RX8 Steering wheel

[Spencer54]

Anyone attempted to fit one of these?
I have a suspicion they'll go on to the later airbag equipped one - can anyone confirm/deny this?

Thanks

[Spencer54]

I can confirm that these fit, had a little go today - but I need the clock ring so the stock one is back in currently.

Soon as it's in for good I'll stick up some pics.

Looks brilliant on

[francophile1947]

The AA say the vehicle will fail the MOT test if any airbag fitted as original equipment is obviously missing or defective - see the Supplementary Restraints section here http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/ca ... -2012.html
Also check with your insurance company - there have been quite a few cases (not necessarily Bongos) where the companies won't insure vehicles with an airbag removed

[Spencer54]

Rx8 has an airbag, it's a swop of the stock rx8 wheel for the bongo srs wheel.
Pros are it's leather and nicer and the airbag isn't 16 years old.

[aquatix]

This sounds great - is there anything else required other than the RX8 wheel with airbag ? Do the connections (clockspring)work without any modification ? What about the buttons for radio controls ?
Any extra fitting info would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Spencer54]

I'm going to do a detailed "How To" once I get it completely sorted.
I have a couple of options to try which will either be a mod of the wheel itself, or a part from an RX8.
The buttons should work for the stereo, so long as you have the matching loom connection from the RX8.

Not a massive problem as you can buy a complete steering column set including airbag/wheel on eBay for £35.

In the meantime, I can confirm the splines on the steering column match the splines on the RX8 wheel.
Now is just a matter of the easiest solution with the clock spring and indicator cancelling clip.

There was a post showing how to make the wheel from a 626 fit and change the volume on your stereo - and the clock spring (Squib) is exactly the same. So I'm confident its a matter of matching the wires up to your stereo and your job done.

[Spencer54]

Here's the RX8 wheel fitted, looks a fair bit nicer than the standard one and transforms the driving experience.
Not all the bugs ironed out just yet but I'm 99% there.



In that shot you can see see that I managed to fit the low coolant inside the clocks right above the temp gauge and it looks factory fit. That and you won't miss it ever!

[hairyneep]

Now that looks nice. My steering wheel is well worn and starting to crack, looks like this is the solution

[Simon Jones]

Looks very smart. Must try to get my steering wheel project back on the agenda

[al & chris]

My last advisory on mot said lose steering wheel outer. So this looks good to me if easy to fit.

[Spencer54]

Thats what mine was like and felt horrible - hence the RX8 going on.

[meek.tv]

Here's the RX8 wheel fitted, looks a fair bit nicer than the standard one and transforms the driving experience.
Not all the bugs ironed out just yet but I'm 99% there.

Did you manage to sort out the problems you were having with this? I fancy having a go but am less than confident that I'd succeed

[Spencer54]

Kind of - not 100% happy but it got a workaround in place that's proved good so I'm not overly bothered about it at the mo.

Airbag was the issue, and I didn't want to cut the stock connector off.
Flashing airbag lights are sorted by the work around - namely 3.3ohm resistor.

[meek.tv]

Good news for us non-airbagged folk

[meek.tv]

Good news for us non-airbagged folk

Actually..... Does anyone know if it will fit on an older shape non-airbag bongo?