MX5 Steering Wheel

[The Moose]

I just bought a 1996 MX5 (30k miles!!).

The previous owner fitted an aftermarket steering wheel, but gave me the original. I would like to fit the original wheel to the car as the new one is a little big!!

Does anyone have any pages from a workshop manual/info that might help me out with this?? (Beer tokens provided!!)

I am loathed to give it a go with no instructions as I understand the original has an airbag and have no idea about this - how to hook it up etc.

Any help would be great.

Cheers

The Moose

[MX-5 Lazza]

If the original does have an airbag DON'T TRY TO FIT IT YOURSELF! You will have to get a main dealer or at least a very competent independent dealer to do it. They contain an explosive charge and are very dangerous to play around with.

[bluetone]

First thing I did when I got mine was swap the original wheel out for an aftermarket one. I found the original a bit too large and it had way too much give in it; gave a certain rubberiness to the steering feel I didn't like at all. The replacement R-Active jobbie is MUCH nicer to use

https://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_reviews_info.ph...

Edited by bluetone on Tuesday 24th March 20:24

[Chris71]

Just a thought - are there any legal issues that surround fitting a non-airbag 'wheel?

[bluetone]

Chris71 said:

Just a thought - are there any legal issues that surround fitting a non-airbag 'wheel?

Nope.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think that if someone else is killed or injured as a result of your removing a safety device you could well be on dodgy ground but I don't think there are and legal issues with removing an airbag.

[bluetone]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I think that if someone else is killed or injured as a result of your removing a safety device you could well be on dodgy ground but I don't think there are and legal issues with removing an airbag.

I disagree (though am by no means an expert) - if you had a steering wheel with 'Airbag' written on it that did not in fact contain an airbag, that could be dodgy. If it isn't marked as such then it's at the drivers risk?

Edited by bluetone on Thursday 26th March 11:48

[MX-5 Lazza]

There would be warning messages on the sun-visor and possibly even on the side windows.
There would also be a dashboard warning light which, if the airbag was removed/disabled would be lit.

You have to remember that we are living in a society where people try to sue tobacco companies for giving them cancer

[The Moose]

Ok there is a light on the dash - 'Air Bag' but that is it. Anyway, I have had the wheel changed over and it infact didn't have a 'bag which I was quite surprised about after seeing the light!!

Cheers for the advice

The Moose

[Herman Toothrot]

MX-5 Lazza said:

There would also be a dashboard warning light which, if the airbag was removed/disabled would be lit.

Not if you've taken the bulb out I removed my momo air bag wheel as pointed out with harnesses in a track car its pointless.

[MX-5 Lazza]

Herman Toothrot said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

There would also be a dashboard warning light which, if the airbag was removed/disabled would be lit.

Not if you've taken the bulb out I removed my momo air bag wheel as pointed out with harnesses in a track car its pointless.

And that's where you start walking on dodgy ground. Another driver might drive the car knowing that it's a model with airbags and assume that as there is no warning light that the airbag system is working. After an accident they can try to sue you for removing a safety system without any warnings that it's been removed/disabled.

I know nothing about this subject and doubt this would ever happen - I'm just attempting to be "devils advocate". I just know what the current situation is like with people being sued for the most ridiculous things.

In my own car I have replaced the stock Mk2.5 seats with Elise seats which disables the passenger airbag (there is an occupancy sensor in the passenger seat on Mk2.5) so I'm in a similar position. The warning lights are still active so I get 2 lights; Airbag disabled and Airbag malfunction (flashing).

[bluetone]

The Moose said:

Ok there is a light on the dash - 'Air Bag' but that is it. Anyway, I have had the wheel changed over and it infact didn't have a 'bag which I was quite surprised about after seeing the light!!

Cheers for the advice

The Moose

So I guess a previous owner had the same idea

[Herman Toothrot]

They'd have to be very thick to think mines got an airbag :-

[bluetone]

Herman Toothrot said:

They'd have to be very thick to think mines got an airbag :-

Hmm, I want to do this to mine as well but need to win the Lottery first