Installing Prelude wheel but it rubs - how to trim?

[Edison Carasio]

I'm installing my Prelude wheel (88 prelude I think) but the sides rub the steering column. How exactly should I make it fit? Someone said to "trim it a little" but I'm not clear how to or where. Do I use a file and file down the sides or do I file down the back of the wheel where it meets the hub?

[carotman]

I modified the steering column trim to make it flat.

I should take pictures of this.

[Edison Carasio]

What exactly did you do? Would maybe the Prelude column cover fit the 3G? I think the turn signal and wiper levers are in the same spot rougly. A spacer would make it fit but that might comprimise the integrity of the steering column and wheel fitment.

[stat1K]

which part is rubbing?

[Edison Carasio]

The sides of the Prelude wheel are rubbing the sides of the steering column. Like the 3g wheels is thinner and round at it's sides where as the Prelude wheel is thicker at it's side. I might have to try and get pics if I'm not making sense. The Prelude wheel fits the steering hub nicely but when the wheel turns, the sides of the wheels rub the part of the steering column cover that kinda hugs it.

[stat1K]

what is it rubbing on? steering column is a metal rod that is splined i doubt you mean that when you say it?

you mean it's rubbing on #29 and 32?

http://www.hondapartsnow.com/diagrams/large/steering-column-459256.png

if that's the case just trim that... personally i would install a nylon spacer, as long as it's tightened down i would say you'd be just fine.

[Edison Carasio]

29 and 32 it is. So you think just a spacer will be ok? This is a dumb question but is that just something I can grab at whatever auto parts store I hit up?

[greentee76]

I used a big thick washer to shim mine and loctited the nut. Actually I didn't loctite it originally and after a year or more it came loose on me one day. Nothing tragic happened but I still vote for loctite on the nut as it does not engage all the way with the spacer in there.

[carotman]

I modified #29 and #32 on my car so they're flat behind the steering wheel. You can't tell they've been modified.

[blazin3gen]

i used a dremil and filed it down to make it fit worked nice



I modified #29 and #32 on my car so they're flat behind the steering wheel. You can't tell they've been modified.

is what i did!

[stat1K]

you could cut that piece with a razor blade.

[Edison Carasio]

Could anyone give me a pic of what either your modified wheel or pieces 29 and 32 look like cutting?

Maybe I'll look for another nice looking OEM non-airbag wheel to install =/ but I think they all will rub.

[stat1K]

i would install a nylon spacer, 1/2" should be fine maybe even 1/8"... just make sure that the metal contact piece for the horn still touches the metal piece of the wheel, so that the horn will still work.

[markmdz89hatch]

need pixors.....

I just got one too. This is a really good looking wheel.

[stat1K]

i like mine better.

[LxAcc510]

dont trim 29 and 32, chop some shit off the back of teh prelude wheel, thats the right way to do it.

[stat1K]

how is chopping shit off of the steering wheel proper vs trimming the plastic bezel?

i don't have the prelude wheel so i don't know what is involved in trimming the wheel, at any rate it sounds more complicated than trimming some plastic pieces, unless of course the parts you trim on the wheel themself are plastic.

i would install a spacer and be done with all of this mess.

[carotman]

Chopping the steering plastic trims makes the thing look like shit. That's the ghetto way to do it.

The "proper way" is to trim the plastic bezel, reweld the plastic in place so it sits flat and repaint the bezel with satin black plastic trim paint.

[Edison Carasio]

This is too much work and I'm gonna mess something up. Guess it's stock wheel for me.

[stat1K]

well, if you want to sell the prelude wheel, shoot some pics and i might want it.

[SiR]

Don't give up on it. If you can swap an interior, the plastic column shroud is cake walk. You'll love the way it feels and looks great. I'm always a fan of "OEM" look.

[stat1K]

^ me too, in my civic i have a 1978 cvcc wheel. i actually just bought another one but it's in bad shape, i've got it all disassembled to repaint after i sand down the surface rust.

i don't think he should give up. i'm sure it's not THAT complicated but i just want him to post pics so we can help him a little more, i've never tried to do this before but it doesn't sound too hard.

[LxAcc510]

how is chopping shit off of the steering wheel proper vs trimming the plastic bezel?

i don't have the prelude wheel so i don't know what is involved in trimming the wheel, at any rate it sounds more complicated than trimming some plastic pieces, unless of course the parts you trim on the wheel themself are plastic.

i would install a spacer and be done with all of this mess.

I'm just sayin the way most of us did our lude wheels we just took a dremel and sawed off some plastic on the back of the wheel, and it wont look ghetto if you know how to sand/use a dremel

[stat1K]

^ makes sense, i don't know what the back of a prelude wheel looks like cus i don't have one with me but that's what i was asking, if it's just the plastic rear cover i'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to remove some extra.

[redaccordcoupe]

I taped mine off level pieces 29 and 32 and ground it with a drum sander flush. Backfilled the holes in the front and painted it with trim paint. And it looks mint.

[A18A]

i chopped my wheel too, less chance of the back of the wheel being seen than the steering column cover

[greentee76]

Really, an eighth inch thick washer will do the trick.

[Civic Accord Honda]

lol giving up ? just cut out the back of 29 and 32... its not hard... hell its probaly easier then changing the oil...

[MessyHonda]

i just used a sander to shave the back