Aftermarket Steering Wheels

[Whoa Black Boaty]

I have ruined my steering wheel from using a steering lock. The sun/heat sticks the metal to the leather steering wheel and peals it off.
So I'm going aftermarket.
I like the look of wooden by nardi. also suede d shape by key!s
Can someone with experience recommend material and shape of wheel. Pros and cons.
Cheers.

[89CAL]

You dont have an air bag do you? If so it will be illegal to put a steering wheel with no airbag on

Just get whatever you like, I bought a Momo Race, nice simple design

[Whoa Black Boaty]

No airbag, i have a 95 r33 gts. I don't think any came with an airbag.
I like the look of wood but is it shit to drive with?
Do I also need to buy an aftermarket boss kit from the brand i buy the wheel from? or is the boss kit separate and does that fit on all aftermarket steering wheels? (1 size fit all)

[D.I.Y. Mik]

Offset.

You gotta think about offset, or whatever you get wont work right.

So sit in your car with the seat adjusted for your legs to be at the perfect position. Then measure how far off your hands are from being at the perfect position.

Boss kits and wheels come in different offsets, so both will add up to the perfect offset for you if you get the right ones.

I like my 50mm deep dish ( i have long legs ) Velo suede, with the yellow band at the top. Good for racing and stuff.

Edited December 21, 2014 by D.I.Y. Mik

[GTofuS-T]

I've had a wooden steering wheel on a previous car and really liked the firm feel of it, the steel centre was a bitch in the sun though.

On the other hand I bought a cheap momo replica for a different car and it had too much flex in it so it was pretty shitty to drive with.

Boss kits are unique to the car (at the car end, i.e. different pitch in the shaft thread) however are universal on the steering wheel end).

[The Bogan]

A good slim boss with a good quality bearing quick release with a good quality steering wheel, steering wheel depth worked out with depth of boss and quick release.

They cannot pinch my car if it doesn't have a steering wheel, well they can but it makes it damn hard.

Good boss's and quick release's can be sourced of flea bay if you pick the right brands (beware there is some cheap trash out there), no name or replica steering wheels are rubbish.

Apart from the usual suspects like Nardi and Momo, the only cheapish brand I believe that has any form of strength is Autotechnica ($150ish from Super Cheap).

Some racing series don't like wood steering wheels because they are dangerous in a prang.

Be aware that the centre of the steering wheel may need some form of padding to be legal, MOMO do a padded centre (hard to come by) as do Autotechnica.

Suede is porn, I would have a suede wheel but with the roof down on the 5 the sun eats the suede, I am currently running a HKB short boss, NRG Gen 2.5 quick release with a padded centre 350mm Autotechnica leather wheel.

Some boss kits are not universal and will only suit MOMO or Nardi style wheels.

[Whoa Black Boaty]

Offset.

You gotta think about offset, or whatever you get wont work right.

So sit in your car with the seat adjusted for your legs to be at the perfect position. Then measure how far off your hands are from being at the perfect position.

Boss kits and wheels come in different offsets, so both will add up to the perfect offset for you if you get the right ones.

I like my 50mm deep dish ( i have long legs ) Velo suede, with the yellow band at the top. Good for racing and stuff.

Thanks awesome info, Yeah i'm 6'3 and just fit in my r33. seat all the way back and i put the stock steering wheel as high as it can come up for my legs.

I've had a wooden steering wheel on a previous car and really liked the firm feel of it, the steel centre was a bitch in the sun though.

On the other hand I bought a cheap momo replica for a different car and it had too much flex in it so it was pretty shitty to drive with.

Boss kits are unique to the car (at the car end, i.e. different pitch in the shaft thread) however are universal on the steering wheel end).

Yeah i have a steel nismo gear shifter knob and it get's hella hot in the sun so I'm used to burning my hands already.

Thanks perfect info about the boss kits. so if I wanted a quick release so i could take the wheel inside my house with me to prevent it being stolen. someone would just need to have any aftermarket steering wheel? I want it to prevent people stealing. Is that the same with all boss kits or is quick release something else.

A good slim boss with a good quality bearing quick release with a good quality steering wheel, steering wheel depth worked out with depth of boss and quick release.

They cannot pinch my car if it doesn't have a steering wheel, well they can but it makes it damn hard.

Good boss's and quick release's can be sourced of flea bay if you pick the right brands (beware there is some cheap trash out there), no name or replica steering wheels are rubbish.

Apart from the usual suspects like Nardi and Momo, the only cheapish brand I believe that has any form of strength is Autotechnica ($150ish from Super Cheap).

Some racing series don't like wood steering wheels because they are dangerous in a prang.

Be aware that the centre of the steering wheel may need some form of padding to be legal, MOMO do a padded centre (hard to come by) as do Autotechnica.

Suede is porn, I would have a suede wheel but with the roof down on the 5 the sun eats the suede, I am currently running a HKB short boss, NRG Gen 2.5 quick release with a padded centre 350mm Autotechnica leather wheel.

Some boss kits are not universal and will only suit MOMO or Nardi style wheels.

Thanks very much, so much good info in there

Yeah most wood have steel in the middle with no padding just a horn. so i guess that would be a no go for most wooden. wood would look ugly with padding anyway. I don't have an airbag so i accept that I'm going to get f**ked up if i have a decent crash anyway. just have to try and avoid them.

That's 50% of the reason why i want to have an aftermarket wheel. so i can take it off the prevent it getting stolen. (not so i can show people my swag).

I like this suede one by key!s

Still no padding so i will have to check out the laws in NSW

Cheers everyone!

[The Bogan]

The pic you posted has a quick release hub on it.

Google NRG Gen 2.5 to see what I mean.

The thief would need a compatible quick release and wheel to steer the car.

Ill take a pic of mine in a sec.

[Whoa Black Boaty]

Okay so the quick release is in between the steering wheel and boss kit. Is that correct?
Sorry I'm a newb

[The Bogan]

Bam

[Whoa Black Boaty]

Thanks heaps mate

[niZmO_Man]

I wish Nardi did padded centres

[Whoa Black Boaty]

Confirmed illegal in NSW? ^

[GTofuS-T]

I could be wrong, but I'm sure I've seen quick release hubs that come with a cover that requires a key to remove? To avoid that savvy thief who brings his own.

And yes quick release is additional to the boss kit.

And for swag I'd totally get a nice briefcase to keep the steering wheel in when you remove it

[Whoa Black Boaty]

Like a sir