They seem to be needed when doing a GM column install, that's all.
For $125, they were a great update back then to the stock steering wheel.
more great info. was working on the car friday, so will call monday. seems as though the easiest route is to get the momo to ford spline adapter, momo quick release assembly, and then 9 hole adapter from momo to lecarra if i want to keep the lecarra wheel. that hall catalog piece is interesting. looks like the center button is the release? the multitude of adapters does make me a little nervous. I could fix the problem of getting into the car, but then i've brought the steering wheel closer to my body during driving which means even more modifications. i like where the wheel sits right now, so will explore this further. thanks for all the feedback you guys, has helped tremendously.
quote:Originally posted by Hustler:
more great info. was working on the car friday, so will call monday. seems as though the easiest route is to get the momo to ford spline adapter, momo quick release assembly, and then 9 hole adapter from momo to lecarra if i want to keep the lecarra wheel. that hall catalog piece is interesting. looks like the center button is the release? the multitude of adapters does make me a little nervous. I could fix the problem of getting into the car, but then i've brought the steering wheel closer to my body during driving which means even more modifications. i like where the wheel sits right now, so will explore this further. thanks for all the feedback you guys, has helped tremendously.
No one knows if the "adapter" shown will interfere with the quick release mechanism.
I think I remember talking to Gary Hall about that release mechanism for the Lacarra and I want to say that it was made by the same people that make the Wilkinson unit? The guy was local to them some where "up the street".
There was some kind of an issue Gary was having with him. I don't remember what it was. Maybe the price kept going up and he was moaning about it? That's 25 years ago. My memory isn't that good about 25 year old discussions? Sorry.
It sure looks like the same device, just made to fit the two styles of wheel hub adapters? The pictures are so small, I can't verify that.
Both work the same way, by pressing the center. That is the spring loaded release button.
Hall and Wilkinson are closed on Mondays.
I wouldn't be shocked if Hall still has one left somewhere in the back for the Lacarra. I think Wilkinson was sold out on them? He didn't make a lot of them because of the cost. $500.
Seems like a lot of effort just to save the Lacarra? You must love it?
I think of the steering wheels as a "wear item" like a pair of shoes. To me it makes sense to provide for the obvious replacement as well which at this time is likely to be a Momo or something standardized to the Momo wheel hub design.