quick-release hub on stock wheel?

[eatonhong]

I'm having some health issues that make getting in and out of my '62 Lotus Seven a challenge. Has anyone used a quick release hub with a stock wheel?

 

Thanks, Joe

[7Westfield]

I couldn't find a diagram of the steering column in an S2, but if it's like my Westfield, you'll have difficulties. The wheel is too close to the dash for any QD adapter I've used. 

And, there's a flange welded to the end, that the wheel bolts onto, which would need to be cut off, and the wheel will end up closer to you.

 

If I were doing it, I'd certainly fab a new shaft to mount the QD on, and not muck up the original

 

check the ID of the QD, you might have to sleeve it to fit the shaft 

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

Joe, I have the same situation. I'm 81 and have a 1962 S2 with a standard wheel. I researched putting a quick release on the steering last year and never found a solution that would work - there is so little space between the wheel and the panel, and the adaptor would be a challenge to mount. This car was designed for English men who were malnourished during WW2, not post-war 73" Americans. I gave up. 

 

Upper body strength is one clue. One hand on the transmission tunnel and one on the "door" and lift. 

 

I'm sorry that I cannot be more encouraging. If you find a way, please share it.

[Timothy Keith-Lucas]

OK. Let's try again. Your steering shaft is 3/4", and this adaptor can be welded onto it. The shaft slides out easily once you release the semi-universal joint down at the steering pinion. But then, the hub on this quick release is only about 2.5" while center to center across the screw holes on your wheel is 2.6", so you'll need to get your friendly local machine shop to make a plate that adapts your wheel to this hub, complete with threaded holes. I think there is enough space to put it together without moving the wheel into your ribs, but before you pull the shaft out take some measurements because you might want to trim the shaft. 

 

need to  

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Aluminum-Quick-Release-Steering-Wheel-Hub-Splined-3-4-Inch,29178.html?_gl=1*1vk549l*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw--7UBhCpARIsAGJBptjYwhL47QqsrRSfCRHUv5uSe4V5NUse8GXgNZzVW7r0CTqpy-Z3c8EaAmyDEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD8-Mcm9VL9IJkvpcn9i4Ts_oR_Vp

[11Budlite]

When I had my S2 chassis, I ended up swapping out the stock fixed steering column for a complete later Caterham steering column assy. That included the upper and lower steering columns and the clamp assy. This added some adjustability to the steering wheel position and a bit of a safety factor as well. You could get the Caterham quick release upper steering column instead of the stock upper column so you could remove the steering wheel. Not cheap though. I bought some 3/4" cromoly tubing and welded the spline section of my quick release to the upper end and machined the lower end to accept the clamp assy. I forget what the wall thickness was but it fit well with the lower column. It could be an option for you.