Steve 96C4S

I went to the Hershey Swap meet today and found a 3 month old used 2001 3 spoke 996 steering wheel minus the airbag for $200. The gent that was selling the wheel said he wasn't sure that it would fit my car, nor did anyone else that worked at his high tech booth! I was surprised, as I was almost sure that ALL 996 wheels are a direct replacement for my wheel, but he wasn't 100% positive, and wasn't comfortable selling it to me because he didn't want to stick me with a wheel I can't use. Another guy at his booth said he thought it was a different "hub" (?) and that it may not work, but he didn't know either.

Is a 2001 model 996 steering wheel going to work on my car? I really like the 3 spoke wheel. Lastly, is the 996 any smaller than my wheel? I didn't think it was from previous posts I vaguely remember, but I thought I'd check with the experts. My uncle asked me "why would you spend so much on a wheel and airbag if it's the SAME exact size as your wheel?" I really like the 3 spoke design and it looks nicer. Has anyone upgraded to the 996/Boxster "S" steering wheel and regretted the switch?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

max911

Yes, it will fit.

The diameter of the steering wheel is almost identical, the 996 wheel is a couple of mm smaller IIRC. The diameter of the rim is also very close.

My only regret was not changing it sooner

max

Mark in Baltimore

It should fit, Steve. Todd B has one in his 993; it looks hot.

Chuck W.

$200 for just the wheel is too much. A plain black one on eBay is going for around $125. Its the airbags that are a killer. I just made the switch. It is a vast improvement.

Steve 96C4S

Thanks guys - so it WILL fit. Good. But Chuck, you say the steering wheel at $200 is too much? He claimed that if he put it on Ebay it would do $250. I have a gentleman who is going to sell me an airbag from his 996 for $300 (he bought the leather airbag instead of the vinyl one that's standard on most 996's) so the whole thing would be $520 including shipping for the steering wheel ($210 inc shipping) and the airbag from the other guy ($310).

Is this not a fair price for the combo? I've seen people on here pay as much as $650 or more for the combo.

Lastly, I plan on just letting my independent put the new wheel on when I bring it in for my next service. Or, is it something totally simple - fitting the airbag into the wheel and taking off my old wheel? I'm NOT a DIY'er - not a good one. Is this a pain, or a breeze? And, how do I know the airbag the guy is selling me (from the 996 board) is in perfect shape and completely reliable? Is there a way to tell?

It's DOA at Tischer Porsche now, so hopefully I'll get it back soon! It died on the way to the Hershey Swap Meet. DME? Alternator? A very embarrassing day, stuck on the side of a road for over an hour while cars stared at me and my dilemma...

Steve

Carrera Mike

Steve,

Hope your car will be fixed soon.

Yes the 996 steering wheel will fit just fine.

Yes the removal and replacement is real simple:

-Disconnect the battery.

-Un-screw the 2 torx #30 screw that holds the air bag from your current steering wheel. You will need to turn your wheel 90 degree to have room for the torx screw driver.

-Carefully pull the air bag and disconnect the electrical harness from the bag(yellow connector).

-Disconnect the 2 horn elect connectors.

-Turn your steering wheel dead straight and un-screw the big nut(I believe 21mm).

-Install your new wheel and do the rest reversing this procedure.

I'll print the page from the 993 manual and post it here later.

~Mike

max911

Steve, I don't think $200 is a bad price. Chuck got a REALLY good deal at $125. I paid about $275 shipped for mine a while back from a Suncoast Ebay auction. It was brand new.
The price for the wheels has dropped somewhat in the last while. There must be more 996 owners switching to carbon fiber or aftermarket wheels.
$520 is not a bad price for the combo IMO.
After you have it in the car for a time, you will then be able to tell yourself if it was worth it or not.
As I have heard before, if you are going to spend money on the interior, spend it on the parts you touch, before the parts you look at: A quality seat, steering wheel, and shifter.

max

Steve 96C4S

Thanks Max and Mike!

I think I'm going to go for it. Did either of you get the actual leather airbag or is just the vinyl one? The leather one is VERY expensive new...

I'll let you know how it goes in the end.

Steve

LAURIER

Steve,

You did okay with the wheel. This is an old post from when I replaced my wheel. The pricing probably has increased since then.

3 Spoke Wheel

Chuck W.

Here are some of the 3 spoke steering wheels on eBay right now. Some are tipronic and one is leather and wood. I have seen carbon ones go for several hundred dollars but the plain ones regularly sell in the low hundred range. Just plug “Porsche steering wheel” in to the eBay search and they are always listed.

As far as the install, I am a not a good DIY'er and have ten thumbs and did it without any trouble. It is very easy and Mike’s instructions are right on.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

Carrera Mike

Steve, This is the direct cut and paste out of the 993 manual:

48 10 19 Removing and installing steering wheel (airbag)
Removal

1. Disconnect battery and cover terminal or
battery .

2. Remove driver airbag unit, undoing both
fastening screws with a socket Torx T 30
wrench.
Disconnect connector at airbag unit and at
steering wheel (for signal horn).
Note
To prevent inadvertent turning of the contact
unit (CU) when the steering wheel is
removed, the CU is locked automatically
when the steering wheel is pulled back.
In the same manner, the CU is unlocked automatically
when the steering wheel is placed
back into position.

3. Undo hexagon head nut and lift off complete
with spring washer.

4. Turn wheel to straight-ahead position.
Then mark position of steering wheel to
steering shaft (for reassembly). Take off
steering wheel (in straight-ahead position).
Note

Installation
1. Fit steering wheel with the wheels in
straight-ahead position or according to the
dismantling marks in such a manner that the
upper steering wheel spokes are horizontal.
Caution: Do not trap the wire of the contact
unit.
Replace the fastening screws whenever they
have been undone.
The airbag unit must always be stowed away
with the padded side facing up.
When the airbag unit remains removed for a
longer perdiod of time, it must be stored in a
safe place.
Observe safety specifications.
Steering 911 Carrera (993)
2. Fit hexagon head nut with spring washer
and tighten to 45 Nm (33 ftlb.).
3. Install driver's airbag. Use new fastening
screws.
Tightening torque: 10 Nm (7 ftlb.)
4. Check operation of signal horn.


>>>>>

When you're torquing it back, I would jam my knee on the new steering wheel to counter act the torquing direction.

My airbag is neither vinyl nor leather, it's actually thin rubber.

Chuck W.

Steve

Here are 3 Spoke Steering wheels that have SOLD recently on eBay. FYI, good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33704

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2469304930

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2469307200

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2467569345

max911

EDIT : Chuck posted the above links to the completed auctions before I finished typing my response below... (so some of what i say may seem stupid )....It certainly looks like one person got a great deal on a black 3spoke for a manual car!! $111. 00 !!

Chuck, none of those are a black all leather wheel for a manual trans. car. The tiptronic wheels usually go for about half of the price of the regular wheel. I know because I am trying to sell one . If you get lucky, you can pick one up for $150 plus shipping...but I would say the norm is somewhat higher. Retail is over $600, so getting one in nice condition for $200 is not overpaying IMHO. The wood wheels are harder to pin down. Sometimes they'll hardly get a bid, sometimes they will go for a big price.
Also, you may want to check "completed items" on ebay when you do the search. This is a good way to gauge actual prices, as opposed to auctions with a few days left.

again, just my 2 cents



max

LeeR

Here's mine, which I bought from Gert. Order took 6 months, as factory is backed up. Also a photo of one I bought on ebay for my Boxster. 993, Boxster, and 996 wheels are interchangeable.

Steve 96C4S

Nice pics guys, and great info for me. I feel pretty special right now, with all you helping me! I read all the old posts in that link about the 3 spoke wheel, and I feel much smarter .

I think I'm going to go for a leather airbag piece instead of the vinyl one if I can find a nice one for a good price. I REALLY prefer the all leather look.

Lee: Where did you buy your shifter? Gert doesn't seem to sell the round ball shifters anymore, just the MY02 ones... unless I'm not navigating his site correctly.

Steve