Selecting The Right Steering Wheel Quick Release

Selecting the right steering wheel quick release for your race car can be a daunting prospect. It's often assumed that a quick release is a 'standard' item with little or no variation available, this however is wrong. This guide will help you to select the right Racetech steering wheel quick release for your needs.

Steering wheel quick releases are used in motorsport as a space saving feature. They allow the steering wheel and driver to be closer together without reducing the amount of space available for the driver to exit the vehicle.

The main criteria which need to be considered are:

• Slug diameter
• Mounting holes - PCD, size and number of
• Colour

The slug diameter is one of the more crucial decisions which need to be made. The slug refers to the shaft which is usually welded to the steering column. This shaft has a spline on one end which which connects into the coupling. Each coupling and slug is matched at production, the incredibly tight tolerances involved means that slugs may not fit couplings which they were not supplied with so it is not possible to supply slugs or couplings separately. Racetech's slugs are available in either 5/8", 3/4" or 1" diameter.

The mounting holes themselves mount the steering wheel quick release boss to the steering wheel. These mounting holes have three characteristics which need to be considered, the PCD, the size of hole and the number of holes required.

The PCD for the mounting holes is used to select steering wheel quick release couplings. Racetech offer either a 2" PCD (which is three bolt holes) or a 70mm PCD (which is six bolt holes). The PCD you need is dependant on the steering wheel you have selected so it is best to check the suitability before you buy.

The diameter of the holes refers to the holes on the coupling which will mount onto your steering wheel. Currently these are offered in either 3/16" or 1/4" diameter size hole. Most racing steering wheels are blank so that you can mount whichever coupling you would like to the wheel. However it is best to check before purchasing the coupling and the wheel.

Most steering wheel quick release couplings have either 3 or 6 mounting holes. 3 holes is more commonly found in single seater style race cars where steering wheel tend to be a lot smaller. 6 holes will often be used in rally, saloon/endurance/proto-type racing.

Colour might not seem like an obvious option on a steering wheel quick release coupling but it is an important one. Often couplings are available in either black or gold/yellow. For FIA competition couplings are required to be gold/yellow, for other applications black can be a stylish option.

The Racetech Range Racetech off a range of steering wheel quick release couplings. The specification of each of these are:

Part numbers shown with (Y) are available in either black or gold colour.

The above table should help you select the right steering wheel quick release coupling for your needs. Racetech can however make special custom options if you require something not catered for here.