In most cases, no. On a cockpit with a matching bottom mount, you bolt the Thrustmaster T598 base directly to the wheel deck and leave the angled plate in the box. Thrustmaster's own manual describes this route: attach the base to the cockpit with the four screw threads under the base. The plate adds height and an extra joint, and both cost you a little precision.
The plate still has its place, though. Below, you learn what it was made for, when it helps and how to mount the T598 directly in a clean and safe way.
What is the T598 base plate for?
The plate is mainly a desk solution, not a cockpit solution.
Made for desks and clamps
On a desk, the T598 needs something to grab the table edge. The plate gives the clamp a wide, flat surface and tilts the base toward you. That angle makes sense on a desk, because you sit higher than in a racing seat and look down at the wheel.
Why it adds height
Owners on Reddit note that the plate raises the whole wheelbase. In a cockpit, the wheel deck already sits at a designed height for your seat. Extra centimetres push the rim closer to your chin and the dash out of your line of sight.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Red
Why does direct mounting feel better?
Every extra layer between the motor and the frame adds a tiny bit of play.
Fewer joints, less movement
With the plate, the force travels from the base into the plate and then into the wheel deck. That makes two joints instead of one. Under 5 Nm of constant torque plus overshoot, each joint flexes a fraction. Bolt the base straight onto the deck and the force goes directly into the aluminium.
A lower wheel suits a racing position
A direct mount keeps the rim lower and closer to your hands. Your arms bend at a relaxed angle, your shoulders stay down and you see over the rim. That position is easier to hold during a long race.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - White
When does the plate still help?
There are a few honest reasons to keep using it.
Three situations
Use the plate when the holes of your wheel deck do not line up with the T598 threads. Also use it on a wheel stand without a matching pattern, or when you switch between desk and stand every week. In every other case, the direct mount wins. Not sure about your deck? Our guide on bottom mount, front mount or side mount shows the differences.
How do you bolt the T598 straight to a cockpit?
Direct mounting takes about ten minutes when you prepare well.
Check the hole pattern first
Thrustmaster publishes a drawing called T598 Base only (Size + Threaded holes for cockpits) on its support page. Compare it with your wheel deck before you buy screws. On a SIMGASM cockpit, choose the Bottom Mount variant, which lists Thrustmaster among the supported brands.
Use the right screws
Pick screws that match the threads and stay within the maximum depth from the Thrustmaster manual. A screw that is too long presses into the housing. Owners on Reddit found that standard M8 rig bolts are too thick for the T598 holes, so check the size first. Our article on which bolts and T nuts hold an aluminium sim racing rig together explains the common sizes on profile rigs.
Tighten in a cross pattern
Hand tighten all four screws first. Then tighten them in a cross pattern, a little at a time, so the base sits flat. SIMGASM founder Johan Akkerman worked as a technical specialist and workshop manager for Mercedes Benz and Jaguar, and the same workshop habit applies here: even pressure beats brute force. The Hobby assembly guide shows the right bolt tension step by step.
SIMGASM | Hobby Aluminum Sim Racing Cockpit - Blue
What about the rest of the build?
The wheel mount is only one part of a solid setup.
Think about the whole frame
A direct mount only helps when the frame under it is stiff. The SIMGASM Hobby uses a 40 × 40 mm main profile and supports direct drive up to and including 16 Nm, so the T598 sits well inside its limits. Building takes about two hours with the tools in the box. Wondering if you need a cockpit at all? Read does the Thrustmaster T598 need a cockpit, or browse all T598 compatible cockpits.
Quick answers about the T598 plate
Here are short answers to the questions we hear most.
Do I need to drill holes for the T598?
Not on a cockpit with a matching bottom mount. The base has four threaded holes underneath, so you bolt it straight on.
Does the plate reduce force feedback?
It does not weaken the motor, but the extra joint and height add a little flex. You notice it most in sharp kerb effects.
Can I reuse the plate later?
Yes. Keep it in a safe place. It is handy if you ever race on a desk again, for example during travel.
Want to learn more? The SIMGASM experts are happy to help.
