99spec Steering Wheel Woes
 

I just recieved what was sold to me as an OEM 99spec wheel. According to Ramy, the OEM wheel doesn't require drilling and is a direct swap, however the wheel I recieved has had holes drilled at the places where it mates with the clockspring, and the connectors for the airbag and horn don't match up with the stock ones on my clockspring. Also, there's no location for the cruise control buttons.

Anyone ever experienced this before? Is this a Miata wheel or something?

shit :(

sounds like a mixup

I bought it from a private seller. I found the "Nardi wheels for dummies" thread, though. It looks like I've got no choice but to splice wires and cut the opening for the cruise controls.

That is correct. There are no "99spec" steering wheels that have the same air bag connectors that ours do. I spliced the factory one on one time, but it is too large to fit under the airbag. Also, from what I have seen, only certain steering wheels have the holes in the 12 and 6 o'clock position. There are several JDM RX-7 steering wheels that have them at the 3 and 9 position. From what I have seen, the 3 and 9 o'clock position ones are newer steering wheels. I have never seen a JDM 99+ RX-7 steering wheel that has cruise control. You can do one of 3 things:

1. Relocate your cruise controls to under the steering wheel on the underside of the dash.(I don't reccommend as it can be a safety hazard)
2. Fabricate a bracket. This can turn out clean to an extent.
3. Buy a protege wheel. It is the same wheel with cruise controls on it basically. They only come with the "flying m", but all of the center sections are interchangable... so use the one you have now if you want.

Basically, the rx-7, miata, and protege wheels are all "direct swaps" if by that you mean you have to splice the horn and airbag connectors. The holes you drill do not have to be that precise by any means and doesn't take anymore than 5 minutes to do for a "dummy". It is just for the little prongs for the turn signal catch as you are turning the wheel.

This is the reason I did the "nardi wheels for dummies". There is no point in paying over $200 at the most for one of these wheels unless you just have to have that Spirit R steering wheel :)

It's a great writeup, Brent. I just wish I'd seen it before paying $300 for a somewhat beatup 99spec wheel.