Steering wheel leather repair

fcruz3r · Postby **fcruz3r** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:19 pm

My nb steering is in very poor condition and I can't find anything 2nd hand with the airbag deployed ( steering with airbag cost too much and my current wheel still has airbag intact)

Where can I get this refurbished .....also I don't like the wheelskin option as a matter of personal preference.

TieNN89 · Postby **TieNN89** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:14 am

What do you mean by wheelskin option?

You could always get a motor trimmer to redo the leather which would make it like new.
Or if you like a bit of DIY you could attempt it yourself
These guys seems to be pretty good at it http://www.redlinegoods.com/Miatashiftboot.php

fcruz3r · Postby **fcruz3r** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:22 am

Wheelskin as in a leather cover around the original wheel. Makes the steering fatter and its already quite a thick grip as it is.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:24 am

Is it an NB8A or NB8B? (does the middle spoke have the Nardi logo embedded in it?)

I seem to remember the Mazda 323 or 626 of the same time period had a steering wheel that looked identical to the MX5 (I think the NB8B)

Perhaps look for one of them? there's a higher likelihood of one of those having had a crash and deploying the bag.

fcruz3r · Postby **fcruz3r** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:45 pm

NB8A ...pretty sure (sorry only got the car about 2 weeks ago and still not up to speed with the different models)

but it's the one with the nardi logo on the steering wheel.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 12:54 pm

fcruz3r wrote:NB8A ...pretty sure (sorry only got the car about 2 weeks ago and still not up to speed with the different models)

but it's the one with the nardi logo on the steering wheel.

An easy way to tell.

NB8A has the nardi logo dead centre.

NB8B has the Mazda logo dead centre, and the Nardi logo on the bottom spoke.

I'm pretty sure the Mazda 323 used the second type around 2001 or so.

bootz · Postby **bootz** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:00 pm

Prob. both are the same wheel with diff centre.

I don't see the 323 being fitted with an Italian leather steering wheel. Did they have a premium model with it?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:05 pm

bootz wrote:Prob. both are the same wheel with diff centre.

Yes, but put an NB8B wheel on and NB8A and you'll have two Nardi logos.

bootz wrote:I don't see the 323 being fitted with an Italian leather steering wheel. Did they have a premium model with it?

It may have just been the SP20 or the Sport versions?

fcruz3r · Postby **fcruz3r** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:39 pm

yupp definately the nb8a then....exactly like the 1st pic.

anyways there doesn't seem to be anything on ebay....might just import a used one from japan coz there's not that many wreckers around perth that carry parts for the mx5

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:41 pm

fcruz3r wrote:yupp definately the nb8a then....exactly like the 1st pic.

anyways there doesn't seem to be anything on ebay....might just import a used one from japan coz there's not that many wreckers around perth that carry parts for the mx5

Try other Aussie ones first.

MX5 Mania are in Sydney.
Allmaz are in Melbourne (I personally use them)
MX5 Plus is in QLD

I'm sure there's more I've forgotten, but give some a call, they might be willing to post one for a lot cheaper than buying one from Japan.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:01 pm

TieNN89 wrote:What do you mean by wheelskin option?

You could always get a motor trimmer to redo the leather which would make it like new.
Or if you like a bit of DIY you could attempt it yourself
These guys seems to be pretty good at it http://www.redlinegoods.com/Miatashiftboot.php

I got mine from redlinegoods and decided that since I wanted it to look good, and my sewing skills are NILL, I'd get a professional trimmer to install it on a 2nd-hand wheel (used my original airbag) I bought from MX5 Plus (there was nothing wrong with my wheel, I just wanted it to match my new German-Grey door-insert theme).

I'll warn you now that it will be hard to find a trimmer prepared to do it since it's a LOT of work and must be done slowly.

The guy I found who was prepared to do it actually spends more time doing boat-trimming so don't just limit yourself to auto-trimmers when looking around. After doing it, he said that the redlinegoods trim was a little tighter than he'd like and suggested that I should have just got him to make one from scratch so that's what I'd suggest you do too.

Here's what mine looks like for you to decide:

Charcoal Grey leather wheel, Charcoal-Grey Handbrake Boot, German-Grey painted door inserts:

Charcoal Grey leather wheel, Charcoal Grey leather door inserts, Charcoal-Grey and Black Handbrake and Gearstick Boots (all from redlinegoods):

The wheel looks like a factory-finish and has held up very well - you can't say that about most steering wheel covers.

fcruz3r · Postby **fcruz3r** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:50 pm

that does look good. just as a ballpark, how much did it cost for labour at the auto-trimmers?

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 5:15 pm

Have you checked ruperwrecht ( spelling?) Jdm parts for sale on Atsina gt? Google Atsina gt and follow your nose. Often has 323 nardi wheels with and without airbag.

Alternatively if its just the outer loose on the core you can have that repaired on car. I think the drill and glue in a couple of locations.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 7:58 pm

fcruz3r wrote:that does look good. just as a ballpark, how much did it cost for labour at the auto-trimmers?

It was $130 and worth every penny IMO (I probably would have had to re-do it multiple times).

Kev05 · Postby **Kev05** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:46 pm

fcruz3r wrote:I can't find anything 2nd hand with the airbag deployed ( steering with airbag cost too much and my current wheel still has airbag intact)

Send you a PM.