anybody change their steering wheel?

[bishop]

As much as i like the interior of the svx the big grey marshmallow in front of me just doesnt seem to match the rest of it. Has anybody changed their steering wheel to anything else?

[Sean486]

Lot of people put in the Momo wheel from the WRX. It is a huge upgrade in the looks department, however you lose the airbag.

[scoobymal]

I fitted an STI version 8 wheel to mine, I lost the airbag but kept the cruise contro:)l .....

[SURTEESS]

How do you lose the airbag & still able to get compliance at testing stations ?

[1986nate]

How do you lose the airbag & still able to get compliance at testing stations ?

I don't believe the airbag system is checked in any state in the US. Very few states have actual inspections as it is and I don't believe any test/chek the airbag system. As long as the airbags are in place (even if different steering wheel) that is all that matters.

[steveherman]

Icing did a momo swap and kept the airbag and the cruise.

[Sean486]

Icing did a momo swap and kept the airbag and the cruise.

Are you quite sure about that, my understanding was that they used different voltages.

[icingdeath88]

I used the SVX airbag charge from the stock steering wheel. (NOT responsible if something blows up in anyone's face). The wheel is a 90s Legacy GT wheel (pics in album linked in sig somewhere), and I think I had to trim the inside just a little bit to make the airbag charge fit, since it's a little bit bigger than the one that was in there. Also made sure the body of the airbag charge wasn't grounded to anything, since neither were when I got them. Making the horn work was pretty easy, and obvious once both wheels are opened up in front of you. As for the cruise, the place to mount the switch was already there, just had to cut a hole for the switch to poke out through in the back panel of the steering wheel. I did have to cut a wider hole on the back of the steering wheel where it mounts to the column to fit the wires through it, and because there was a round part that rubbed against the SVX column trim.

I picked a 90s legacy wheel since I figured the airbags themselves would be as similar as you could hope for. The airbag charge and the bag itself are from different cars, so there's no way to know for sure whether they will work perfectly together without blowing one up to try it out. I hope never to find out. The newer WRX wheels are smaller in the middle section, so I don't know if I would make the same assumption with those that they'd be close enough to work.

There are some MOMO outback wheels that are black with woodgrain on the top and bottom of the wheel itself, that look like it would match the inside of a later, lighter woodgrain SVX pretty well.

AGAIN, I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU BLOW ANYTHING UP.

[steveherman]

Are you quite sure about that, my understanding was that they used different voltages.

Yes. I am quite sure.

[svxcess]

There are some MOMO outback wheels that are black with woodgrain on the top and bottom of the wheel itself, that look like it would match the inside of a later, lighter woodgrain SVX pretty well.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/outback-vdc-2002m.jpg

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[svxcess]

There are some MOMO outback wheels that are black with woodgrain on the top and bottom of the wheel itself, that look like it would match the inside of a later, lighter woodgrain SVX pretty well.


Both our 2002 3.0 H6 VDC Outback sedan and wagon had the wood and perforated leather wheel. Some of the L.L. Bean models got the same wheel, but with MOMO in the center.


http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/outback-vdc-2002m.jpg

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[bishop]

Both our 2002 3.0 H6 VDC Outback sedan and wagon had the wood and perforated leather wheel. Some of the L.L. Bean models got the same wheel, but with MOMO in the center.


http://www.cars101.com/subaru/outback/outback-vdc-2002m.jpg

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that is sexy, though with it so glossy i would have to pull out all my "wood" trim pieces and clear coat them to match.

[svxcess]

that is sexy, though with it so glossy i would have to pull out all my "wood" trim pieces and clear coat them to match.

Far much easier to get some #0000 steel wool and take down the gloss on the wheel to more of a satin finish to match the dash.

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[icingdeath88]

Both our 2002 3.0 H6 VDC Outback sedan and wagon had the wood and perforated leather wheel. Some of the L.L. Bean models got the same wheel, but with MOMO in the center.




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Ah, that explains why I couldn't find any examples on ebay. Thought they all had the "MOMO". I quite like my all black one. Maybe one day I'll get a woodgrain one for my 97. I worry how well the black will match the rest of the tan interior though. What do you think, having seen both in person?

[zaueugen]

So besides the woodgrain and the center name, the rest of the wheel's size and shape is exactly same ? Because I would like an all black wheel with subaru in the middle not momo

[svxcess]

I worry how well the black will match the rest of the tan interior though. What do you think, having seen both in person?

I have seen a black steering wheel in an Ebony SVX with tan interior. The trick is to paint the steering column satin black so that the wheel doesn't look out of place.

The SVX I saw also had all the woodgrain panels painted satin black. Gave the car a European look.

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[zaueugen]

ive seen original black stearing wheels in the european spec svxs.. did you see it in a us version?

[icingdeath88]

I have seen a black steering wheel in an Ebony SVX with tan interior. The trick is to paint the steering column satin black so that the wheel doesn't look out of place.

The SVX I saw also had all the woodgrain panels painted satin black. Gave the car a European look.

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Hmm. Once I start to get some of these other projects wrapped up, I'm going to have to re-visit this. The steering wheel in that car is worn enough to warrant it.

[zaueugen]

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/attachments/f65/3994d1166457753-momo-steering-wheels-perrin-mc-brace-comparo-wheel-2.jpg

[dbarnblatt]

I have seen a black steering wheel in an Ebony SVX with tan interior. The trick is to paint the steering column satin black so that the wheel doesn't look out of place.

The SVX I saw also had all the woodgrain panels painted satin black. Gave the car a European look.

.

Here is an interior shot of a red SVX in Nevada with a similar treatment. I think it really works. Although I would also make the rest of the steering column covers black as well. A charcoal gray would work also:

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=17038&stc=1&d=1360637803

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=17039&stc=1&d=1360637913

[Coan]

That is gorgeous! I would never have guessed that satin black would look that good with tan interior. In fact, I think I like it so much I may try that myself.;)