Steering Wheel Tilt Too Low

[calvinlc]

Hi there. I am looking at buying 2nd gen DSM for my nephew. He is not very tall (6'0") but when he sat in one today he could not move his right leg to the left to get to the brake without bumping into the steering wheel. The wheel was tilted all the way up. It had a good bit of motion available to it but the highest setting does not seem to be very high. He fits fine in the 1st gens but not the 2nd's. Is there anything that can be done about this (retaining the airbag) or is he just out of luck? Thanks!
--Calvin Craig

 

[its_hey_ma]

Find one with power seats and it might move the seat far enough down that the steering wheel is out of the way. That would be the easiest way IMO

 

[HighPsi92GST]

he must have really long or big legs, im 6 foot and have no trouble at all with the steering wheel tilted down all the way. maybe try moving the seat back alitte?

 

[calvinlc]

Hmmm...thanks for the responses guys. The one we tried had power seats and the seat was almost all the way into the back seat (not to mention bottomed out vertically) and his knee was still bumping the steering wheel. He couldn't get in a position where his knee wouldn't hit the steering wheel and he could still press the clutch all the way in.
--Calvin

 

[spyder dst]

try here for fix

http://dsm.org/archives/1997/01/19970124.txt/4.html

 

[calvinlc]

Thanks for the link! Since I am a little unfamiliar with these cars right now (having never owned one) I was wondering where the bracket that was referred to in the procedure is located? Thanks so much!

--Calvin Craig

 

[Defiant]

It's obvious under the dash. I've done this, and gained about a half-inch. I could still use more.

 

[igs]

I've done this mod too, and it helps a lot. But the easiest thing to do is just get an aftermarket steering wheel and you will free up a ton of space.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

I am 6'2 and everyone always complains about the eclipse being small, but I love the feel of everything around me. Makes me feel like im in a cockpit and all secured..Although my doors and center console get lots of wear from my knees rubbing.

 

[yoshimitsuspeed]

I had the same problem. The worst part for me is I was unable to do full hand to hand feed in corners because my leg rested on the wheel leaving no room for my hand to pass. I recently took out my center console for a project I am doing and it gave me more than enough legroom. I like it so much I think I will design a center console with more space where my leg rests. I am glad to know there is a mod to raise the wheel, I hadn't heard that before. Some other thoughts I had would be putting in racing seats, they are safer and hold you in better but they are also shallower and would sit lower to the floor. You could also adjust how they sit in the car while you are installing brackets. You could also add a steering wheel spacer which would move the wheel back allowing you to move the seat back a little more. I think the racecar style removable wheels move the wheel back a little as well, you also have another theft deterent if you want to take your steering wheel with you.
The main reason I haven't moved the wheel back is I like how the wipers and turnsignals are a fingertip away anstead of taking your hand off the wheel to signal.

I did just relize from your description that I think he may need to change his braking technique. His knee should remain hard up against the center console and his heel should just piviot from the gas to the brake. If he is moving his leg under the wheel this would be quite uncomfortable. If he does this I think he will have no problem with the pedals and will only be left with hitting his leg while turning.