removing steering wheel
 

im considering removing the stock steering wheel and installing an aftermarket one. how difficult is it to remove? also, would i be able to replace it and have the air bag work with no problem?

thanks for the help.

i'm thinking that aftermarket wise, there is no option, only thing i could recommend is maybe a swap... but for what, i have no clue
sorry

Where do you find an aftermaket wheel WITH an airbag?

I doubt it would work. You can definitely change the wheel, but you won't have the airbag anymore.

I think we have a great steering wheel, anyway.

~HH

someone makes aftermarket steering wheels with airbags but i can't remember who, i was down at pep boys or autozone, not sure which and they told me about it cause its aparantly illegal to replace an a/b stearing with with one that doesn't have it, but seriously who checks?

hehe, well, with or without an air bag, im still thinking about changing it. yes, it is a very nice wheel (stock) but would like to have something that matches my custom interior better.

anyways, does anyone know how to remove the stock one?

and, if something happens, and i want to put the stock wheel back on, would the a/b function properly?

thanks guys.

The a/b would function properly on a reinstall assuming you take it off and put it back on correctly. Don't store anything on top of your stock wheel just in case the airbag goes off!

Make sure that you disconnect your battery before attempting to remove you steering wheel. Getting hit by an air bag hurts!:crying: Not to mention that you will hit the horn button a lot.

Use an allen wrench to remove the center cap in the steering wheel and go from there.

It may be technically illegal to remove an airbag steering wheel, but if you ever got questioned all you need to say is that you bumped something/someone and it set you airbag off. It cost about $1000 to repack the airbag and it is legal at that point to replace your steering wheel.

What steering wheel are you thinking of getting?

thanks Scarmiglio. I was looking into a MOMO steering wheel. cant remember where i saw it though. it came to my mind, and i wanted to see how much trouble it would be if i decided to change it. doesnt sound too hard to remove it though.

has anyone removed it? about how long did it take to remove it?

thanks everyone!

For the record, as someone who has ACTUALLY removed my steering wheel, you WILL NOT be able to use your factory airbag....its in your factory steering wheel!
Also, it not as simple as removing the horn button. You will also need to have access to a wheel puller tool. If you dont know what ones is, go to a local garage and ask!
One last thing, if you buy a new wheel (For example, MOMO), you will also need to buy a HUB ADAPTER. ANY hub adapter will fit ANY aftermarket wheel, except for GRANT WHEELS which require their own adpaters.

BTW, even though noone will actually check if you removed your airbag or not, if you get in an accedent and your insurance company finds out that you removed your airbag, it will likely void your policy

What about putting a Mazda6 steering wheel in a Protege. I really like the looks. Would it be hard to hook up all the built in buttons?

ok, there seems to be some confusion. when i said "also, would i be able to replace it and have the air bag work with no problem?" i meant the stock steering wheel with the stock air bag. i didnt mean installing the stock air bag on an afterstock steering wheel.

thanks for all your help guys.

btw, KDawgONE, did you mean it was difficult to remove the steering wheel, or the air bag? thanks.

I believe you should wait a few hours after disconnecting the battery to remove the wheel. There are some large capacitors on that system, to allow function during an accident.

I don't think the Mazda6 will fit, but not positive. However I am assuming your LX had the four spoke wheel right? The Nardi n some miata's and the P5/MP3/MSP will fit fine I think, and has an airbag. I think the MP3's actually has the little badge and a Mazda badge. Some of the miata's just had a blue N in the middle of the wheel, but they all have the same shape and diameter, just different leather trim. Momo does make a few airbag equipped wheels that you can order, like the WRX wheel. but it doesn't look anybetter than yours. You would be paying about a grand for a wheel with a little yellow emblem in the middle, + I don't even think it would fit. The airbag MOMO wheels aren't universal as far as I know...

I'm not sure if MOMO has a hub adapter specifically for the Protege but I am guessing that it is the same as the one for Miatas.

It's legal for you to remove the air bag yourself, but a shop will not do it for you (at least that's how it works in Ontario ) .

- disconnect battery .. wait at least 5 mins
- take out 2 screws, one on either side of steering wheel at the back (there are plugs covering the holes for them)
- lift off air bag module and uplug it (be careful handling it! )
- ???
- add hub adapter, make sure to keep the wires for your horn threaded through
- connect horn button and screw new steering wheel to the hub adapter.
- done ???

I think that's basically how it goes.

thanks everyone!