Loosen steering wheel?

[AZDJedi]

Hello fellow Mazda owners

I had my 3 in the shop for a few days cause some fruit backed into me and dented my door. $1400 later, of his money , I got my car back and it was SOOOO nice to drive it again.

However, in the meantime I was given an '04 Malibu to drive. Not a bad car, had some nice features, but I'd never buy it . One thing I did like about it was the steering wheel was really loose and easy to turn.

Is it possible to make my wheel like that?

Also, know of anything to soften up the wheel, it's kinda of grainy. My last car, Accord, had a leather wheel and I didn't realize how much I'd miss that until this pleather one.

Oh, one more thing. I've noticed my brakes squeek a bit, have since day 1, and I was awaiting a finale on the TSB for that problem, but since I drove the Malibu and noticed the same sort of sound I'm beginning to 2nd guess whether mine are normal or not. Is the squeek really loud or what; has anybody had this problem and can give more descriptive symptoms?

Bodi

 

[anthony2558]

I dont think so. I believe that the Chevy has full power stearing and the 3's have electro hydraulic power assist stearing.

 

[Da 6]

didn't you guys get leather steering wheels in base model?

 

[Mikey444]

nope, only in the GT

 

[Da 6]

yeah with electrical stering not shure if you could swap it out of a 3s unless someone was already sucessful? I testdrove the 3s every package avalable under the sun so I realy can't tell what the 3i felt like.

 

[majic]

but AZDJedi has (in his profile) Car: Mazda3 GT Sport so it should be a leather steering wheel..

maybe he's saying it's not as leather-y as he'd like it to be..

 

[AZDJedi]

but AZDJedi has (in his profile) Car: Mazda3 GT Sport so it should be a leather steering wheel..

maybe he's saying it's not as leather-y as he'd like it to be..

So it is!

I just checked Mazda.ca and I do have leather wrapped wheel and shift nob. Who knew, lol. Then yes, majic, you are correct, it's not leather-y enough...compared to my Accord. Oh well, if that's what I get then that's what I get. Maybe I should put on more hand lotion

 

[Da 6]

Sounds wierd but I had to get use to my steeringwheel too..the stitiching at first gave me caluces(SP?) when letting the whel slip thru my fingers after completing a turn. Try armoral on the wheel and shifter...let it sit..AND WIPE IT OFF!