Date:         Tue, 20 Jun 2006 16:57:41 -0400
Reply-To:     Florian Speier <groups.florian@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Florian Speier <groups.florian@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      How do I know my new aftermarket steering wheel is safe?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hi group,

I recently bought and installed a sports steering wheel in the westy. I
bought it as a complete kit on german ebay from a seller who assembles kits
for vanagons in a way they are german tuv approved (the blinkers stop
automatically).
installation would have been a bliss if in the detailed info one would not
have been required to take off the aluminum casting that holds the key lock
and the plastic washer piece underneath and put an addtl spring on the
steering column underneath it, to "make it safe". thenn i screwed the wheel
back on.
Now I just dont know if the upper and lower steering column still interlock
enough to be safe or if they might be able to pop out if the spring
compresses more? or something.  how much should they interlock, and has
anyone else experience with this mod when adding an aftermarket steering
wheel?

thanks a lot
florian