How to Extend Your Steering Wheel Reach: Spacers, Boss Kits, and Quick Releases Explained

ByKenji Alvarez

Two ways to move your steering wheel closer

You have two options. The simplest is a steering wheel spacer: an aluminum ring that sits between your boss kit and the wheel, pushing everything 50–60mm toward you. No moving parts, nothing to go wrong. The other route is a bolt-on quick release hub, which does the same job but adds a detach mechanism in the process. If you’re on the fence about wanting a QR, the second option makes sense even if you rarely use the release function. It’s not much more work to fit.

The plain spacer

Spacers are the cheapest and most reliable way to close the gap. OMP make a 60mm unit in CNC-machined aluminum that bolts between a standard 6-bolt 70mm PCD boss and the wheel. That’s the same bolt pattern used by Sparco, Momo, Sabelt, and most other aftermarket wheels. TASAN Racing make a 50mm version that’s widely available if you want something slightly shorter.

No horn contacts, no electrical pass-through, no mechanism to wear out. If you genuinely don’t need a quick release, this is the path of least resistance.

Bolt-on quick release hubs

A bolt-on QR hub replaces the face of your existing boss kit. The female half bolts onto your stock boss adapter; the male half bolts to the back of the steering wheel. The two lock together via a splined connection, and a collar releases them when you want the wheel off.

The key advantage over buying an entirely new vehicle-specific QR boss is that you keep your existing boss kit. The quick release just bridges between that and the wheel. Useful if you ever want to move the setup to a different car.

Sparco

The Sparco bolt-on quick release (015R98R) is widely regarded as the benchmark at this price point. CNC-machined alloy, precision-cut spline, FIA and SFI approved. Vorshlag, a US motorsport prep shop that has tested several brands side by side, found it the only one with genuinely zero play in the connection. Available from Demon Tweeks and GSM Performance in the UK.

OMP

OMP’s bolt-on quick release uses a dual-prong interface rather than a traditional spline. Spring-loaded roll pins allow one-handed release. It’s lightweight, widely stocked, and typically a little cheaper than the Sparco. Solid quality for the money.

Sabelt’s own unit

If you’re already running a Sabelt wheel, it’s worth knowing Sabelt make their own bolt-on quick release. The M220SR6GRN is Group N spec and FIA approved, designed specifically for Sabelt’s 6-slot wheel range. GSM Performance in the UK stocks it alongside the Sparco and OMP alternatives, so you can compare in one place.

Budget quick releases

Generic units are everywhere and some survive track days without drama. The consistent complaint is steering play: a slight rotational looseness in the spline that registers as vagueness at the wheel, especially mid-corner. For anything beyond the occasional casual outing, spend the extra and go with a named brand.

Steering play: the part most people underestimate

Adding any component between the boss and the wheel is a potential source of play. A plain spacer is a static piece of metal, so this isn’t usually a concern. With a quick release, the spline tolerance is the variable. Cheaper units use looser tolerances to make the mechanism easy to release; that same looseness is what causes the vague on-centre feel.

If you fit a QR and notice rotational slop, check the torque on all the mounting bolts first. A loose bolt mimics a bad spline connection and is an easy fix before you assume the unit itself is at fault.

Road legality and scrutineering

In the UK a detachable steering wheel is an MOT failure on a road-registered car. For a dedicated track or competition vehicle it’s fine. Scrutineers at club motorsport events are used to QR setups. FIA or SFI certification matters under Motorsport UK regulations; for open track days it’s not mandatory but is a useful indicator of build quality.

Some competition regulations also require the steering wheel to be re-attached before the car moves. Worth checking your series rulebook if you’re competing.

Choosing the right depth

Most bolt-on quick releases add roughly 50–70mm of depth between boss and wheel. A dedicated spacer adds its stated dimension exactly. If you need more reach than one component can provide, you can stack a spacer with a QR, but that creates more connection points. One added component is always better where you have the choice.

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