After much internal debate, I decided I wanted an aftermarket steering wheel to replace the stock wheel. My hope was that it would make the car a little easier to drive at auto-x, due to my hands having to travel less distance.

The install was pretty straight forward, and taking the first turn the difference was immediately noticeable. I was secretly hoping that the wheel would increase turn-in sensitivity/quickness, but this didn't happen, as I suspected. However, the "feel" of the wheel is now (comparatively) incredible. I'm not sure if it's just the extra effort needed to turn the wheel (stock wheel is 390mm-->350mm, a roughly 10% decrease also corresponds to a 10% increase in effort), the thickness of the wheel, the thumb grips, or the lack of vibration caused by the loose damper thingy inside the stock wheel, but the car is 100% more fun to drive now.

The wheel has changed steering feel more than all of my other mods combined. No joke. I'm still not happy about driving around without an airbag, but the enjoyment I get driving the car now makes up for it. I drove my buddy's 97 SE after my car and it felt like I was driving a toy. It reminded me how I felt after I drove an BMW M coupe then got in my car (with the stock wheel). If I think of any better descriptions I will post again...

Oh, BTW, my self-canceling turn signals still work 50% of the time (only on hard turns). Also, I bought the wheel with a quick release, but found it pushed the wheel too close to me so I removed the quick release, and it's now where the stock wheel was. I'm guessing taller drivers won't mind as much, but I'm 5'10". I'm pretty sure it also weighs about 10-15 pounds less than the stock wheel (with airbag).

Anyways...

 

any pictures?

 

Please lets get a look!

 

Well I'm getting a new horn button to replace the Blitz one it came with and all of my plastic covers are off the car because I need to work on some other things down there, so it's not looking very pretty right now. But since you asked nicely....I'll see what I can do!

 

What did you do about cruise control?

 

My CC died a few years ago and never bothered to fix it after the motor swap, so I've been driving around without it for a long time now. But yeah, even if it was working before, it wouldn't now!

 

There is a fix for this.

btw any pics?

 

What's the fix, buying a BMW?

Here are some not so great pics of the not yet finished project...I still need to reattach all the trim pieces and install the new horn button.

 

nothing beats a steering wheel swap to change how the car feels in your hands. <thumbsup>

 

You posted in the thread before. That is the fix
http://forums.maxima.org/advanced-su...n-bushing.html

 

LOLs, that's the reason I haven't reinstalled all the plastic covers! I was planning on doing the wheel and that bushing at the same time but ran out of time and have been putting off that install due to other obligations.

I've really only seen one or two reviews for that aluminum bushing, do you have one? I would love to hear more reviews on it! I hope it does as much as people say.

 

I had one installed in my 5th gen maxima and it was a worthwhile mod imo. I noticed that it took away some of the play in the column and made it feel more direct. This makes sense because the stock bushing is rubber and has some give to it when the steering wheel is turned. Considering the price, I suggest you get one.