Picture the scene, I'm hoofing down some back lanes, feet dancing on the pedals, hands a whirl on the wheel, coolant dripping unseen from the heater ducts... anyway I conclude my drive, cool down, park up, shut off and am stunned by the sheer amount of crud I have all over my hands.

Time for a new steering wheel, or one of those natty Halfrauds covers.

 

I chance upon a gentleman on Facebook breaking a Z but 4 miles from my home.

 

I turn up at his place, pay a very reasonable sum and leave with, amongst other things, a less un-shiny steering wheel. Mediocre at best, but not split and shedding crusty black bits everywhere.

 

I jolly on home, swag in hand, grin on face. Pop the cover off the centre, brace the wheel, loosen the nut, apply careful walloping to free the wheel from the splines, align the new wheel and.... it doesnae fit.

 

I had a look and, as you can see, absolutely no chance in current state.

The round bits on the back appear similar apart from one being on the car and the other on the wheel, but have different wiring for the horn.

 

 

My car is a 1990 SWB N/A, the centre of the 'original' wheel has the cruise buttons but the car does not have cruise, unsure as to whether it ever did or not.

The car the new wheel came off is believed to be/have been a 1991/2 and was most certainly N/A. Does not have cruise on the wheel which suits me fine. Faces appear to be interchangeable anyway.

 

So, long story short, what do I have here?

Original wheel is on the left.

 

 

Can these be swapped? I just want a good rim

(said the nun to the bishop)

 

 

Cheers guys.

Picture the scene, I'm hoofing down some back lanes, feet dancing on the pedals, hands a whirl on the wheel, coolant dripping unseen from the heater ducts... anyway I conclude my drive, cool down, park up, shut off and am stunned by the sheer amount of crud I have all over my hands.

Time for a new steering wheel, or one of those natty Halfrauds covers.

 

I chance upon a gentleman on Facebook breaking a Z but 4 miles from my home.

 

I turn up at his place, pay a very reasonable sum and leave with, amongst other things, a less un-shiny steering wheel. Mediocre at best, but not split and shedding crusty black bits everywhere.

 

I jolly on home, swag in hand, grin on face. Pop the cover off the centre, brace the wheel, loosen the nut, apply careful walloping to free the wheel from the splines, align the new wheel and.... it doesnae fit.

 

I had a look and, as you can see, absolutely no chance in current state.

The round bits on the back appear similar apart from one being on the car and the other on the wheel, but have different wiring for the horn.

 

 

My car is a 1990 SWB N/A, the centre of the 'original' wheel has the cruise buttons but the car does not have cruise, unsure as to whether it ever did or not.

The car the new wheel came off is believed to be/have been a 1991/2 and was most certainly N/A. Does not have cruise on the wheel which suits me fine. Faces appear to be interchangeable anyway.

 

So, long story short, what do I have here?

Original wheel is on the left.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]109889[/ATTACH]

 

Can these be swapped? I just want a good rim

(said the nun to the bishop)

 

 

Cheers guys.

Your new wheel is a simple na one yes. It uses a horn contact instead of the plug on the rotating assembly. If you take the contact plate off, you could wire the horn to the centre pin on the plug. Or swap the centres (I think)

Your new wheel is a simple na one yes. It uses a horn contact instead of the plug on the rotating assembly. If you take the contact plate off, you could wire the horn to the centre pin on the plug. Or swap the centres (I think)

 

I take it they are disassemblable(?) then? The rotating electrical things worry me, as does all electrical stuff and I'd really rather the horn worked!

If it's just a case of poking a wire onto a pin though, I think I can handle that!

 

So long as the wheel will physically fit on the splined shaft is the main thing.

 

 

Was there a particular reason for changing what looks to be a fairly complex part after only 2-3 years? Sounds weird from a manufacturers point of view, but then again, it's Nissan. They only put a chassis rail on one side of the S13 so who knows with them!

I take it they are disassemblable(?) then? The rotating electrical things worry me, as does all electrical stuff and I'd really rather the horn worked!

If it's just a case of poking a wire onto a pin though, I think I can handle that!

 

So long as the wheel will physically fit on the splined shaft is the main thing.

 

 

Was there a particular reason for changing what looks to be a fairly complex part after only 2-3 years? Sounds weird from a manufacturers point of view, but then again, it's Nissan. They only put a chassis rail on one side of the S13 so who knows with them!

They changed it to add an airbag to the wheel for regulations.

 

On the right, the plastic bit with the contact should pry off the wheel if you give it a tug (try not to rip the wire out). Then I believe you should be met by a familiar sight.

Your new wheel is a simple na one yes. It uses a horn contact instead of the plug on the rotating assembly. If you take the contact plate off, you could wire the horn to the centre pin on the plug. Or swap the centres (I think)

 

Ah, blasted safety measures.

 

Gentle tugging I shall try. Thought it might be something to do with the screws inside but that makes more sense.

 

It's great to have such a wealth of knowledge on here

 

Cheers!

Edited December 20, 20178 yr by Punning Clan
adding quote

Hmm maybe there are screws on the inside? It's been a long time since I've taken apart an na wheel. But put simply you need to remove that contact bit.