16 replies to this topic

[Mike Colangelo]

Here's a video showing a steering wheel breaking off during last weekend's ICSCC race at Oregon Raceway Park:


The driver is one of the fastest ITA drivers in the Northwest and drives an ITA CRX. I've been told that the steering column didn't shear but the weld on the metal collar that was part of the adapter for the steering wheel failed.

Probably a good idea to check your steering wheel and adapter.

[Ron Alan]

Oh man that could have been bad! Very lucky!

[William Bonsell]

That's the second car in the past three weeks I have seen have the same problem.....anyone want to recommend a fail safe backup method of attachment in addition to the weld.

[wheel]

Yikes!! That seems like a good place for that to happen. I can think of about a thousand places that would have been worse.
wheel

[KentCarter]

What was the make/model of the coupler? Was it SFI rated?

[ChrisA]

A couple weeks ago I was at a DE at VIR, and car had the steering wheel come off heading to the bridge straight. The driver did not fully seat the quick release and failed to check that the steering wheel was secure. The car went through the tire barriers and guardrail. The driver was okay, but the car was not pretty.

[Alberto]

Looked more like the quick disconnect hub broke not the steering wheel

[Weekend Warrior]

Looks like someone fabbed up an extender and that is what broke. Scary either way. I am checking mine just to make sure....

[Keith Andrews]

A couple weeks ago I was at a DE at VIR, and car had the steering wheel come off heading to the bridge straight. The driver did not fully seat the quick release and failed to check that the steering wheel was secure. The car went through the tire barriers and guardrail. The driver was okay, but the car was not pretty.

This happened to a guy parked next to me this past weekend as well at CMP. His Quick Disconnect was not fully engaged, fortunately he was able to get the car stopped without any damage. We also had a car go out without his hood latched, again able to get the car off track with little damage. This stuff just reinforces the idea of doing a proper preflight.

The guy in the video looks to me to be more a victim of mechanical failure. $#it happens.

[ChrisA]

This happened to a guy parked next to me this past weekend as well at CMP. His Quick Disconnect was not fully engaged, fortunately he was able to get the car stopped without any damage. We also had a car go out without his hood latched, again able to get the car off track with little damage. This stuff just reinforces the idea of doing a proper preflight.

The guy in the video looks to me to be more a victim of mechanical failure. $#it happens.

Any chance one of these was a BMW?

[Keith Andrews]

Nope, all SM's.

[Mark McCallister]

The end of the video where he's looking at the broken wheel is priceless!

Just FYI, I had one of those screw-on extensions with a set-screw. Worked fine until I took a hard LF impact that broke the wheel, UCA, etc., and it broke loose. Don't let a non-welded extension go outside the garage, your life might depend on it. Pre-flight should include weld inspection there.

[Ernie Jr.]

gunna check mine now

[Tom Hampton]

I spotted welded mine in two places, rather than a full circumference weld.

[dmathias]

I love how for a split second he tries to steer with the turn signal and wiper stalks.

[davecarama]

I had this one in one of my cars and I loved it: Snap-Off




I currently am only using a Sparco hub adapter and a Momo Wheel... But I'll be sure to check the bolts and screws. I had the main bolt a little loose back in March. And a wheel that is not 100% tight is a bit distracting, that's for sure!

[Brandon]

Here's another one - it was the second "touch" that broke my quick-release from the steering column.

http://www.vimeo.com/15775843

Yeah, I still laugh at attempting to steer the car with the wheel all wobbly...