12 replies to this topic

[clarkers]

Hi
Just need a bit of advice. I bought a Mota-lita steering wheel and boss on ebay for my 94 Cooper. When I tried to fit it today, the splines lined up perfectly, but the barrel on the boss was too deep, as a result of which I could only get a coupe of turns on the locking nut because not enough of the bolt was showing through the centre of the boss. Arse. I could force it on, but I don't much fancy the steering wheel coming off in my hands on a tight corner...
So if anyone has a nine-bolt mota-lita steering wheel fitted to a latish Cooper, could you tell me the spec on your boss?
I attach a photo of mine for reference...
Ta very much!
Mr. C

Attached Files

•  IMG_2393.JPG   510.52K   15 downloads

[Ethel]

It's not being held off by the column switches is it? A quick measure up of the column and hub spline depths should show if it will fit.

[hopper]

i have a mota lita boss which is too short to reach my indicator cancel bush so mayb we could do a swop. what depth is your boss? i have a 80's clubman

[clarkers]

Hi
Well, my boss is 46mm deep from the bottom to the lower edge of the lip you screw the steering wheel on to. Since i posted i've done a bit of research and apparently mota lita make the same boss for all minis from '77 on. So ours are probably the same. If you can be bothered to take the steering wheel off, the boss code is on the inside of the rim which the steering wheel is screwed up against. If it's like mine, it should say B45. i'll be calling mota lita tomorrow to see if they can sort out a solution.
Did you find you had enough of the bolt sticking up through the boss to screw the steering wheel nut onto?? I can only manage it (just) if I remove the vibration washer, and even then the nut goes about halfway on. I'm too chicken to drive it like this, just in case the steering wheel comes off in my hands...
Anyway, when I talk to mota lita i'll ask them about your indicator cancel brush problem too.
Bye for now!

[GraemeC]

Are you trying to fit this to an MPi?
If so then I believe a standard boss is no good, someone made one specially - may have been Wood & Pickett.

[GraemeC]

Lookie here:
http://www.woodandpi...teering-wheels/

[clarkers]

Thanks for this! Mine's not an MPI, but I'll give these guys a call. I spoke with Mota Lita today, and they didn't really get my problem. They told me to send them the boss, which I'll do if I can't get anywhere with it....

[enigma]

hey there i have two suggestions for your consideration! i have a wooden mota lita on a mountney boss,two holes need to be drilled but the rest line up! couldnt be doing with paying lita money for the boss! however in my quest for a boss i did purchase in error an airbag deletion boss for an mpi on fleabay! so if it transpires you have an mpi column or something silly,we could talk about a sale! lots cheaper than rrp!! hope this helps enigma.

[clarkers]

Hi
That's very kind of you - I'll let you know how things go. Which mountney boss did you use?

[hopper]

sorry, not had chance get any pictures or measurement sof mine yet, will post back as soon as poss

[enigma]

sorry yeah it was a standard old school type,for the standard old leather type.they are i think £16.00 or so? it is the correct diameter and as i say i believe i drilled two holes using the wheel as a pattern.it has two roll pins for the indicator cancellation which can be shortened with a grinder to tune the length to fit.i have reduced these pins in the past to fit other minis.good luck.enigma

[scrog]

there should be a number in the boss mine is B25 but it does not have the pins for self canceling indicators this has fitted every mini i have had (some things you never sell)

[clarkers]

Hi
Thanks for taking the trouble to photograph it! According to Moto-lita, your boss is for pre-77 minis. Mine's a B45, supposed to be for minis after 77, but it's too deep, although it does have the indicator pins on it. I don't suppose you know the depth of your boss along the splines? Mine's 33mm, and I reckon if it was about 27mm it would fit.
Oh well - maybe I should get one like yours. Or get the neck of mine machined down. I'll give Mota-lita a call.
Thanks again