Hey!

My wives '93 Max steering wheel is starting to shed little bits all over the place. Anyone have this problem and how did they fix it?

I think replacing the steering wheel would be expensive since the airbag is involved. Has anyone bought a new steering wheel without the airbag and just transferred the airbag over to the new steering wheel?

I hate the thought of just putting a cover over it as I think that's ghetto.

I need options people!

 

You can just buy a used wheel without the bag,and just reuse your bag...

Or you can get a 240sx wheel without the bag,they look good imo.

You need to get a special security torx bit to take the airbag off..


Here are the 240sx wheels,
cruise control model [courtesy of cliff clavin ]


non cruise control model

 

Where can I get the torx bit from? Is removing the airbag hard to do?

 

Ebay for the bits..
http://cgi.ebay.com/PROFESSIONAL-gra...QQcmdZViewItem

The airbag is not hard to remove,two torx screws on each side and the harness need to be removed

 

wheelskins makes a nice wheel cover for our cars. remove the old one if it's leather-wrapped and stitch this one on. it looks just about like factory and is very high quality.

OR you can buy a used wheel froma junkyard for about $50 with no airbag. removing the airbag is just a couple torx bolts as mentioned above. disconnect battery, wait 10 minutes to discharge system, then unplug airbag and remove. swap wheel, install airbag, cross fingers, reconnect battery..

I also saw some brand new OEM steering wheels (no airbag) on ebay last week. they were going for $200 or so though.. but brand new might be worth it to you.

 

Buy me a new wheel while your at it...

 

Hopefully I can find a wheel at a junkyard that matches the color of the interior. That's up in the air though. The airbag procedure looks pretty simple (thanks for the pictures).

If I can't get a new (right color) wheel for a decent price I'll probably just have to cover it. Her wheel is not leather covered. Just the basic wheel like in the pics above with the cruise control module on the right hand side where the pic shows the airbag torx.

 

You can get Torx bits at Radioshack too if you don't want to wait for shipping. Possibly at your local auto parts store too, I know ford uses them for dash stuff.

 

sand down the top layer and paint it jk, those new wheels on ebay are nice. $229 is way too much. i saw a non airbag maxima wheel in extremely good condition sell on there for $12 shipped about a year ago. i was planning on sniping it but forgot to. would have been a good deal, the steering wheel has a huge effect on the experience of driving. crumbling leather syndrome is depressing. those wheelskins remind me frankenstien's facial scars.. used wheel is probably the best bet. non airbag 3rd gen wheels are the tish.

 

If the leather is coming off them you can just pull all the leather of and reveal a new fresh layer of plastic/rubber steering wheel.

It might sound crazy but if you can get the leather to come off in bits it will tear off (I have done it it looks great under the leather and no one knows the difference)

Just an option!!

 

I hadn't thought about peeling the plastic/rubber off to reveal a fresher layer. Do you have any pictures of what that looks like?

I'd like to keep the airbag for safety, this is for my wives car so I doubt she cares about a racing steering wheel ;-)

 

anyone have any pictures of the Wheelskins installed Matt was talking about?

it looks like those are just regular tamperproof torx bits? If so, then theres no need to search ebay. sears/homedepots/lows should all have em.
and you dont even need a bit driver. a standard 6point 1/4" socket works.

 

I'm glad this thread exists cuz I'm pretty much in the same situation...my steering wheel is starting to look like cheese at 12 o'clock lol..my girlfriends feels nice and firm and its so nice..I'll be looking in junk yards for another steering wheel.

Vans did you junk that Max yet? if not do you have the steering wheel for 92+?

 

Yeah my wives is coming off at 12 o'clock as well. How ironic! Ever since I bought my 98' Max I've been putting that sunblock Armorall crap on the steering wheel to prevent it from happening to the '98.

It was already too late for the '93.

I think it's sun damage rather than wear and tear since no one ever holds onto the wheel at 12 o'clock, , at least not as much as they touch the sides etc.

 

I've heard that Armor-All crap dont work at all. I've heard from many customers at work that it actually makes things worse. I think the best think you can do inexpensively is get a steering wheel cover before it starts getting worse

 

www.wheelskins.com < many examples of the frankenstien look

 

Yeah I'd be Full of Shat http://www.ussvictoria.co.uk/fullofshat/

if I got a wheel skin. I haven't had any problems with the Armorall crap yet and it's the only product I know of out there that provides UV protection for my baby.

 

check your PM.....

 

I did this originally, and now I'm putting on a new wheel. While noone can visually tell a big difference, your hands definetely will. To me it's like using a dinner plate to steer with lol, wayyy too thin.

 

giggity giggity goo!

 

Haha, damn this was posted a almost a year ago! That comment applies to several things but I'm not gonna say anymore.

I hope you know that my gf is a 3rd gen owner as well

 

I thought you guys broke up.. or do you just give the maroon car to whatever girlfriend you have atm?

 

haha no thats her car and no, we're still together

 

Again not still

 

Wheelskins FTW...I have one.

 

Well the steering wheel without the leather is not bad at all I can't say it dosent make the steering wheel diameter smaller but it is def not like a dinner plate!
I like the look of the wheel with out the leather cover it is nice and clean and glossy!

Diff strokes for diff folkes

 

I'm looking at installing an R32 steering wheel, since i'm airbag free, and just relocating the cruise control buttons. I'm not a fan of the max. wheel. Just need to find one for a good price.

R32 wheel:

 

I would not reccomend this since u r buying a steering wheel just as old and brittle and the one u have now.