Mod your MS Sidewinder Steering Wheel Pedals (2)

Originally Posted on January 17, 2016

Following on from my steering wheel pedals article part 1, I will now explain the modification to my steering wheel pedals in more detail…

My version of this hack is fundamentally Rabid Stew’s version 1, replacing the metal posts with a switch, but additionally I disconnect any link to the Z axis whilst in “mod” mode.

As I am in the UK, I procured my components from Maplin Electronics, but I am sure you can find equivalents in your location quite easily. Other than the wire, which was the most basic equipment wire I could find, I used a 4 pole dual throw toggle switch – 4PDT which provides 4 inputs with the ability to switch between 2 different outputs. When I was originally working out the details, I felt it only needed a 3 pole dual throw switch, but couldn’t find one easily – however, I am glad I went with the 4PDT as it has also allowed me to turn off the Z axis when not in use.

Original steering wheels pedals wiring

This is what my pedals’ wiring looked like before I started the modifications:

And the equivalent wiring diagram (warning, the Ax references used by me differ to the references used by Rabid Stew, but both match up colour-wise)

Alternative wiring

This is how the wiring needs to look to make it work in the alternative mode – without any additional switches, in fact this would be very similar to Rabid Stew’s configuration – with perhaps the addition that I completely disconnected the Z axis.

Physical switch placement

I decided that I wanted the switch located on the top of the unit, I had seen one other person (via the YouTube comments) who placed it on the back – this seemed to me that it would get it the way (particularly if storing the pedals) and could therefore be damaged. Therefore I thought that as the pedals themselves protrude from the top of the plastic, why not place the switch there too, and there was just enough space next to the RJ11 socket to place the switch.

New wiring

Here is how the wiring looked are after modification:

And the final wiring diagram including all the necessary adjustments, and new switch.

How to configure and use the steering wheel pedals

Having applied the modifications, it is necessary to follow a couple of procedures to use the pedals properly.

1. You need to depress the brake pedal and keep it so whilst you plug the USB cable into your PC – keep the pedal depressed until you have loaded the game you intend to play.
2. When you switch the pedals between the two different modes, it is necessary to re-calibrate the pedals within the Windows control panel, otherwise you will experience some very odd effects. Use the “Set up USB game controllers” item from the control panel and follow the re-calibration procedure.

Once all this done – go ahead and enjoy your new pedal freedom! I have had success with Farming Simulator 15, and Spintires – I haven’t yet tried any other wheel-based games.

List of components purchased:

• Basic equipment (Maplin code BL00A) – £2.79 each (I actually bought 4 different colours which provides plenty for future projects)
• 4 pole dual throw toggle switch – 4PDT (Maplin code FH08J, Amazon equivalent) – £3.99