Smaller diameter airbag steering wheel?

[TheSecondChris]

Did Porsche make two sizes of airbag steering wheels - sport and non-sport?

The PET says all of the airbag wheels are "sport" which would mean that none of them are actually the smaller sport size. The airbag wheel in my 1987 is too large and the best option would be to switch to a smaller airbag version, but I'm thinking this may not exist.

Alternatively, I'll have to backdate to the 86 style non-airbag sport wheel.

Thanks for any insights.

[kdjones2000]

Don't think that any exist. All airbag wheels are the same AFAIK.

If you are backdating, you will need an '86 turn signal stalk setup to retain your horn. You will also need to disable your airbag setup as well, or get resistors to prevent a fault. Once you do that, you can just get a Momo wheel of your choice and an adapter hub.

[GregAmy]

Have you driven with a smaller wheel?

My '92 968 came with a 350mm Momo. I hated it. First, it increased the steering effort to the point of being really annoying. Second, it blocked all the peripheral gauges (coolant temp and volts, and almost the top of the speedo).

I replaced it with a Momo 370mm wheel and I'm much, much happier.

You might want to try one before you spend the coin on it. - GA

[walfreyydo]

Originally Posted by TheSecondChris

Did Porsche make two sizes of airbag steering wheels - sport and non-sport?

The PET says all of the airbag wheels are "sport" which would mean that none of them are actually the smaller sport size. The airbag wheel in my 1987 is too large and the best option would be to switch to a smaller airbag version, but I'm thinking this may not exist.

Alternatively, I'll have to backdate to the 86 style non-airbag sport wheel.

Thanks for any insights.

Or just go aftermarket, ie momo or the like.

[TheSecondChris]

Thanks everyone. I was reluctant to convert from airbag wheel to non-airbag wheel, but that's what I decided to try. The airbag wheel isn't so attractive but my real problem with it is the large size forces me to assume an uncomfortable driving position.

I purchased a 968 club sport wheel to try. If I don't like it, I'll just sell it.

[TheSecondChris]

I was able to install the 968cs wheel yesterday. I inserted a 3 ohm resistor into the clockspring plug to prevent airbag fault. I'll go back next week for Phase 2 where I hook up the horn.

I really like the appearance of the wheel and there's no noticeable reduction of visibility of my gauge cluster.

Surprisingly, the car feels more nimble and seems like there's less effort (not more) needed to turn the wheel.

[TheSecondChris]

I finished my 968CS wheel install which involved a backdate to a non-airbag wheel. the second part of the project is getting the horn to work. I modified the turn signal assembly to accept the horn wiper piece (928 part number). This required me to drill through the plate (from the rear) pin 71 clearly marked. Then, with a Dremel tool, I had to carefully enlarge it to fit the mounting tabs. There is also a small locator pin that I had to drill.

As others have noted, you need to make a small 6-12 inch wire jumper to connect the stock horn wire connector and the new pin emerging from #71. You can DIY something but I spend a few dollars on N0175994 (elec.round connector) and am glad I did.





Other than that, it's plug-n-play. I went the extra step to swap-in the non-airbag dashboard trim (w/o the weird looking rubber accordion piece which also has two screws instead of 4 and has a flat top surface).



I like this wheel a lot more, and I generally like everything on a 944 to be stock. The original wheel is too large, too smooth, and too thin. Plus, the extra size completely obstructed the view of the rennline phone mount. With the sport size wheel, I can see my GPS. Good Luck!

[Monkey Wrench]

here if we get collectors insurance we can forward date safety features, so we could install brighter tail lights or add headrests. so a downgrade to remove the airbag would be a no no in the eyes of our ICBC adjusters and that could prevent you from using collector status.

I dont know what the blood thirsty insurance lawyers might arrive at in your area if you got hurt driving a car and the OEM airbag was found to removed. - on a track it's a different scenario and they may want one that has a quick removal feature, a racer will know more.

personally I don't see it as any more dangerous than simply driving a car that is a year or two older.

[sansho16v]

TheSecondChris, thanks for posting about the non-airbag dashboard trim piece. I just installed the 968 CS wheel, and the accordion rubber piece broke, which is NLA from Porsche. Instead of gluing it, I ordered the non-airbag trim piece (none in the US so 4-6 week wait from Germany), which I expect will look better.