Replacing OE steering wheel

[fxpthl]

OK all of you Miata freaks, I am in need of some advise/suggestions/etc. about changing my tired old stock steering wheel. I do prefer keeping my old 97 as stock as possible so here is my dilema. Is it possible to purchase a new stock steering wheel complete with the airbag? If so, where do I shop? Is this a do-it-yourself project? So there it is, no big deal I'm hoping. Let's hear it now from the "peanut gallery"! Oops, that shows my age! Only we old farts know what that is. Respond none the less and thanks

 

[CorkSport]

That is going to be tough to find a mint steering wheel. The airbag unbolts from the steering wheel itself so the cost shouldn't be too crazy.

-Derrick

 

[fxpthl]

steering wheel

Thanks CorkSport for your quick response. Tell me this, if you can, if I go ahead and retrofit with a newer style wheel without the airbag, what do I do with the electrical/mechanical from the airbag? Thanks again.

 

[Deatschwerks]

What about retro fitting a newer wheel (maybe NB1/NB2?) and update that interior a little. ...and it would be subtle enough, especially to those not familiar with Miatas.

 

[kcbhiw]

The Nardi NB steering wheel with bag looks quite good in an NA. FWIW, it doesn't conflict at all with the interior styling of the later NAs.

 

[WRCprotege]

lots of people remove the stock streering wheel on the NA cars, if your tall, its almost a must, this makes it very easy to find great used ones, my OEM sets in the garage in a box with 81k of use, this is common.. the other option is to go for the new NB miata (99 etc) wheel.. its looks MUCH better than the NA wheel, its a nardi, and you still have air bags.. i think these go 100-150 used.. i just have a nardi wheel in mine , no air bag

heres a pics a NA 94-97 dash with a protege wheel

 

[fxpthl]

Steering Wheel

Thanks WRCProtege, the phots really tells it all. I do, however, want to maintain the air bag capability to the replacement wheel. Am I barking up the wrong tree or what?

 

[mazdadude]

Thanks WRCProtege, the phots really tells it all. I do, however, want to maintain the air bag capability to the replacement wheel. Am I barking up the wrong tree or what?

The NB wheel swap/retrofit is easy to do. However, there have not been any tests to see if the NB Airbags will fire as required when connected to the NA system. They are different SRS versions, and the NB bags are depowered compared to the NA explosive charge. There are many discussions on this topic in one of the other forums, and to this date, there has yet to be anyone willing to do the test.(poke)

So, Option #1, if airbag is important, stay stock, and have wheel recovered, even repadded a little thicker if that is what you want. Or find a better replacement from one of the Miata chop-shops.

Option #2, If airbag is not important, and ease of swap/stock look is important, then the NB wheel swap would be nice.

Option #3, If airbag and stock look not important, get yourself a smaller, fatter, thicker momo, or sparco, or other high end steering wheel, hub kit, and put your stock wheel on the shelf until you need it again.


Cost:
Option #1 ~$30-150
Option #2 ~$30-150
Option #3 ~$150-300

 

[fxpthl]

Steering wheel change-out

I think I'll go with Option #3. I don't really need the airbag, especially if changing it out might not give the desired safety factor. It is more than the look, as we all know. It is that feeling of the car attaced to the wheel you attached to the wheel! I think we all understand THAT feeling. Thanks to all who have responded.

 

[mx-p5]

this is also an option. . . .

Although he's got all 3 generations in his interior. lol

This is an NA

 

[fxpthl]

Wheel is gone along with the air bag. Air bag light is still flashing at me! How do I make it go away?

 

[mazdadude]

If you disconnect the airbag warning light bulb on the instrument cluster, then you will get a very annoying beeping sound.

There is a resistor, or a module that you can plug into the airbag connector to fool the computer into thinking that the airbag is still there.

There are a few companys that make the steering wheel hub kits, that also sell these. IIRC they are in the 5-15$ range.

The cheapest method would be to put some electrical tape over the airbag light on the instrument cluster.

 

[kcbhiw]

If you disconnect the airbag warning light bulb on the instrument cluster, then you will get a very annoying beeping sound.

There is a resistor, or a module that you can plug into the airbag connector to fool the computer into thinking that the airbag is still there.

There are a few companys that make the steering wheel hub kits, that also sell these. IIRC they are in the 5-15$ range.

The cheapest method would be to put some electrical tape over the airbag light on the instrument cluster.

Or you could just unplug the two connectors that are attached to the blue airbag controller under the dash (in addition to removing the bulb) and all will be well.