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View Full Version : Truth about NA stering wheels



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)

m00se
01-19-2014, 10:16 AM
Interesting observation! When i removed my airbag i wondered about the weird looking construction of the steeringwheel, i can imagine they are a bit crooked. But by far the worst with those wheels is their form, i hated mine and was so glad i chamged mine

Agent☣Orange
01-19-2014, 11:31 AM
Probably 20 years of people holding the wheel different ways to get in and out of the car.

WASABI
01-19-2014, 12:51 PM
Probably 20 years of people holding the wheel different ways to get in and out of the car.

Good point! I can see folks using the edge of the wheel as a handle to lift them out of their seats.

BoBo
01-19-2014, 05:48 PM
Good point! I can see folks using the edge of the wheel as a handle to lift them out of their seats.

I thought about that but the metal construction of the steering wheel is so thick. I actually tried bending back one of the steering wheels that I tried out, while it was still in the original car by putting a club on it and bending it back with fury. However, no luck even then. If anything I could feel the steering shaft bending and not the steering wheel.

BoBo
01-19-2014, 05:55 PM
Interesting observation! When i removed my airbag i wondered about the weird looking construction of the steeringwheel, i can imagine they are a bit crooked. But by far the worst with those wheels is their form, i hated mine and was so glad i chamged mine

I looked at all of the 5 steering wheels that I tried out and removed all the plasctics and airbag. I noticed they are all welded a bit differently, Oh well I guess. I agree the form sucks with the oem wheels. I'm gonna swap maybe a MoMo Monte Carlo wheel in the future, right now I gotta take care of some school bills.

ibid
01-20-2014, 10:33 AM
kinda makes you wonder how many other makes and models have the same issue with age actually