Nardi wooden steering wheel

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:20 am

I have a NA8 with a standard Nardi steering wheel

I'm looking to buy a timber one....

Can I buy just the wheel and reuse the existing button?
or do i have to buy a New Horn button as well?

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 6:37 pm

It might be worth checking if its legal to change. Steering wheels would be covered by ADR.

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Wed Jul 09, 2014 7:19 pm

Anything is possible.....I know I can't fit a roll bar without an engineering certification

I assumed it would be ok....the NA8 doesn't have airbags
and there a NA model that is factory fitted with a Timber NARDI steering wheel !?!?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 12:30 pm

Odd wrote:Can I buy just the wheel and reuse the existing button?
or do i have to buy a New Horn button as well?

You could reuse the existing horn button, but it would not look neat as it's not a flat horn button, ie the centre is raised by 1cm to be just below the centre of the covering cushion pad. I'll upload a pic shortly (camera battery is flat). Ref legality, some NA6 owners here in Vic find they get refused a Roadworthy Certificate for not having the original centre cushion pad fitted to the Momo steering wheel, but it might be different in QLD, & again it may only be an issue for some or for some of the time.

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:19 pm

From Vehicle Standards Bulletin 14

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/ ... _ncop.aspx

4.9 STEERING WHEELS
Replacement steering wheels must not affect compliance with ADR 10 (after 1970) and ADR 69
(after June 1995). Unless a steering wheel is marked, or has accompanying information, as
having been tested to the appropriate ADR, it must not be used as a replacement. In addition,
for vehicles required to comply with ADR 69, the steering wheel assembly must be identical to
one fitted as an option to the same model by the vehicle manufacturer, or alternatively, a
steering wheel that has been certified by the replacement wheel manufacturer as a complying
wheel for the specific make and model may be used.
Replacement steering wheels should not be less than 330mm in diameter. If the original
steering wheel was designed with a recessed or padded hub, the replacement wheel should be
of a similar design.
Removable steering wheels must not be fitted.

Makes you wonder how many people in MX5 Club are driving around in illegally modified vehicles.....???
I'd say most!!!

Just re-read the quote....my vehicle was manufactured in early 1995....prior to June....therefore ADR 69
doesn't apply....therefore no padding needed!!!

all NA6's shouldn't need to comply with ADR 69!?!?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:25 pm

Odd wrote:Just re-read the quote....my vehicle was manufactured in early 1995....prior to June....therefore ADR 69
doesn't apply....therefore no padding needed!!!

all NA6's shouldn't need to comply with ADR 69!?!?

Unfortunately many RWC suppliers wouldn't be that familiar with the ADRs. Some of the RWC suppliers that are sufficiently familiar with MX5s seem to take the view that the centre crash pad is a factory safety item, which if not fitted, presents an issue. My NA8 had a Momo Corse steering wheel (no centre pad) fitted by Canterbury Mazda in 1993. Original owner never had an issue with it in NSW & neither have I in the ACT & Vic since 2004.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 4:59 pm

CIMG0888.JPG

CIMG0889.JPG

CIMG0890.JPG

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:24 pm

My guess would be that if the originally fitted wheel was recessed or padded then a replacement would also.

Odd · Postby **Odd** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:10 am

Replacement steering wheels should not be less than 330mm in diameter. If the original
steering wheel was designed with a recessed or padded hub, the replacement wheel should be
of a similar design.

Thanks Mr Morlock

Your interpretation is that this clause refers to all vehicles....not just those where ADR 69 applies?

Thanks 93 Clubman....

would a spacer behind the wheel work?

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:00 pm

Odd wrote:would a spacer behind the wheel work?

If you mean to make the horn button sit flush, unfortunately not as the outer plastic circumference of the horn button sits on top of & in contact with the outer/upper face of the steering wheel. In other words, it's the centre post of the '93-'95 NA8 horn button that's raised by 1cm.