TRUESCOTSMAN

Anyone know if there is an airbag wheel from any of the other p-cars that is a straight fit for my S4. Not realy bothered about the bag working. Just think that they look far better and more modern.......Jim

Nicole

Many of us would like that, but it's not recommended. There are too many things that need to work together in airbag equipped cars, that you'd be running a very high risk.

However, if you don't mind spending about $1k, you can call Tech Art in Germany and get their airbag wheel for the 928 in any color combination you like (full leather). It's a great looking wheel, and you can be sure it's fully compatible with the beast, even TÜV approved!

Wild Bill

I've thought about this same thing... But, I believe most if not all of the newer wheels out there have a smaller splined shaft than the 928. Still wondering if it would be feasable to rework the hub to fit the 928 shaft. Lots of boxter wheels going for cheap on eBay that would look really sharp on a Shark if we could pull this off.

Of course, with air bag guts removed to be on the safe side... Hmmm, may just have to buy one of the $50 buggered up ones and give it a try. Where there is a will, there is a way!

Regards,
Bill

NYDolfan

Here's a link that describes the procedure....

Steering Wheel Replacement

Wild Bill

Thanks Pete.

I've already checked that out and although it looks better, to me it still looks dated. The wheel is from a 944 if I remember correctly.

So, has anyone attempted a Boxter, 993 or other recent YM three of four spoke hub conversion?

... just cuz they said it could not be done! Which doesn't seem to mean much to some of the more talented and determined folks out there... or would it be more appropriate to say the tormented and deranged!

- Bill

Tom in Austin

It can be done on a 968 (see the posting link below), and undoubtedly 928 and all other Porsches used the same early airbag wheel. The key is to install the newer clock-spring-thing from a 996, then any 993, 996 or Boxster wheel is fair game ...

http://65.61.16.109/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7130

NYDolfan

Bill -

I using the same method from that site for a 3 spoke tiptronic 996 wheel that I'm installing on my non-airbag S4.

I did the same process - got an extended hub from a 928 - cut off the spline from the 996 wheel so it's flush - bolted the extened hub to the 996 wheel to make sure it fit properly...

next is to disassemble it - bolt the extended hub to the steering shaft, then the 996 wheel to the extended hub.

the plan is to wire the tip switches to the kickdown switch. I just have to figure a way for the wires not to get tangled when the wheel is turned....

Wild Bill

Thanks guys!

Leaving out the details, it sounds straight forward enough. I'm definitely gonna do it then...

You know, that's another beauty of this list. If you don't like the previous answers you've received, simply ask again and again until someone gives you the answer you want.

Uh-oh, I think I hear the safety police coming... I'd better get off-line before one of them talks me out of this.

Tom in Austin

The solution for the tip wheel is just a different clock-spring thing that carries the signals for the tip switches along with the horn and airbag. Before airbags, the horn contact just rode along a conductive ring, but when airbags came along all the electrical connections were done by the clock-spring thing

TRUESCOTSMAN

Nicole. It is just the look i am going for. I am not interested in the air bag. If i am daft enough to bump the shark, i deserve to hit the windshield.

Bill. It was the boxter type wheel that i had in mind as there is a lot of them about.

Pete. I dont fancy the cut and bolt idea. The thought of something loosening off, and not being able to make a turn does not appeal to me.

Tom, could not get the pictures to come up from the 968 forum.

Thanks for the replies everyone.....Jim

Nicole

Does your shark have airbags now? In the US, the '91 models had standard airbags, not sure about the UK right hand drive models.

If your car has no airbags now, it is unlikely you could make them work correctly anyway. If you car currently has airbags and you mess with them, you need to know very well what you are doing - otherwise you could injure yourself during or after the process.

And you never know when somebody else does something stupid - in that case I'm sure you would not want to hit the windshield, would you?

TRUESCOTSMAN

No airbags on my S4 Nichole. I try to keep all the stupid people behind me.LOL.....................Jim