Done in 2009. I survived.
Note airbag cars (and all later cars with the bent stalks) have a spacer block on the steering column (I suspect to do with how the airbag deploys), which isn’t on earlier cars Consequently, these later cars have an offset boss. Fitting a early centric boss to these cars will result in a steering wheel that rubs on the knees, unless the spacer is removed. But when you do this, the column cover fouls on the instrument pod. Also, on some steering wheels, the boss will foul the column cover.
If you’re fitting the Momo Prototipo then I’d recommend the Daikei Boss Hub Kit rather than the Momo one.
The Momo one needs some modification to sit correctly and engage with the indicator cancel mechanism, whereas the Daikei Boss Hub Kit just “works”.
I had to get mine on special order from Japan, but I believe there are UK resellers.
The other bonus is that it includes the resistor kit needed to extinguish the airbag warning light.
I didn’t have the spacer behind the steering Wheel.
I had a boss with a hole in the side for the wires from the horn to come through.
I have to say it looks like it should have been sold with thiS steering wheel.
There is a lack of logic to some of the above comments. It could be argued that buying an early MX5 is a reckless choice even with an airbag fitted due to a lack of safety features and a luck of structural bulk and rigidity that modern cars have and this puts driver and passenger at significant risk in an accident. Following that logic we should all be buying bulky SUVs with high NCAP ratings or feeling guilty for putting ourselves and loved ones at unnecessary risk. I think we are all adult enough to make our own decisions on this. Having said that confirming valid insurance cover is an important consideration
By removing an original fit safety device you are in fact voiding your insurance as you are modifying it in a way as to deam it not road worthy so it you were pulled over (If you are unlucky enough to see a copper) then you can be charged with no Insurance for the above reason
Also if anyone was to be injured as a result of there being no airbag you would be held liable
Also if you were to fit a resister or other device to trick the light for an mot you can be prosecuted for fraudulently presenting a car for an mot
So it’s up to you if you wanna take the chance
A car without an airbag is not unroadworthy. If that were the case, a lot of us would be in trouble.
Most MX5 MK1 cars do not have an airbag so standard insurance spec would not include one.
Who is going to suffer additional injury because of a missing driver’s airbag? - you, the driver, so your risk
When these airbags need spares, where do you get them? My guess is they are not available so removal is often the only option. I certainly would not scrap the car because of this.
Agree that fitting a resister is not the way to go but if it were spotted at the MOT there would be no prosecution, it would simply be failed and then have to be reMOTd with a working airbag system in place. This would be impossible to get around as registered fail with itemised defect. Think about it - all those people who fill/fibre glass structural damage rather than weld would be in serious trouble if caught out wouldn’t we, I mean they?
I think you will find this is a very “Owners Club” answer.
A large proportion of cars out there are modified and it will very much depend what it is insured as. I would also guarantee there are a large number of owners out there that have bought pre-modified cars and have literally no idea if their car is modified or not so can’t even tell their insurer.
It would be my understanding that if you decide to park your car in a ditch, then your insurance is not going to pay out for you personal injury, it being your fault you decided to park there. If someone decides to park their car in yours, then any injury caused to you would be their responsibility and I would see a barrister making a very good case that that driver should not be expecting to mitigate their responsibility due to you having an air bag or not.