Removing steering wheel for aftermarket .. Questions ..

[5ABI VT]

Have a momo and quick release setup on my 93. That car has no factory ecu so don't care for any codes or a minor sys light. I can't remember though if on a factory system.. If I remove the air bag if it will trigger any idiot lights on the display?

If there is a light or warning is there a way to trick the system into thinking the airbag is still there like with a resistor etc? I like the early steering wheel shape but it won't match up with the 94 dash/interior.


Anyone running an aftermarket wheel without airbag?

[Locobob]

I think its just a matter of pulling the air bag fuse and removing the light bulb from the DIC display... I'm looking into doing a Momo wheel myself, which one do you have and how do you like it? Did it change the wheel position length wise?

[5ABI VT]

I forget the name of the model I bought it so long ago. To me it looked more oem-like than others with flat bottom .. Can't even remember if the top was slightly flat too (technically not a 'd' I guess if both top and bottom are flat). I have lots of old photos I think I'll dig them up where I was doing measurements. I ended up going with a nrg quick release hub primarily to put the wheel close to the factory wheel since I'm pretty happy with the position. Being able to pull it off is kinda cool too ;)

Yes I absolutely loved it. The oem wheel is thick but a larger diameter. A smaller wheel makes the car feel a little sharper in the steering and lighter too. I know all about the steering column slop that occurs in these ancient columns.. Been through 3 columns on the 93 and this was one reason I went with an aftermarket wheel. The airbag and wheel are really heavy.

[5ABI VT]

How hard is it to remove the light from the dic?

[Locobob]

It's fairly easy, just have to remove shift console and radio bezel then remove the 3 screws that hold the dic and pull it out. The bulbs just twist out.

[WVZR-1]

A 2 Ohm resistor at the connector top of column or at the column base will "put out" the light. That's what the DERM would see if the air-bag were there and the system operational. I would guess that a '94 or '95 would require one at each location. Best I recall it's 1/8 watt.

Check with some of the alarm, audio and custom interior installers for the resistor. It's a tough find locally other than from those sources. They're of course available for I[net purchases but I really like "local buys"!

If there's an "Air-bag Service Company" in the area they should be able to help you. They use for diagnostics from time to time and buy them by the "hand-full"!
A large collision shop should be able to refer you.

Robert - there are hubs of various heights to place the wheel where you might like it. Very easy to determine the height required.

[Franke]

Radio Shack has a 2.4 ohm 1/4 watt metal film flame proof resistor for $1.09. Model: QW2D4 | Catalog #: 55049431 . That would probably be close enough to work.

[WVZR-1]

Radio Shack has a 2.4 ohm 1/4 watt metal film flame proof resistor for $1.09. Model: QW2D4 | Catalog #: 55049431 . That would probably be close enough to work.

I would NOT have mentioned 2 Ohm if just "anything close would work"!

[Franke]

OK. I didn't know the igniters in the bag were that close in tolerance. I learn something new every day.

[Schrade]

OK. I didn't know the igniters in the bag were that close in tolerance. I learn something new every day.

That's what it ALL ABOUT - learning. :thumbsup: No one knows it all.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Slightly more tactful ways exist of telling someone they might be wrong too...


ed.:
That's a good attitude there Franke. And good restraint. Responses like that start arguments. Right or wrong...

[Z51JEFF]

Not sure about a 94 but I pulled the AIRBAG fuse on my 91 and the car wouldn't start.

[Locobob]

Not sure about a 94 but I pulled the AIRBAG fuse on my 91 and the car wouldn't start.

Well that is interesting... I guess you just pull the fuse to work on/remove the airbag as a safety precaution then replace it when you are done. Sounds like there are two ways to defeat the airbag trouble light - either install a resister and prevent the trouble light from coming on or remove the bulb so you cant see it.

[Locobob]

Robert - there are hubs of various heights to place the wheel where you might like it. Very easy to determine the height required.

I think I'm going to do the NRG quick release, guess I'm going to have to call them to see which hub is gonna work. I wouldn't mind moving the steering wheel just slightly closer to me for driving comfort, maybe an inch or so.... I have long legs so I drive with the seat nearly all the way rearward.

[-=Jeff=-]

Or bag fuse also powers the ecm, you can remove the DERM and jumper a wire and the car will start. I learned that stuffing a 91 dash in my 89

[WVZR-1]

I think I'm going to do the NRG quick release, guess I'm going to have to call them to see which hub is gonna work. I wouldn't mind moving the steering wheel just slightly closer to me for driving comfort, maybe an inch or so.... I have long legs so I drive with the seat nearly all the way rearward.

The height of an early '90 - '93 steering wheel is 6" and I believe the '94+ should be similar and I believe most of the after-market are considered 0 unless advertised as deep-dish and then they mention the depth of the dish. The 6" is measured to the furthest surface of the steering wheel not the center of the diameter of the steering ring. The after-market I believe I've seen advertised both to center and to the furthest surface. Subtract maybe 5/8" to center height of steering ring for the OE/GM.

[5ABI VT]

Here's a few photos I dug up.

Forgive the aluminum stick on trim.. I laid it in place to see what it would look like.. safe to say it was an easy decision to toss it in the trash. Had the wheel on here, cant recall if the nrg hub was on in the pic
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb463/Emm3Speed/9EC33E91-4863-492B-BB4E-EDE340F388A5-5146-000006B6854CB00A_zpsbb4bb123.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/Emm3Speed/media/9EC33E91-4863-492B-BB4E-EDE340F388A5-5146-000006B6854CB00A_zpsbb4bb123.jpg.html)

Here's a side by side of the momo and hub beside an oem 93 wheel.
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb463/Emm3Speed/A44F4902-50EC-494D-9A06-6242A830DD29-5146-000006B69018C044_zps77e8866d.jpg (http://s1207.photobucket.com/user/Emm3Speed/media/A44F4902-50EC-494D-9A06-6242A830DD29-5146-000006B69018C044_zps77e8866d.jpg.html)


If I remember right there are 2 hubs that will work and one is taller so there are options on where you want the wheel. I chose the shorter hub and nrg hub to get it where I wanted. I also shimmed the column

[-=Jeff=-]

What model wheel is it..hard to see in the pictures

[5ABI VT]

Cant give away all my secrets ;) j/k Ill dig up the model name I cant remember as ive had it for over 8-9 years or longer.