Steering wheels

househead · July 19, 2019, 15:05

So, I think I fancy an aftermarket wheel. Main reason being that the stock one is uncomfortably close to my knees in a comfortable position. It's also a tiny bit far to reach.

As I understand, the standard wheel is 370mm, is that right?

I think I'd probably look at 330-350mm sized wheels, 300mm just seems too small. What are other people here using?

What are the relative benefits of spacers vs dished wheels? Also, will I need to buy a steering wheel boss?

Just trying to get a feel for what's available and reasonably priced. I want something decent but not competition level!

Any suggestions or other considerations? There seems to be a lot more to it than I'd imagined!

wotugonado · July 19, 2019, 16:27

I'm not sure how the new mot rules work regarding the air bag being removed. There's a thread somewhere where a few lads had the original steering wheel flat bottomed and retrimmed which looked really good, and just for the hassle free life Come mot time, would be my preferred route.

househead · July 19, 2019, 16:31

Quote from: wotugonado on July 19, 2019, 16:27I'm not sure how the new mot rules work regarding the air bag being removed. There's a thread somewhere where a few lads had the original steering wheel flat bottomed and retrimmed which looked really good, and just for the hassle free life Come mot time, would be my preferred route.

Yea I did wonder about that. I was hoping/assuming it would not be too much of a job to replace it for the MOT once a year.

I'm actually really not a fan of D shaped wheels but thanks for the tip anyway, certainly worth some consideration.

wotugonado · July 19, 2019, 16:39

No worries.

Well if you want an aftermarket wheel you definitely need a boss, I wouldn't skimp on this if it were me and would look at a well respected brand, not Chinese tat, for obvious reasons.
You also need a resistor to fool the airbag sensor.

househead · July 19, 2019, 16:46

Thanks. I'll ask @snazzle all about the resistor. He loves those 🤣

Alex Knight · July 19, 2019, 16:56

I'm using a 350mm Personal Neo Grinta in suede.

Not had any MOT issues, as the Momo boss I'm using comes with an airbag resistor.

I did have the same wheel in 330mm prior to this, but found it a little small for my tastes, so sold it and bought the 350mm version:

househead · July 19, 2019, 16:58

That does look nice and subtle!

I was just reading somewhere that if the car had an airbag in the original wheel, then it's an MOT fail if it's not present. Are you going somewhere friendly or is that just plain wrong?

Nice tip to get one with the resistor built in

Alex Knight · July 19, 2019, 17:04

See section 13: https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Introduction.html#section_2

I've never had a problem at MOT time - I suspect only the most anal of MOT testers would fail it.

househead · July 19, 2019, 17:16

Quote from: Alex Knight on July 19, 2019, 17:04See section 13: https://www.mot-testing.service.gov.uk/documents/manuals/class3457/Introduction.html#section_2

I've never had a problem at MOT time - I suspect only the most anal of MOT testers would fail it.

So just tell them my fictitious auntie in a fictitious wheelchair also drives the tiny 2 seater sportscar then 🤣

Gaz mr-s · July 19, 2019, 18:56

I'm going to putting an aftermarket on mine. You should look for a boss that collapses if impacted. Some of the cheaper ones are solid or cast alloy, - they won't. You could be on dodgy ground with your insurance company...bear it in mind.
In terms of feel, it's a very personal thing. A decent 2nd hand leather wheel can be got on ebay for £25.If it's fab it's a bargain, if you don't like it you've learned something.

shnazzle · July 20, 2019, 00:10

Quote from: househead on July 19, 2019, 16:46Thanks. I'll ask @snazzle all about the resistor. He loves those 🤣

Cheeky pest.

I've considered an aftermarket wheel but had two reasons to pass
1) I've just spent a fortune getting my interior incl steering wheel retrimmed.
2) it's a daily. I need to think about safety. I want that airbag. Only way I'd do no airbag is if I had a harness and associated seats. See point 1.

A smaller wheel wouldn't go amiss at times

Petrus · July 20, 2019, 01:00

Quote from: shnazzle on July 20, 2019, 00:102) it's a daily. I need to think about safety. I want that airbag.

You do realise that is is not an aír bag but a rocket fuel bag with explosive ignition device?!
That they are not an obligatory thing in cars because of them not being all that safe?!
That it is only that you are not allowed to remove them when OEM fitment; that it is basically a non optional option costing you extra money?!
The seat belt and tensioner are quite enough. The airbag is overkill; you will even have bruised ribs from the belt with the air bag exploded.
Imo you are safest off with the grippiest rubber, better, brighter headlights and louder pipes ;-)

Bossworld · July 20, 2019, 21:37

I've got the Momo collapsible boss which came with the airbag cancel resistor, and a horn retainer ring that I was unable to use. This retains indicator cancel functionality - ignore posts from ten years ago when people were having to hack bits off, I don't think there was an MR2 specific one at the time.

I have a legit 300mm OMP wheel. Frankly, it's too small but any larger would have negated the reason I needed a change of wheel. Dished may help, but then you have to reach around (ooh err missus) for your indicators and wipers.

Pics are in my readers ride I think, or if not, run a search for steering wheels and you should find it.

Lee Manifield did a good YouTube video on the swap process. The only things I'll add are that the two captive screws are a bitch to remove and you'll save yourself a certain amount of agro if you have access to an impact driver and socket adaptor to undo the centre nut (an impact wrench would be overkill). You'll also need to snap off the plastic on the stock horn connector and just plug the brass thing into the connector.

I also remain unconvinced that the Momo boss splines are positioned exactly the same as the stock wheel - my steering wheel is slightly more off centre than before but I think the splines are too course to correct it.

Depending on the wheel you buy, you may need to fashion up a grounding wire for the horn (I made my own). I couldn't fit the retainer ring onto my wheel but I've noticed in this hot weather that my horn button has come loose.

Avoid copy steering wheels (look at YouTube videos, they're frightening how easily they bend), and avoid the £20 bosses on eBay, they're cheap £5 tat from aliexpress

househead · July 21, 2019, 17:26

Awesome, thanks for your thoughts and experience on that @Bossworld ! Going to do some searching and pick something out then I'll update here. I think I know the YouTube vid you're referring to!

james_ly · July 22, 2019, 10:29

I've got a 320 OMP wheel. It is small but you get used to it quickly, similar size to a Lotus Elise wheel. Wouldn't go smaller than that though

househead · July 22, 2019, 12:36

Does the MOMO boss affect the passenger airbag in any way?

Just looking at this ebay listing which says it disabled both airbags...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOMO-HUB-ADAPTOR-BOSS-KIT-FOR-MOMO-STEERING-FOR-TOYOTA-MR2-ROADSTER-YARIS/262826102682?epid=3028258047&hash=item3d31a80f9a:g:NW8AAOSwEwhb6vB~

That's something I hadn't at all considered.

Bossworld · July 22, 2019, 13:02

Quote from: househead on July 22, 2019, 12:36Does the MOMO boss affect the passenger airbag in any way?

Just looking at this ebay listing which says it disabled both airbags...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOMO-HUB-ADAPTOR-BOSS-KIT-FOR-MOMO-STEERING-FOR-TOYOTA-MR2-ROADSTER-YARIS/262826102682?epid=3028258047&hash=item3d31a80f9a:g:NW8AAOSwEwhb6vB~

That's something I hadn't at all considered.

Don't know. I rarely have a passenger and when I do, it's typically my five year old so I'm happy with it being disabled.

Without tactically taking a large lump hammer to a sacrificial breaker car to test, there's no way to be sure. One would assume the resistor over the driver's side ensures the continuity of a circuit, and the dash light comes on (and goes off) as per the MOT requirement. But, clearly there's a reason they've put that on the listing, unless it's a generic Momo disclaimer.

Other thought - my car is 15 years old. Would I trust the airbag to fire - don't know on that one. (Yes I'm aware there's probably no one in the history of the world who's ever gone back to a main dealer and paid for them to be replaced).

househead · July 24, 2019, 11:16

I don't think I'd replace the wheel if it was going to disable the passenger bag. Like you @Bossworld , my car is 15 years old and of course I've no idea if the bag will fire unless/until it does.

Personally though, if mine did, I would 100% make sure to get it replaced.

I don't think I'll do this mod if it was to disable the passenger bag. My missus is very safety conscious and would take a very dim view of me removing the use of both airbags for a "sporty" wheel. I mean it's my car but I do feel one should always consider safety of passengers!

Petrus · October 12, 2019, 14:11

Quote from: househead on July 24, 2019, 11:16I don't think I'd replace the wheel if it was going to disable the passenger bag. Like you @Bossworld , my car is 15 years old and of course I've no idea if the bag will fire unless/until it does.

Personally though, if mine did, I would 100% make sure to get it replaced.

I don't think I'll do this mod if it was to disable the passenger bag. My missus is very safety conscious and would take a very dim view of me removing the use of both airbags for a "sporty" wheel. I mean it's my car but I do feel one should always consider safety of passengers!

Sorry Househead, only just tripped over this last post now.

The resistor replaces the airbag. As such the system registers the bag operational.Hence the check light will light up and then extinguish.
In case of an accident tripping the thresholds, the system will fire the seatbelt retractors and both airbags. The one not replaced by a resistor will still explode. Well, if it is in operational condition. It should though as there is no expiration date on them and verrrrry old ones costing nothing are popular practical joke devices.

Several markets even have an ´off´ switch for the passenger bag. This switches between the airbag circuit or a resistor circuit. It does not affect the driver bag.

So; the safety conscious missus is no reason to stop you switching of your side of the car.

Petrus · October 20, 2019, 11:31

The British Heritage Association has announced that it is introducing a special Brexit commemoration steering wheel:

WINK

househead · October 20, 2019, 12:27

Does it come with an airbag?

Sure needs one!

tets · October 20, 2019, 18:28

Just to clarify, I can confirm that when my Mrs put ours through a garden fence and took down a concrete post the airbags did not fire.

Petrus · October 20, 2019, 23:57

Quote from: tets on October 20, 2019, 18:28Just to clarify, I can confirm that when my Mrs put ours through a garden fence and took down a concrete post the airbags did not fire.

Did the safety belt tensioners fire?
If not then the sensors did not trip.
It needs quite a bit of a jolt, decelleration, for the system to fire. This is a safety thing because you cannot have it trip when you hit a pothole, clip a sidewalk or ground it on a speed bump.
It really needs a serious hit to fire; basically only when nééded. Remember that it is not such a safe device at all.

SV-3 · October 21, 2019, 00:15

Quote from: Petrus on October 20, 2019, 23:57
Quote from: tets on October 20, 2019, 18:28Just to clarify, I can confirm that when my Mrs put ours through a garden fence and took down a concrete post the airbags did not fire.

Did the safety belt tensioners fire?
If not then the sensors did not trip.
It needs quite a bit of a jolt, decelleration, for the system to fire. This is a safety thing because you cannot have it trip when you hit a pothole, clip a sidewalk or ground it on a speed bump.
It really needs a serious hit to fire; basically only when nééded. Remember that it is not such a safe device at all.

That's why they are designated as a Supplementary Restraint System (SRS).

tets · October 21, 2019, 06:19

Did the safety belt tensioners fire?
If not then the sensors did not trip.
It needs quite a bit of a jolt, decelleration, for the system to fire. This is a safety thing because you cannot have it trip when you hit a pothole, clip a sidewalk or ground it on a speed bump.
It really needs a serious hit to fire; basically only when nééded. Remember that it is not such a safe device at all.

[/quote]

It was approx 30mph head on into a concrete post and enough for her to have seat belt marks across her chest so i'm guessing so!