RX7FD

Is it street legal to take out the FD steering wheel which has an airbag and replace it with a racing wheel like a MOMO or Sparco wheel?

user 84205

i dont see why not. Unless your state requires a airbag which I dont think that happens..... But if you have a warranty on your car, you wont after you change the steering wheel.

Johnny

might want to let your insurance know also....

removing/disabling airbags...I thought was illegal..eventhough I plan to do it myself

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I think it's legal to remove the airbag (unless certain states have laws against that).

However, has Johnny mentioned, once your insurance company finds out, your rates will increase a little since airbags are a discount.

RX7FD

Do any of you guys know if its illegal to take the airbags out in Illinois?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I did a quick search on the net, and I didn't see anywhere that said removing an airbag was illegal. Granted, that doesn't mean that's the case, in your state, so you might want to call the DMV and ask them.

elizer

im pretty sure ytou can get racing steering wheles with airbags in them. not quite sure.

fdracer

Yes, it's illegal. You technically can't even get the adapter in America if its for a car model with airbags, that's any car not just rx7s. That's why you have to get one from japan or use an older model's adapter to fit a newer car.

bbeavers

It is not illegal to disable your airbags or remove your steering wheel. You will however have issues with regard to warranty should you have problems as a result of improperly removing these devices. As for your insurance company finding out, the only way they would find out is if you were foolish enough to tell them or had the misfortune of having an accident in which you were injured. In that case they could deny or limit any injury claims due to the fact that you disabled safetey devices. Again it is not illegal to disable them, it wasn't even until the last five years or so that airbags were mandated by the NTSB, most entry level cars did not have them until they were mandated.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Well, I believe it's illegal on 1999 and up cars:

5. Are airbags required? Yes. As of the 1999 model year, the federal government required automakers to install driver and passenger airbags for frontal protection in all cars, light trucks, and vans.

But, it should be fine on anything prior to 1999 since they were not required.

bbeavers

You are correct about the NTSB mandating airbags in 1999. However this only means that the manufacturer is required to equip their cars with airbags (At least driver front and passenger front) side impact have not yet been mandated but probably will be soon. The consumer is free to remove or disable these devices should they choose to do so, obviously at there own risk. For example certain european cars can only be federalized and legal in the U.S. when they have certain safetey devices and or equipment to meet federal crash standards. Again, once the car has been federalized thhe consumer is free to remove these devices. A perfect example is the Porsche 996 Turbo, it did not pass federal crash standards until Porsche was forced to install these hideous looking "bumper pads" on the front bumper. Your friendly Porsche dealer will gladly remove them for you after you have handed them your check for 120k. Another example is McLarens F1 supercar which required even more hideous looking bumper pads. The consumer is free to remove them and does so at there own risk. The only exception might be in a few states or municpalities like our Nations Capitol, Washington D.C. there your car MUST pass YEARLY inspection no matter what model year it is if you fail you will not be issued an inspection sticker which in turn voids your registration. If you live in a state like this you might have to re-install mandated devices everytime you go for inspection, kind of like guys who run with mid pipes and slap there cats back on when they go for the smog check.

elizer

anyone knwo wehre to get racing steering wheels w/airbags?

user 84205

NO SUCH THING>>>>

elizer

i was pretty sure i saw one, guess i was hallucinating

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

Yes, I know about the things that certain cars need to be legal here in the US, however, I don't believe airbags where part of that in 1993-5, so they should be legal to be removed and keep removed.

I guess what it seems like is that since airbags weren't required in 1993-5 (and cats were), so it should be ok with removing the airbag and no need to re-add one for inspection (if they have inspections in their states).

user 84205

You know that would be great to be racing, and just nudge someone on the track and have this big air bag blow up in your FACE!!! hahaha that would be sooo cool. NOT!!