When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Please understand that these instructions are nothing more than the steps I took to swap the USDM FD3S RX-7 steering wheel, for the Garage Alpha customized JDM Efini steering wheel. I also include the general steps needed to fabricate a custom bracket used to swap the cruise control buttons from the USDM wheel onto the Efini steering wheel. If you do not have the equipment and skills to take the proper time to do this swap, I highly recommend that you work with a trusted mechanic and fabrication shop rather than attempt it yourself and potentially damage a very rare and expensive piece of automotive equipment. I am not a paid or sponsored person of Garage Alpha and this information should only be used as an educational resource. I take no responsibility in any damages that others may cause in their own steering wheel swap.
*Warning*
You will be working with an automotive airbag; which is very dangerous and can cause injury or possibly death. Take all precautions necessary to avoid any harm or damage to you, others and your vehicle.
1. Disconnect battery terminals and press brake pedal and horn buttons for 30 seconds to discharge the system.
2. Follow FSM instructions for how to remove the USDM steering wheel. There should be 3 rubber grommets on the back side of the wheel, which gives you access to the 10mm bolts that hold the airbag in the place.
3. Carefully remove the airbag unit from the wheel and disconnect the wires from the airbag, the horn buttons, and cruise control buttons.
4. Using an impact wrench, remove the bolt holding the wheel onto the splined shaft.
5. Using a steering wheel puller, remove the steering wheel from the car and set aside onto your workbench.
a. At this point, it may be a good idea to remove the other plastic shrouds and panels in order to remove the gauge cluster for repairs should it be malfunctioning.
6. Unscrew the cruise control buttons bracket from the steering wheel and set aside.
7. At this point, if you have removed the steering wheel and gauge cluster/hood, your view should look like the image below. You will then need to rotate the yellow clock spring 180 degrees where the wire connections are at 12 o’clock rather than 6.
8. Using blue masking tape, make a template of the opening space where the cruise control button would normally be. Use this template to lay on the Efini plastic shroud. Then, using a scribe, outline the template into the plastic and carefully use a Dremel to cut out the opening.
a. It is best to measure twice and cut once. Also, it may be better to cut the opening slightly smaller as well so that you can finesse the fitment with a sanding wheel on the Dremel. You will also need to cut the two plastic posts inside the shroud.
9. At this point, you will also need to trim off the metal flange inside of the metal part of the wheel. This piece gets in the way of the cruise control buttons.
10. Trim the corner off the steering wheel horn assembly that is closest to where the buttons will be located.
11. You will need to use a Dremel cutting wheel to elongate the opening at the top of the shroud on the back side so that the wiring can easily pass through from the clock spring into the shroud.
12. Unscrew the horn button wire from the USDM wheel and splice onto the Efini Horn pad wire.
13. If you fitted the buttons inside the opening properly, you should be able to perform a test fit by placing the horn button onto the wheel.
14. At this point, using the button assembly as a template, create a bracket using a thinner gauge of aluminum and bend it to fit the shapes of the metal wheel.
15. Using the new bracket as a template, mark the drill hole on the metal portion of the steering wheel. Drill and tap the hole that will be used to mount the lower portion of the new bracket.
16. At this point, you are ready to reassemble and install your new wheel. Connect the cruise control plug, along with the horn plug into their respective matching plug. Bolt down the steering wheel with the retaining nut and torque to proper spec. Push the horn pad into place and connect the car battery. At this point, you will want to test to make sure the horn still works properly. Assuming the horn still works, it’s now time to finish things up. Unlike the USDM wheel that requires 3 bolts to hold onto the airbag assembly, the Efini wheel only has one 10mm bolt holding the horn button into place. Torque the retaining bolt to spec and use one of the rubber plugs to cover the access hole. If you have done things properly, you now have a custom steering wheel that works like the OEM USDM wheel for your horn and cruise control.
