My firebird has a steering wheel with a mangled horn and the airbag is cracking open on it...

I want to replace it, but prefer the look of the non-airbag steering wheels. Am I going to run into any compatibility problems with earlier wheels? Is there a way to keep the air bag dashboard light from coming on when I do this? or am I better off looking for a direct replacment?

 

try this www.billetspecialties.com , they have aftermarket wheels but you may find one you like, i have same problem with my 91 z28. you can call them to ask how the aftermarket wheels would fit but the rumor is that you have to shave a 1/4 inch of plastic off to make a aftermarket fit but maybee they can provide a spacer/adapter for you. i looked at aftermarket options after finding out what stock replacments cost and wondering if i bought another stock one if it would do the same thing years later.

 

if the dash light gives you trouble pull the bulb out.

 

I put a Grant on mine no problems. Just rig the switch.

 

Nice suggestion, but pretty far out of my price range on this car. At the moment it'd be a bit like putting lipstick on a pig, lol.

 

It's not a rumor, it is true you do have to shave off the plastic on the steering wheel on most 90-92s. I have a grant wheel and adapter kit and I can't fit the plate on because the shaft sits too far in. it would be nice if a spacer could be used instead of shaving the column

 

Would this shaving of plastic be necessary on a factory steering wheel from prior to '90 (non airbag), or does it only apply to aftermarket wheels?

 

I put a Grant steering wheel on my 1989 with the grant kit and didn't have to shave any plastic. There could have been a change in the Column in later models however a spacer would be easy to fabricate, or use washers between the wheel and it's spacer. In anycase it should be a simple install. It was for me.

 

I just installed my Grant 3189 install kit with their 415 steering wheel. Although it seems my center mark on my wheel is off or grant got the kit mixed up everything went on fine, no shaving needed, no modding at all. I also have an 89, but a camaro.

 

On my old 91 z28 i removed the old torn up steering wheel w/air bag and replaced it with a factory non airbag steering wheel off an 88-89 camaro. i had to remove the bulb for the srs but thats about all i had to do. but i believe if you have yearly auto inspection this might be a problem. its been a few years since i did this but i found all the info right here on TGO so do a search and im sure youll find what your looking for. o yeah be careful doing it cause ive heard those airbags on rare occasions might just go off while being removed.

 

Thanks for the reminder. You guys would love the youtube video of me, a screwdriver and a deploying airbag!