BoBo
01-19-2014, 02:04 AM
When my rubber steering wheel cracked, I replaced it with another use leather wrapped wheel.After installing I then noticed that the wheel didn't feel right.The right side of the wheel in the 3 o clock area felt closer towards me. I first though it was bent, but the car it came from was not involved in any accident. I then returned it back to mazda recyclers for a different one and notice that the second wheel felt different as well. The left side where the 9 o clock area is closer to me. The third wheel I tried on felt just about right with 9/3 being equally symmetrical. I guess all NA wheels are welded a bit differently from the factory. I'm sure someone knows about this already, but it doesn't hurt to let other people know who are planning to replace their wheel with another original one. If your oem steering wheel is leather wrapped, I recommend it getting re-wrapped to save the hassle of finding another oem wheel.In addition, you car will require an alignment. The splines on the NA steering wheels are all lined up different. My Toyota Mr2 steering wheel replacement was straight drop inn, the splines all lined up the same and the steering was closely symmetrical.
I tried putting on 5 different miata NA steering wheels, the leather on the third wheel was not in the best condition, however, the 9/3 o clock was evenly symmetrical, so I ended up keeping it.
This first picture shows exactly what I'm talking about, the 3 o clock area felt noticeably closer to me.This steering wheel was the first one I tried.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/DSC01819_zpsaad18b06-1.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/DSC01819_zpsaad18b06-1.jpg.html)
This second picture shows that my kitchen counter is fairly flat.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/DSC01818_zps569e146b.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/DSC01818_zps569e146b.jpg.html)
This is the same steering wheel on the first picture. It shows the 12/6 o clock is pretty even.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/DSC01820_zps188d279f.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/DSC01820_zps188d279f.jpg.html)
I tried putting on 5 different miata NA steering wheels, the leather on the third wheel was not in the best condition, however, the 9/3 o clock was evenly symmetrical, so I ended up keeping it.
This first picture shows exactly what I'm talking about, the 3 o clock area felt noticeably closer to me.This steering wheel was the first one I tried.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/DSC01819_zpsaad18b06-1.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/DSC01819_zpsaad18b06-1.jpg.html)
This second picture shows that my kitchen counter is fairly flat.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/DSC01818_zps569e146b.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/DSC01818_zps569e146b.jpg.html)
This is the same steering wheel on the first picture. It shows the 12/6 o clock is pretty even.
http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu129/MR2SW21/96%20miata/DSC01820_zps188d279f.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/MR2SW21/media/96%20miata/DSC01820_zps188d279f.jpg.html)