Makin' the autotecnica boss fit MY

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Jan 14, 2010 7:00 pm

After eighteen months in the hobby box I have pulled out my autotecnica steering wheel boss stock number 910 (yet stamped with 9707 in it and cast in its plastic cover) as part of my NY resolutions

It went in there when I found it did not fit correctly, the counter sales guy not helpful and autotecnica reply did not come ( may have been due to my ISP)

OK some have said they have had fitment problems and do not recommend.

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I have found why the horn contacts did not reach the ring by about 3mm. The recess in the casting of the boss is 17mm and the diameter of the steering shaft below the splines is 19.95mm. This way from the top view the splines will then be fully employed as they are not as fitted out of the box

To fix the problem I need to get someone with a lathe to cut a nice square shoulder into the base of the boss just to the beginnings of the splines ~3mm @ 20mm diameter.

WTF should I be doin' this on top of the price of the boss $80, I dunno.

Surely, it is the only one listed for Brumby and 1984 MY's. The parts guy recknd must have been a difference in the years, but I got a 92 shaft from the wreckers to fiddle with and it is same. How is it that these things aren't altered at manufacturers. This car has been around 25 years !!

Gonna write to autotecnica with new email address and hope to get some helpful reply

May just link them into this post, so watch your comments gents

Suspicion that an error in labels/markings may have been made in warehousing or factory. The part # 910 is just in black marker pen on boss, 910 has been written over what looked like 908 - the listing for coarse spline 1985 on LEONE. The original box has a small white price tag like sticker rubber stamped 910, but underneath that I can see another stamped 908. Whether it has been corrected incorrectly I dunno....

phillatdarwin · Post by **phillatdarwin** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:50 am

when i buy my boss it wood not fit as well the taper was out buy about 2 mm in diameter so i just drilled the bottem wear the boss met the spline all fixed but wach out u do not remove to much like i did by about .5mm

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:13 am

Went to go just drill it, luckily my drills only step up to 13mm, a mate has gone on a break with his kids and taken his workshop keys with him. My main concern is it needs square recess not tapered for best workshop practice.

Phil, this was on your L Series was it ?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Jan 15, 2010 12:41 pm

Got on to a helpful individual at autotecnica when i rang them this arvo. Great when you can get to the source, beyond the sometimes not care so much retailer, yet he had the right answer in first place

It seems that Subaru kindly did more than one steering columns in the MY or MV BRUMBY and I have three of the ones this does boss not fit completely. This one is renamed CODE 910 here in Australia, and they have sold nearly 60 in past two years so the problem lies within the Subaru family. I was advised that they are aware of this problem and have warned their outlets that the 910 may not fit and if so return it for a refund, as they cannot help.

It's those nice little changes that Subaru make, to make a difference or satisfy authorities.

As I stubbornly want to fit my tidy little autotecnica wheel I shall decline the offer to return it and get it lathed up to remove excess which also involves the horn contact side clearance of the boss. So, it ain't autotecnicas fault

Well, that was easy, impatience lead to the old bastard file, trimmed off the excess and fitted wheel up nicely. Though I now find I did not ask whether the new bosss kit will fit my steering wheel, lucky for me it did. The same cannot be said for the sexy new horn button and its fit ring that goes between wheel and boss!! Things are different diameters. Fitted up old poxy looking horn button, shoved new sexy AutotecnicA sticker on and I am happy.

Surprised I did not try this little deed earlier, but did not wanna destroy the boss if it was wrong. Wheel is same external diameter as my hard old SAAS look a like wheel, yet it seems to be better shaped and positioned so I can see my upper speedo section and gauges from where I sit. The other wheel was a little of an obstruction.

Next.....

maxxair · Post by **maxxair** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 5:58 pm

im just mucking with boss kits atm too mate. i got my 'new' car regod, and couldnt wait to get rid of the boat tiller, to fit the autotechnica wheel which is hanging patiently on the wall while i build my brumby. it fits the brumby. but the L series has a finer spine and is fully different so i had to go get my old L series boss.

brumbys have more than one spine size too. wow. thats re-rickulas.

things to learn eh.

sublime · Post by **sublime** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 7:17 pm

I say this with tongue firmly in cheek, the simplest way to make an Autotechnica boss fit correctly is it to throw it out and buy a SAAS!

I have never come across a different spline on any MY/Brumby (or 'Ugly' for that matter) so I have my doubts there are two different types, except of course for the difference between models (MY/Brumby and the L Series).

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:54 pm

It is not the spline, it is just below. My splines are same as the boss. They do list a coarse spline for L Series too! When i got my GLTM it came with the wheel, on a boss that was only just making contact with the splines as the taper below was incorrect. I don't know if the boss was the correct one for L series or just one someone shoved on (partially)

With the L, i am happy runny a matching brown from my 87 TWagon.

sublime · Post by **sublime** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 11:47 pm

steptoe wrote:It is not the spline, it is just below. My splines are same as the boss.

Perhaps the difference has to do with the adjustable or non-adjustable steering column?

Subiegirl · Post by **Subiegirl** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:42 pm

OMG i had the exact same problem with my boss kit!! as i have no tools to cut into the boss kit, i just did a home job of removing the plastic off the lid of a moccona coffee jar (conveniently the perfect diameter), spraying it in matt black, cutting the lip off it and attaching it to the bottom of the boss kit that eliminates the unsightly gap, messed around with the horn contact and voila, as good as new. lol:D

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 4:03 pm

That may explain things if MY had adjustable columns _ I have never seen one and have never seen a different shaft. Maybe we accepted a lesser std of options and the rest or the world that got adjustable columns also got easy fit AutotecnicA steering wheel bosses

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:03 pm

This thread is worthless without pics!!!

The 84 touring wagon i had, had a height adjustable steering wheel.

sublime · Post by **sublime** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 7:11 pm

steptoe wrote:That may explain things if MY had adjustable columns _ I have never seen one and have never seen a different shaft.

My Gregorys manual lists (and shows pictures!) of the adjustable steering column for MY models. Perhaps this only appeared on Touring Wagons?

tex · Post by **tex** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:09 pm

I came across a few adjustable ones in edmonton canada but too dear to send back so I just grabbed the factory cruise control instead!