Disaster Averted

 This is going to be a short post, not one of my long-winded epics. 

Ok, "Disaster Averted."

Yay. Everything swapped over, and no broken bits

So yesterday I took my brand new swanky Guardian Designs steering wheel over to the lovely chaps at Wolf Performance to have it fitted...Yay!

Upon getting to their place, I was greeted by Danny and Kurtis, and we shared some canny banter, mainly me talking their lugs off in a manic fashion about my new book. I am excited about it, what can I say?

Anyhoo, my dad and I said farewell, we are off to Greggs for a couple of Greggs Dummies, some coffee, oh, and wait, I'll have a bacon and egg sandwich, hash browns and chuck in one of those chocolate doughnuts for good measure, I swear it's these steroids making me hungry all the time.

I've just finished me bacon sarnie when my phone rings. Ooh, it's Kurtis that didn't take long. I haven't even started my doughnut yet.

"Err, Glenn, a've got some bad news, that steering wheel is the wrong one," says Kurtis.

Me "Yer Joking." followed by a few redacted swear words.

"No", he says, " It's for a manual car, it hasn't got the cut-outs for your paddles." My car is for cripples, you see, an automatic.

"Ahh, reet, well, all come around to see you and pick up the steering wheel."

So off we go, and Kurtis explains he doesn't think we can modify the wheel. I am absolutely gutted, and thoughts of "Omg. I have just spent in excess of a grand on something I may now have to make into a wall clock," comes to mind.

But, and this is a huge but. I have been reading this book, it's called "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck." Now I don't know if it is this book, but lately, and since starting to read it, my fucks are very limited. So although I was disappointed, I didn't do what I usually do and go on and on and on, whining, until my dad says "Glenn will yer shut the fuck up whining, there's nowt you can do about it."

I even recognised that I had handled the disappointment in a much better way and discussed this with The Ern, and we both had a laugh over the irony of the situation.

I then fired off an email to Tomasz over at Guardian Designs explaining the issue. I was very surprised when he responded in about 30 minutes. On a Saturday, Tomasz is in Poland. 

Tomasz said I guess we both missed the fact that my car was an auto and needs the different parts to be fitted. But and here is an even bigger BUT. He told me not to worry, that the parts from my old steering wheel could be transferred over. I would then be able to fit my paddles and have the black inlays and the new leather wheel, just like I had purchased. Well, I was over the moon.

My dad ordered a trim removal kit, and that is what we have been doing today, changing all the parts over.

The airbag was a nightmare to get off. I was stressed when removing all the fiddly plastic bits, thinking Don't break, or snap. Oh, and I haven't been out for a ride in the car since fitting the steering wheel, so I hope it is aligned correctly, otherwise I will have to take it off again.

I learnt, I guess a valuable lesson over the last few days. Don't whine about stuff that you have no control over, and don't think too far into the future. 

Oh, and I guess I lied about this post not being too long, but you're here now, so...

Gaurdian Designs - Just sitting in the house going broom broom

 It must be about 6 weeks ago that I decided to treat my wee Abarth 124 Spider to a new, and I suppose some would call expensive and not needed, steering wheel. You see, I got my eye on a company called Guardian Designs, who are based in Poland and loved the look of the steering wheels they offered.

Guardian Designs Steering Wheel Abarth 124 Spider

 The wheels can be customised, and all you have to do is select the style of steering wheel that you would like, then go through the process of making it your own. There are lots of options from different materials like nappa leather, perforated nappa leather, alcantera, etc. Then there is thickness, grips, colours, and the list goes on.

I chose a Corsa D design, which has a flat bottom, and specced the wheel up with a chunkier size, opting for the GT at 120mm, alongside thumb rests. I also went for Sports Ferrari red stitching with a red Ferrari Noon marker, and the wheel is done in black Nappa leather in a seamless Pagani style.

Oh, and I also requested that the steering wheel spokes be painted a silk black, which came at an extra cost, but in my opinion was well worth it.

  

Beautiful stitching and finish

I know the design will not be to everyone's taste. I wanted something that looked pretty minimalist, so that is why I didn't go full on bling, with various materials and colours.

The black fins of the spokes makes a huge difference

Checking the steering wheel out, the finish is amazing. The one piece of leather wrapping the wheel is perfect, and the stitching looks fantastic. The wheel does feel a lot fatter than my original, so it is going to take some getting used to. Hard to tell at the moment how it will feel on the car, as I am waiting to get someone to fit it. So at the moment I have just sat on the sofa and pretended to drive my car, holding the wheel, obviously making the necessary "Broom Broom" noises of my Abarth.

Just a little more info. As mentioned, the steering wheel took about 6 weeks to arrive. I didn't have to send in my own wheel. The time frame is so that all the custom work can be carried out. Communication with Tomaz over at Guardian Designs was excellent; he answered all my queries, and I paid by PayPal with no problems for the extra work and the painting of the spokes.  I was kept updated on the expected delivery of the package coming via FedEx, and when it arrived, it was very well boxed up, with protective foam and a cover over the wheel.  Basically, all that is required is the old wheel to be removed and the new one plugged in and positioned and tightened into place. I have been advised as the splines are so fine on the steering wheel that I will need my car aligned.    

Boxed up well

Wheel is protected with a cover

Foam on the wheel rim to prevent it getting damaged

  Once I get the steering wheel in place, I shall post some more pictures and be able to offer my thoughts if I have made the correct choice in getting the thicker rim.

Oh, and I thought I would also mention something else to do with my Abarth. After having her serviced, the mechanic mentioned some of the suspension bushes were wearing and could do with being replaced. I wasn't expecting the shock I got when I started researching just how many of these bushes there were, and just how much the job would cost.

So after having my car down to Mazda Dudes at Darlington (The Abarth is on the same design as a Mazda ND, and these guys know their stuff) and discussing the options, I came home and started looking into replacing all of the bushes, both front and rear. Initially, trying to find a complete kit was a bit of a ballache. Fiat/Abarth, from what I hear, tries to tell you that the bushes in the rear hubs cannot be replaced, and reading on forums, some people have been quoted absolutely astronomical prices to replace the hubs with new ones, something in the region of £2500, then the labour to fit them.

Example of Poly Bushes

Anyhoo, I have discovered a company called Polybush.co.uk, and they appear to have front and rear Poly Bush kits. The price is just a shade of £850 for both kits, and then of course I will have to sort the fitting out, hopefully with Mazda Dudes. As I intend to keep my wee Abarth, I figure it's money well spent. Now, just need to save up a bit more, wonga.