Flak

Basically, one of the solutions to my problem is replacing the wheel.

It almost looks as if the stock wheel (not the entire assembly just the wheel) bolts onto the airbag housing on the sides and bottom. Is this true? I'm making a bold assumption that it is in order to facilitate easy replacement of just the wheel without disassembling the entire system... but I'd like to know for sure.


Thanks.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

http://www.silverbulletrx7.com/StWheel/2removed.jpg

Flak

LOL I don't know whether to say thank you or damn you... :P Hehe, bit more integrated than I hoped.

Know of any place that sells an identical wheel thats just D-cut so I can plug the airbag back in easily?

KaiFD3S

iTrader: (37)

3 bolts in the back of the steering wheel I believe, airbag comes out, and then a big nut in the middle of the steering wheel, and off goes the steering wheel

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

What are you trying to accomplish? If you've got chewed up leather and want to get the leather refinished, check this out -
http://www.american-stitches.com/ams...es/index2.html

They'll stich all new leather onto the steering wheel.

As far as I know, the only wheel the airbag will bolt to is the stock wheel. You gotta decide if you want the airbag or the smaller wheel.

Dale

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I haven't seen a D-Cut with an airbag setup yet. Most people don't worry about losing the airbag since the airbag technology has changed since they were implemented back when the US FD's were made.

Flak

What I'm trying to accomplish is the wheel not rubbing against my knees.

So far among my ideas and others' suggestions are:

Replace seat
Replace rails (or remove altogether)
Replace steering wheel

There are problems with each...

Replacing the seat is expensive, though I'm not ruling it out... I still haven't found a nice replacement that is as wide as the stock seat and still fits.

Removing the rails means most likely the stock seat won't fit, and if it did I still wouldn't be able to move the seat. The problem there is if the seat bolts to the floor too far back.

Replacing the steering wheel... Most racing wheels I lose airbag and cruise control. Some you even lose the horn on... Those are definately my last options, about on par with not purchasing an rx7 altogether.


The options I would LIKE to work:
Smaller aftermarket rail.
Replacing wheel with somerthing smaller but identical in function.


I'm sorta stuck because everything seems to point to custom fabrication, which is obviously my last preference.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

You can use the horn with most aftermarket wheels. You can relocated the cruise controls as well. A local friend is using a Momo wheel (I think that's the brand) and he relocated the cruise controls without a problem.

The main issue is you will almost have to lose the airbag going with a smaller wheel.

Flak

Most people who have racing wheels use harnesses instead of 3 point crapbelts that allow you to hit the wheel to begin with...

And to do that I'd be replacing the seats... so... lol Circular problem here... (and the pun wins!)

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

That is not true.

You can use a harness with the stock seats if you want to:

http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...e/MVC-018F.JPG

Beny

do not, i repeat DO NOT use a harness with out a cage. In the event of a roll-over the harness will hold you in straight up as the roof comes down on you. Without a cage the room just crushes your head. The stock belts alow you to bend over and be safe from massvie head crushage.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Have you ever been in a real accident with stock 3 point seat belts?

I have and when they lock, you aren't moving. Rollover without a rollcage/bar isn't going to matter all that much with the stock belts or a harness. You just have a greater chance of "flying out" the stock seat belts (and out of the car) than a harness.

wiblergt

buy a NARDI wheel.

It is smaller (not by much though), it uses the 2nd generation airbag (i think), you can connect it VERY easily, AND it looks bad as ****!!!

the only wire splicing you have to do is the airbag connector. one red and one gray on your stock airbag and two red on the new one. no matter which way you connect them... you are safe.

i personally swapped connectors.

as for the cruise... relocate it. i am working on that now and i will shoot some pics up when i am done!

will

Flak

There are a number of issues with removing the airbag unfortunately, not the least of which is insurance and peace of mind for my parents (and partially myself too).

I find it hard to believe that this isn't a common problem with a common solution that doesn't involve turning the car interior into dragster interior.

No matter how much weight I could lose, my knee caps aren't going anywhere...

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Insurance should only look at the car once. Just don't remove the steering wheel until after that.



It's not really that much of a problem. They didn't start putting airbags into cars until around the 90's. Believe it or not, there were cars before airbags and people didn't die when having accidents without them.

Flak

No, lol, I'm talking about the wheel hitting my knees. I don't see how anyone could have more than an inch of clearance there unless they were very tall or had 3" diameter legs.

Maybe I should just go paraplegic and use wooden pegs.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

No, it is an issue with some people. It all depends on your body dimensions. Some people have longer legs, some people have a longer upper section. Those people with longer legs generally get news seats or a new steering wheel (or both), or get a different car.

This car is not for everyone.

alberto_mg

my woman just bought me a sparco mugello wheel to alleviate this problem