Aftermarket steering wheels... replacing the controls, legality
01-09-2008, 04:16 AM
#1
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Aftermarket steering wheels... replacing the controls, legality Yes I did a search and found some stuff but got a couple questions. I have an 02 Z28 and I decided want to get a Grant steering wheel for a few reasons. The OEM one is too damn big and I can only have it at one position otherwise my legs get caught while trying to clutch. If I had it any lower my hands would get caught on my legs when I do u-turns. 
Another reason is ergonomics and looks, BMW M steering wheels are so fat and nice, while we get stuck with a steering wheel the same diameter and thickness as a Civic's. Smaller and thicker steering wheels are just more comfortable for me. I'm also curious if there are any quick release hubs for our cars? Honestly I doubt my car will ever become an all-out race-car, I just want it for peace of mind, plus its nice to know anyway.
I'm 99% sure this is illegal or I will be in trouble with the police and my insurance company if I were to get in an accident and they found out I had a steering wheel without an airbag. I do know that when you sell the car it needs to have a functioning airbag for the driver, but is it ok to drive on the street with an aftermarket steering wheel? And going back to my other question, is it possible to rewire the steering wheel controls, etc. again if I reinstalled the OEM wheel?
Thanks a lot!
Another reason is ergonomics and looks, BMW M steering wheels are so fat and nice, while we get stuck with a steering wheel the same diameter and thickness as a Civic's. Smaller and thicker steering wheels are just more comfortable for me. I'm also curious if there are any quick release hubs for our cars? Honestly I doubt my car will ever become an all-out race-car, I just want it for peace of mind, plus its nice to know anyway.
I'm 99% sure this is illegal or I will be in trouble with the police and my insurance company if I were to get in an accident and they found out I had a steering wheel without an airbag. I do know that when you sell the car it needs to have a functioning airbag for the driver, but is it ok to drive on the street with an aftermarket steering wheel? And going back to my other question, is it possible to rewire the steering wheel controls, etc. again if I reinstalled the OEM wheel?
Thanks a lot!
No one has done this? 
01-10-2008, 11:22 AM
#7
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with you. My steering wheel was huge, so I bought an earlier model steering wheel and installed it. No airbag, so its probably illegal, but its a risk I'm willing to take, and if I get caught, I'll deal with the consequences.
Trending Topics
01-10-2008, 11:58 AM
#8
I've swapped out my wheel with a Grant. I have all my wiring setup so that I can put my Stock wheel back on if I need to. I needed to modify the adapter hub to get the wheel to fit. You will also need to wire in two 3.3 ohm resisters in parallel to turn off the air bag light. Its not very hard to do, it just takes up time to get everything to fit good. Its good to know someone with a machine shop.
04-04-2008, 11:21 PM
#10
Staging Lane
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Clear Lake, Texas
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really like the look of that Grant steering wheel. My stock one is worn out and I was going between either getting it recovered or finding a new one. I would put in that Grant wheel, but there's no way my parents would let me drive without an airbag.
04-05-2008, 11:09 PM
#12
Launching!
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How are you modifying it? I put a Grant in mine without any modifications...
I also put electrical tape over the airbag light behind the white speedo overlays...
I also put electrical tape over the airbag light behind the white speedo overlays...
04-06-2008, 08:14 AM
#13
I used two 3.3ohm resistors, and that took care of my airbag light.
07-09-2008, 08:43 AM
#17
11 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've swapped out my wheel with a Grant. I have all my wiring setup so that I can put my Stock wheel back on if I need to. I needed to modify the adapter hub to get the wheel to fit. You will also need to wire in two 3.3 ohm resisters in parallel to turn off the air bag light. Its not very hard to do, it just takes up time to get everything to fit good. Its good to know someone with a machine shop.
07-09-2008, 11:08 AM
#18
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: San Marcos/Plano, Texas
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've swapped out my wheel with a Grant. I have all my wiring setup so that I can put my Stock wheel back on if I need to. I needed to modify the adapter hub to get the wheel to fit. You will also need to wire in two 3.3 ohm resisters in parallel to turn off the air bag light. Its not very hard to do, it just takes up time to get everything to fit good. Its good to know someone with a machine shop.
