Ok, so I bought a generic knockoff of the BellWorks RapFix quick disconnect hub off of eBay for less than 40 bucks shipped, to go with my Momo Race steering wheel.

40 dollars is really cheap compared to 300 dollars for the original (or 70 for the NRG version, or 200 bucks for the Japanese tuner versions). So is it any good?

Now, I mainly got it as a spacer for my steering wheel, since it's 2.5 inches thick, and I figured for this price, I might as well, since this way I can use my wheel as a decoration in my room again like I did before I installed it (plus, it's a bit harder to steal the car now...).

Now, are there any problems with the 40-dollar knockoff? Yes. Someone, the bearings they used are RUSTY! Now, it still works fine... just not nearly as smooth as you would expect from the better made versions. Maybe they're factory seconds? Some oil will probably fix the bit of noise it makes though, and maybe make it a bit smoother. The first time I took the thing apart (so I could install it), I basically had to rip it out... but after that it got a bit easier (especially after it's installed).

Also, there is NO play to the mechanism...which is amazing for an eBay knockoff. The ring's spring is VERY tight and there is a safety mechanism that keeps the wheel from just coming off (a button you have to hold down to let the ring come all the way back).


Now, the install was a bit of a PITA, since NONE of the little connector wires were worth a damn. I had to make my own like I did when I first installed the wheel (good thing I bought way too many connectors and way too much wire).

And while the portion that attaches to the hub goes on fairly easily, attaching the wires to the horn button, and getting the horn button to actually go in correctly is a MAJOR process of trial an error (ie, a PITA), since there's virtually no space between the prongs of the button and the prongs of the QD spacer (you'll have to bend the prongs or the connectors to give you any space).

One more probably is that I couldn't install the horn button properly because the inside diameter of the QD hub on the wheel side is too small to fit the normal MOMO grounding ring that holds the horn button. So, the button works fine, but it's sunk in quite a bit, which doesn't look right. Perhaps if I could make or find a suiteable spacer, I would be able to have it at the right depth.



Now, did installing a 2.5" spacer fix not being able to see the gauges? YES! I can now see the gauges in an entirely satisfactory manner, even while sitting in a fairly upgright position. If I was any shorter, or had a fixed bucket seat, the view of the gauges would be better than stock.

The leg room is amazing, the steering position is amazing (higher and closer = better, for me at least), and it's even easier to get into the car now (even with the wheel already on).

One problem is that now that I can sit more reclined, and at a proper distance from the pedals, I'm basically overextended my arm to reach 5th gear. A modified Miata short shifter, or even simply a shorter shift **** will fix this, but for the time being, I can simply hold the shifter like it's intended (a pistol grip), rather than putting my hand on top (I tend to switch back and forth between the two).

Also, you can't easily manipulate the signal switch with your fingers like you can with the stock position, but at least now I hope I won't be driving around with my blinkers on like I did when I couldn't see the signal indicators worth a crap (not to mention I can't hear them). This is a fairly small problem that will just take some getting used to.



Rating: 4.5/5
Overall: You can't go wrong for this price, if you have an aftermarket steering wheel, and still need more leg room, need to recline for headroom, or can't see your gauges. An iffy QD feature serves as bonus rather than a main attraction.


On another note, I bought it from a place called Genki Tuning. I ordered it nearly two weeks ago and it just now came in today (for something they said would take 4-5 days TOTAL). They didn't even respond to my two emails about it never showing up until a week ago, at which point they FINALLY called me (at like 8 PM) to tell me they were out of the color I had ordered (THEN WHY DID THEY MAKE A LISTING FOR IT?), and then it was still two more days till they shipped it (USPS Priotity, but it had better be for $17 in shipping, after a weeks delay). Also, the tracking number they gave me was valid, but it never worked right...

 

Today I take that back entirely... the little POS developed some serious steering wheel play out of no where.

I probably should have gone with a normal spacer... crap.

I think if I hadn't actually used the QD, it wouldn't have been a problem, but I swear it looks like it wore a serious grove into itself on both sides.

 

man, i was about to order. i really need all those bonus'es but real short on cash.

 

It would be fine if you never use the QD thing... I thought about having someone just weld it shut, except then I'd never be able to take it off (couldn't fit a wrench in there).

I guess I'm gonna have to buy a momo 15mm spacer (21 bucks shipped) and a 50mm spacer from eBay (32 bucks) and bolt them together. Won't be able to take it off any more, but I don't have 80 bucks for an NRG branded one (which claims no play, but I think the design might be inherently flawed, or at least, it requires EXTREMELY close tolerances, and very high quality materials).

It just so happens that 2.5" is the perfect thickness for a spacer (I can put my wrists on top of the wheel, which is the proper distance for a street car).

 

I have the NRG hub and have used it for over a year no problems whatsoever. Even been to 2 track days with it and no issues other than not being able to fit a plastic bezel ring under the horn button but my horn still works fine.