4 replies to this topic

[luis85]

I have a 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS i want to install hand controls for. I was jus looking for any information about what kind of hand controls are good, are they expensive, is the equipment tough to install, are there any specific brands that are good. im pretty much looking for any advice. im new to my injury, t10 complete, less than a month ago, and dont know too much yet.

[jerzy]

luis85, on Aug 15 2009, 09:11 AM, said:

I have a 1998 Cadillac Seville SLS i want to install hand controls for. I was jus looking for any information about what kind of hand controls are good, are they expensive, is the equipment tough to install, are there any specific brands that are good. im pretty much looking for any advice. im new to my injury, t10 complete, less than a month ago, and dont know too much yet.

well, in the [fragrant] state of nj where i dwell, one cannot purchase new handcontrols directly from the manufacturer...instead, one must purchase them through - and have them installed by - one of the 4 or 5 state certified major installers/vendors [i.e. drivemaster, fun truckin', et al]...before doing so, it would be imnsfho very wise for you to be evaluated by your local rehab's driving instructor and while doing so, try out a few different hand control models...
i myself shall soon be in the market for a new set of controls [i need them slightly modified with an extra 'appendage' at the handle on account of being a quad] for my rod and although i've been making do with the typical 'push/pull' type over the past 15 years or so, i'd really like to try out the type which one presses directly down on the handle [instead of pulling towards oneself] for acceleration and pushes for braking; i believe that an italian company came out with that concept ..that type lessens the fatigue on one's arm/shoulder during long drives plus it allows one to use throttle and braking simultaneously which in turn makes it possible to do standing 'burn outs' hehehe...
};->

you'll save a significant amount of money of course by buying used controls from a private party, but that might not be the best way to go if ya haven't had any actual experience of driving w/hand controls...i'd urge ya to at least set up a few road tests with your local rehab in order to try out a few different models, plus it can be tricky to properlyinstall such for a safe reliable, long term use...my current ones do not return the gas pedal back to idle anymore when i lift off the throttle, and i have to always give my controls a slightest of yanks at full stop in order to bring my idle back to proper rpm...i've had my local mechanic, as well as my mechanic friend, adjust them and it worked for a short time but i will now need the full adjustment/reinstallation of my controls by a vendor who knows intimately the way to properly set them up...

and there are other important issues such as leg/foot clearance, et al...i've found myself on several occasions watching with near terror as the ass of the car in front of me gets closer very quickly while i'm desperately trying to punch a hole in my firewall pushing the brake pedal with all of my strength as my car's engine screams at 3k+ rpm and tires are burning hehe...the culprit in such hairy situations is my foot getting stuck on the edge of my gas pedal and one needs to quickly grab one's leg an yank it away from the pedal but it seems counterintuitive to take one's hand of the wheel while one's about to make a garage out of the ass of a car in front of ya hehehe...

then, there are the gas/brake controls built into the steering wheel in form of smaller 'layered' wheels [on top and behind the steering wheel] which i think others here have started a separate topic on...

the hand controls are very important to one's transportation and i'd suggest that you'll do some significant 'hands on' research prior to a decision to puchase a set with which you'll live for the next several years....

Edited by jerzy, 24 August 2009 - 07:18 PM.

[luis85]

thanks for the reple, that was a lot of info. i just found out i have to do min 6 lessons with the dmv then i get a perscription to give the dealer. i did find a local dealer in east hartford who instals sure grip hand controls.

[Texaswheelz]

Yeah I'm sure every where is different. When I got my first car about 8 months after my injury, I bought it from GM and they installed the hand controls free of charge. I then went to the DMV and took the test, they didn't even comment on me needing hand controls or anything. Just as long as I could pass the driving test they gave me.

[Jax]

Check out Wells Engberg. Love the CT-100.