HKB boss kit install - NB8B

[The Green Goblin]

.......has anyone here with aftermarket wheel on NB8B had issues with rego/pink slip?

You may get your Rego, and you may get your pink slip, then...... you may then get pulled over and defected......

* Whatever you do, keep the old steering wheel and airbag, you may need to re-install them.

Yes i see.. Its one of those things isnt it. Will def. hold onto oem wheel.

Cheers,
Jas.

[Suspense]

The airbag is an ADR item. You can't get its removal engineered/approved.

Just to add my experience with my aftermarket wheel, I recently went over the pits for my yellow sticker and neither the police officer or the pit inspection guy mentioned anything about it, I even made a claim on my previous NB (which had a nardi) that I wrote off and had the claim come through no problem. So while it may be illegal and I believe I had some luck involved I don't think it's as severe as everyone makes it out to be; I'm sure the government could find something unroadworthy on most of our cars.

You may get unlucky, but then again you crash into a Ferrari or something expensive and you've given the insurance company/assessor an easy out to void your cover. Up to you whether you think the aftermarket wheel was worth it when the Ferrari owner bankrupts you to recover the damages.

It may be that many cars would have things that make them unroadworthy, but there's simply no counterargument with the removal of the steering wheel airbag. Not worth the risk on a road car in my opinion.

[/Morlock]

[The Green Goblin]

The airbag is an ADR item. You can't get its removal engineered/approved.

Just to add my experience with my aftermarket wheel, I recently went over the pits for my yellow sticker and neither the police officer or the pit inspection guy mentioned anything about it, I even made a claim on my previous NB (which had a nardi) that I wrote off and had the claim come through no problem. So while it may be illegal and I believe I had some luck involved I don't think it's as severe as everyone makes it out to be; I'm sure the government could find something unroadworthy on most of our cars.

You may get unlucky, but then again you crash into a Ferrari or something expensive and you've given the insurance company/assessor an easy out to void your cover. Up to you whether you think the aftermarket wheel was worth it when the Ferrari owner bankrupts you to recover the damages.

It may be that many cars would have things that make them unroadworthy, but there's simply no counterargument with the removal of the steering wheel airbag. Not worth the risk on a road car in my opinion.

[/Morlock]

Both valid points however, thats a worst case scenario that is a little extreme, unless your an absolute turd behind the wheel to hit an expensive car.. Let alone an exotic euro. Ive never had to claim at fault & i aim to keep it that way. Im sure we all excecise some degree of care when we drive our pride & joy. The reason why ins companies do so well is simple, high amount of premiums & little outgoings/pay out claims.. That is an indication in itself. On that note lets see what the ins company says.

Having been in the modified car scene for quite a while im sure you can agree that you can be pulled up for any modification, the fact that its not Oem allows opportunity for police to pounce.

As for the counter argument, there are 2..my knees wont be in the way & the smaller diameter suede wheel seriously feels much better : )

Cheers.

[MadMikey]

Sounds like you're speaking from expirence Morlock, how many Ferraris have you hit? Until someone shows some examples of their claims being denied over just the steering wheel I won't worry about the advice of random forum users.

[greenltd]

I don't understand why anyone would want to remove a device that may save their face. I don't care how great a driver you are, it only takes some other idiot to stuff up causing you to crash. An airbag may save your face from smashing though the windscreen. Is a nicer looking wheel really that important?

[speed freak]

Or the air bag COULD do serious damage in an accident. To some, the fact the factory steering wheel is biggish and the fact you cant move it up or down in or out, it tends to get in the way for some people if they have long legs. Fitting a smaller diameter wheel fixes that issue and enables the person to fit more comfortably to enjoy their car.

[The Green Goblin]

I don't understand why anyone would want to remove a device that may save their face. I don't care how great a driver you are, it only takes some other idiot to stuff up causing you to crash. An airbag may save your face from smashing though the windscreen. Is a nicer looking wheel really that important?

Its not just about a nicer looking wheel mate. for me it's the set up i am after..the overall driving feel that i want - as speed freak mentioned. the oem wheel is too large & bulky, i have long legs & my knees tend to get in the way, so my preference is to change it.. i am aware of the risks of doing it, but as stated i dont drive this car every day & when it is dríven on roads i drive with caution.

called & spoke to just car ins assessing department, who confirmed removal of the oem air bag equiped wheel with replacement of non air bag aftermarket wheel will not have bearing on claims as a modification. in my case i have third party fire & theft so if i were at fault with a ferrari fxx or bugatti veyron they would still take care of the damaged car.

& on that bombshell...

Jas.

[jimmy_vee]

I have an incredibly limited understanding on this subject, so I'm not going to make any suggestions on what you should do with your car, but I will tell you to do some research on your seatbelt. There are a lot of threads on Miata.net and other forums that recommend changing your seatbelt to one from an earlier non-airbag MX5 if you swap your steering wheel.