Replacement Steering wheel D2

[DiscoDan]

Has anyone had experience in swapping out the standard steering wheel, with cruise control controls fitted, with one from an ES or HSE.

The ES wheel comes with the stereo controls on it. Can these be removed, with out leaving large holes, or by some twisted fate, be wired into the lower spec radio?

Is there a replacement after-market wheel that has an airbag in it?

Or is the cheap way out the preferred method, buy a leather cover for it.

What causes the hard outer skin to fall off and leave the crumbling stuff under it? Sun or skin oils?

Danny

[sniegy]

Has anyone had experience in swapping out the standard steering wheel, with cruise control controls fitted, with one from an ES or HSE. Yes did it on mine, straight swap

The ES wheel comes with the stereo controls on it. Can these be removed, with out leaving large holes, or by some twisted fate, be wired into the lower spec radio? Can be removed but yes a large hole, I just left them there, no big deal even if they do nothing. If an electronics guru & want to take apart the board on the stereo probably can be done-didnt bother;)

Is there a replacement after-market wheel that has an airbag in it? Not that i know of.

Or is the cheap way out the preferred method, buy a leather cover for it. Try getting an ES/HSE version, are really comfortable & nothing beats the factory wheel (in my opinion)-Try a wrecker - Triumph-Rover spares in Lonsdale S.Aus.

What causes the hard outer skin to fall off and leave the crumbling stuff under it? Sun or skin oils? All the above

Danny

Cheers

[4X4V8]

I've done the same thing; at 89,000km my std wheel was beginning to feel furry at the top. Tho not too bad, was bugging me.

After a few false starts I managed to buy a factory D2 ES two-tone bahama beige/black 2nd hand s/wheel from the US, cost about $100, half the price of a std one I priced here.

Have a look at Ebay US - not Ebay Aus - and you should see heaps of them. Most will ship to Aus. One mob had brand new OE leather wheels in a variety of colours to suit D2 and D2a, but at $500 I didn't think it worth it. Most used ones are around the $100 mark.

Make sure you get the whole steering wheel assembly (minus the airbag). The way to tell is if it still has horn buttons and cruise etc. I suppose you could swap that stuff over but you may as well get the extra bits as spares and some sneaky wreckers pull them off to sell seperately.

The RAVE CD recommends that you disconnect the battery and wait ten minutes before you start work (so you don't deploy the airbag).

I expected to need a steering wheel puller but with a good shove I got my old wheel off.

I have the audio controls and a std Eurovox audio. I don't know how you get them to work (I have not checked the back of the radio to see if there are any plugs that may do the trick - has anyone else?) Only other way is to change the head unit to the ES unit.

[Utemad]

If you get a fancy smancy steering wheel with radio buttons and want them wired into whatever radio happens to be in the car then I should be able to do it for you.

So long as the radio is not detachable face (or so long as you never want to detach it) and that the steering wheel buttons are just buttons without electronics (or we can make them just buttons).

When I got my non airbag Disco1 I planned to change to an airbag steering wheel as I like the look of them more. However mine turned out to be in good condition so I haven't bothered yet. Starting to get rough on the top edge but still solid.

As for what makes it break down I think it is the oils on your skin as mine is only damaged where my right hand sits (one handed steerer here).

[simonr23]

i did this today. bought a good condition used ES wheel, off a D2a from TRS. fitting was a straight swap. i used the new airbag as it is 2 years newer than mine. would be nice to use the audio controls, but i have an aftermarket deck in now, so i guess it's impossible. sooo nice to hold a nice leather wheel than my old crusty rubber one. it's a bit thinner too.

[Utemad]

I got an online quote today for a snorkel and steering wheel to be sent to Brisbane. $125 for p&h! Do they buy it it's own airline ticket :eek:

The steering wheel was pretty expensive but the snorkel was a great price.

Pity my sister doesn't live in Adelaide anymore.

[McDisco]

i did this today. bought a good condition used ES wheel, off a D2a from TRS. fitting was a straight swap. i used the new airbag as it is 2 years newer than mine. would be nice to use the audio controls, but i have an aftermarket deck in now, so i guess it's impossible. sooo nice to hold a nice leather wheel than my old crusty rubber one. it's a bit thinner too.

Simon

Mind if I ask how much you paid? Mine is starting to wear a bit and might need to replace it.

Angus

[simonr23]

$150 with airbag. although i've bought alot off them since i got the car. Phil was quoting "around $200" for a leather 'wheel only'(has horn and cruise switches though) over the phone and $130ish for the regular ones.

[Utemad]

I got quoted $150 for a Disco1 non airbag wheel with cruise buttons. It is not what I asked to be quoted on but that seems pretty steep anyway.