I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: steering wheel
Having just got an NC to replace my NB, i notice the stock steering wheel is a bit naff and plasticy compared to the NB. I see you can get leather ones which also have the control buttons. So is it a straight swap with the air bag and centre being the same and is there a loom already in situ for the controls just not plugged in. Or am i being over simplistic?
Thanks fo any thoughts
You appear to have the urethane/plastic steering wheel. You can swap for the leather with radio controls but you will need the airbag compatible with the leather one. The airbag you have for the plastic wheel is NOT suitable/ compatible. Otherwise it’s a doddle as all the control wiring for the radio is there. Be careful and disconnect battery before attempting the removal of airbag (I give at least an hour for discharge).
I’m unsure if the wiring for the audio controls would be there. If it’s like the front fog light connections and other connections seen on the car there’s a good chance they will be there, just tucked away. When they build these cars I bet just one loom is used for all, for that model.
So you need to find out, pop the centre out of your existing wheel, of course as explained above that involves removing the airbag unit, battery disconnect first.
In turn you need to make sure your radio unit isn’t coded as that’ll need a code on reconnection.
With me so far, well it’s easy enough to check but a pain if you then upset the radio side of things.
Anyways, as mentioned above you can get another wheel (eBay most likely) or have look for another style of wheel.
I have the RX-8 style wheel that fits the NC, looks the same as below.
