Steering wheel: Stock or Change | FerrariChat

Steering wheel: Stock or Change

Discussion in '348/355' started by Horsechat, Jan 17, 2017.

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  1. Horsechat

    Horsechat Karting

    Jan 3, 2015
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    #1 Horsechat, Jan 17, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  2. bjwhite

    bjwhite F1 Rookie
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    Depends on your original and what you're putting it on. If replacing a 348 wheel I'd say no way in hell.

    If replacing a 355 airbag wheel, I'd say yes until you replace with a european stock wheel.

    IMHO, the 348 has one of the world's best factory steering wheels ever.
     
  3. Horsechat

    Horsechat Karting

    Jan 3, 2015
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    A 355 wheel
     
  4. KM1959

    KM1959 Formula Junior

    Nov 12, 2014
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    Granted the F355 wheel wasn't a Ferrari design high point but every time I thought about replacing it I thought about the possibility of my face hitting the windshield header instead of an airbag.
     
  5. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
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    To be fair, a lot of air bag equipped cars had hideous steering wheels in the mid to late 90s.
     
  6. Yassa

    Yassa Formula 3
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  7. fdekeu

    fdekeu Formula Junior
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    348: best steering wheel ever
     
  8. DaisyCutter

    DaisyCutter Formula Junior

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    #8 DaisyCutter, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I changed my airbag wheel for a smaller diameter MOMO design. Though no longer factory, it does look better in my eyes at least and is nicer to steer. It also provides the opportunity to add a spacer to bring the wheel a little closer.
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  9. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    #9 Steve355F1, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Change it for a 360 wheel. Better in every way and still has the airbag.
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  10. vjlax18

    vjlax18 Formula Junior
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  11. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    #11 drbob101, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    They got it right with this. Will be installing it soon

    Yeah, yeah I know about the lack of airbag but honestly, do we even know if these 20 year old air bags still work?
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  12. DaisyCutter

    DaisyCutter Formula Junior

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    Lovely. One of the best all-time wheel designs.
     
  13. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Euro? 456?

    A quick search reveals; "Mercedes research concluded that the airbags it produced after January 1, 1992 would last the life of the vehicle.". Airbags produced prior to that require replacement at the 15 year mark.

    Similar for Ferrari?
     
  14. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    I thought it was an early euro 355 model. If someone can identify and confirm that would be great.
     
  15. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Looks like a Euro wheel to me...
     
  16. DaisyCutter

    DaisyCutter Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2014
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    It is a pre-airbag Euro model. Not easy to come by and very, very beautiful.

    I seem to recall seeing a 10 year replacement date on the airbags, could be mistaken though.
     
  17. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    What year would this be from?
     
  18. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    Bob - Early euros (perhaps 94) did not have airbags in the steering wheel or passenger side (glove box in place of airbag). I don't know how long that continued.
     
  19. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    #19 SoCal1, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  20. redwedge

    redwedge Formula Junior

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    #20 redwedge, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Indeed - here's a pic of my 95 car with non-airbag wheel and a glovebox:
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  21. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    Thanks Steve. So this wheel is a pretty rare bird. Just '95 Euro cars only.

    Steve would you do me a favor and look at the back of your wheel and see if there are any covers on the recesses where the screws are please.

    I went through getting 360 covers for those spots but I am not sure that the wheeel even came with them as there isn't any detents in the hole for the plugs to snap into.

    Thank you
     
  22. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
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  23. redwedge

    redwedge Formula Junior

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    Sorry Bob, the car is stored a couple of hundred miles away from me at the moment, thanks to the salted winter roads. I'll take a look next time I'm there (which will be mid-February).
     
  24. drbob101

    drbob101 F1 Rookie
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    #24 drbob101, Jan 18, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2017
    No problem. I'll post a pic of the back when I get home so you can see the recesses I'm talking about.
     
  25. ShineKen

    ShineKen F1 World Champ
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    Change.

    The euro non-airbag version Bob posted is the one to get. Just hard to get or very expensive. The last time I saw one, it was $1300.

    If going with a racing steering wheel, the OMP one posted in a nice option. I like it. Matches OMP seats. Or go with a Ferrari momo, which is what I have. The Challenge one Tim posted is nice too.

    There are other nice steering wheels out there, but you want to find a decent looking one consistent with the theme of your car. Just don't get those riced out ones that look like they were designed by Autozone.
     

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