Steering Wheels

[Insomniac]

OK - newbie questions coming up:

I'm thinking of upgrading from the standard steering wheel for my '93 R33 GTS, but I have no idea whether there is anything I should be looking out for in particular - is there anything that I need to make sure the new wheel has? Will I need anything additional to the wheel? Where would be the best place to take it to get fitted (preferably on the Sunny Coast), or is it fairly straight forward to do it yourself?

I've seen a few steering wheels on ebay, but I'm a bit worried they might be dodgy or just cheap crap - what's the major difference between cheap steering wheels (<$100) and the more expensive Momo or Sparco wheels (> $300)?

What are boss kits, and will I need one if I upgrade??

And finally, does this look like a crap steering wheel?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-NISSAN-NISMO-T1...1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks!!!

[Konrad]

A boss kit is needed to bolt the wheel onto the steering column and allow the horn to still work, with the standard wheel the boss and the steering wheel are combined as one unit.

That one looks okayish, but a little garish for my tastes.. Simple designs look better IMO . Go with a momo / sparco or even a saas /autotechnica one from the likes of autobarn (or ebay). The more expensive ones are better made with higher quality materials, so paint wont flake off, rust, will be real leather etc... and also are engineered to design standards.

Important to note ADR10 relating to steering wheels, basically you can only go as small as 35cm in diameter as you still need to be able to see your gauges. I have a 32cm momo wheel and got defected for it. Its still on the car because i like it too much

[AzzurrA]

if your factory steering wheel has an airbag (not sure if 33's do or not) then they could probably defect/fine you for removing the airbag if you fit an aftermarket steering wheel as well... just something to bear in mind.

[Insomniac]

Thanks Isaac and Jason.

Mine doesn't have airbag(s) - I think that started with '96 R33s???

[Konrad]

was an option on s1 r33

Also, i dont know how they can fine you. Yes its illegal if the car originally had airbags but i'm not sure what year the law was bought in (ie: a 94 that had drivers airbag may be excempt anyway) but more to the point how wiill they know unless they can decipher the vin number to get the factory options or something?? (assuming you dont have a big red airbag warning light lit up on your dash too lol )

[Sambo33gtst]

Hey insomniac,

I get my 94 model 33 in under a month and i have been doing the research on steering wheels as well =) i also live on the coast, so we should go for a cruise!

So yeh, any import with a factory steering wheel fitted with an airbag that is replaced with a steering wheel without is grounds for a defect.

However, i dont like the 93/94 model steering wheels in the 33's, so mine is coming off and ill be taking the risk

Same with the gear knob.

[Insomniac]

Hey insomniac,

I get my 94 model 33 in under a month and i have been doing the research on steering wheels as well =) i also live on the coast, so we should go for a cruise!

No problem Sambo - let me know when you're ready to go and we'll sort something out. I know how excited you get when you first receive your new toy! Be prepared for lotsa money being poured into it though!

Where abouts on the coast are ya?

[Sambo33gtst]

Yeh man, ever since the car has been paid for ive been checking my watch every 5 minutes hey >.< !!

Im at the very top of buderim, so its not far to jump on the motorway or down the back way through maroochydore for a cruise

Can't wait man

[WazR32GTSt]

changing the steering wheel is something you can do yourself, with usually a ratchet and screwdriver

What the difference between cheap and expensive wheels? usually, just a brand name. I bought a $100 wheen new from ebay - its leather and alloy and built strong. no, it doesn't have a brand name, but who cares? see attached pic...

what's a boss kit?

well its basically a piece of metal that, on one end, bolts to your particular model of car. on the other end, it has a series of holes that bolt up to almost any aftermarket steering wheel. So you need on specific for your car, but any universal steering wheel will work

In summary: buy a cheap ebay wheel if its new from an ebay store and you will have no problems at all!

my wheel: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...me=STRK:MEWN:IT

[Sambo33gtst]

Man, props to your interior! Looks great

[Anquetil]

You need a boss kit with a HICAS plug, try one of the bigger Autobarns.

Or, wait a few weeks extra and order through Greenline/Nengun and pay about 30% less

Also, I've found that the $100 steering wheels are just as good as say the $300 Momo ones. Don't be stooged by the name.

[Mud]

whats a hicas plug?

[WazR32GTSt]

boss kits for skylines already have the plate on the back of them to move the hicas sensor

i have never seen a plug either, Mud...

[Mud]

whats a hicas sensor?

[WazR32GTSt]

there's a sensor on the steerign column that is moved when the steering wheel is moved.. so hicas knows where you're turning the steerign wheel and can assist you appropriately by turning the rear wheels in the correct direction

[Mud]

there's a sensor on the steerign column that is moved when the steering wheel is moved.. so hicas knows where you're turning the steerign wheel and can assist you appropriately by turning the rear wheels in the correct direction

have changed my wheel a couple of time but never seen it, must be behind the boss.

[Anquetil]

I've had a couple of Momo wheels $300+ and currently using an Autotechnica $100 wheel.

The Autotechnica is just as good in construction, material and stitching as the Momo.

[WazR32GTSt]

yeah behind the boss...

pull off your aftermarket wheel tyo reveal the boss

pull off the boss (remove the large inner nut) and reveal 2 items

1 * horn plug with a wire that runs up to your horn

1 * hicas sensor that slides into the boss kit to be turned when the steering wheel turns

[WazR32GTSt]

haha.. oops Shane, i thought you said the $100 wheels are not as good as momo wheels!

edited my previous post!

[jaqule]

and don't you loose your auto indicater cancel when you put on a boss kit!