Howdy pretty people! 😀

My Mk8 came with the plastic/rubber steering wheel, I didn't care at first, but now since I've started adding stuff and fiddling with Forscan, I'd really like to replace it with a leather one. I've found one at a reasonable price at just two cities away from me, but I've realized the encasing for the airbag seems to be different in both SWs.

 

First photo is the cheap rubber one, second photo the leather one. 

Has anyone done this before? Will my non leather SW airbag module fit in the fancy leather one? And will do it in a safe way? 😅

Thanks!

Mine's got a leather steering wheel, I'm not convinced that it has been anywhere near a cow. Feels more like vinyl with a slightly spongy backing so probably not much of an improvement on standard.

4 minutes ago, deandeandean said:

Mine's got a leather steering wheel, I'm not convinced that it has been anywhere near a cow. Feels more like vinyl with a slightly spongy backing so probably not much of an improvement on standard.

Correct.  It's Sensico.  Vegan friendly leather substitute. 

I've read reviews where people say they can't tell the difference, which genuinely surprises me as I found it so obvious compared to the real leather wheel in my other car!

30 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I've read reviews where people say they can't tell the difference,

According to the blurb in the brochure, the ST still has a leather wheel, while the seats are partial "Sensico". I can't tell the difference either - they both seem cr*p!

And about the airbag compatibility..? 🙁

Nobody knows...

What's visibly different about the airbag hole?  It looks the same shape, and with the same airbag locating hooks to me?  Only difference is 2 small holes in the casting but I can't see what they'd be used for, probably just left over from the casting process.

41 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Nobody knows...

What's visibly different about the airbag hole?  It looks the same shape, and with the same airbag locating hooks to me?  Only difference is 2 small holes in the casting but I can't see what they'd be used for, probably just left over from the casting process.

Yes, actually that's the only difference, but I don't think there just holes, they seem to protrude like to support the airbag module or something.  With my car still under warranty, this is not something I'd be comfortable asking about at my Ford dealership, they'll obviously know why I'm suddenly so curious about airbags and steering wheels... 😅

And my "since forever" independent tech is still on vacations, sooooo... AFAIK my head unit doesn't have DAB, and that doesn't have safety implications...hmmmm.... 🤔🤪

I'm pretty sure they don't support the airbag.  The last thing you want touching an airbag is a piece of earthed metal. 

The horn earths through the metal casting when pressed so the airbag just 'floats' on it's two hooks with well insulated springs.  

Sadly we can't access parts catalogues for the Mk8 to check whether the airbags are different or not.  

29 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I'm pretty sure they don't support the airbag.  The last thing you want touching an airbag is a piece of earthed metal. 

The horn earths through the metal casting when pressed so the airbag just 'floats' on it's two hooks with well insulated springs. 

Didn't know that was how the horn was earthed. 😶

Also, yep, I got the ETIS VM, but nope, no parts catalog... 😮‍💨

I'm guessing that they are the same given that a Fiesta is hardly a "no expense spared" sort of car.

By the way, if you're messing about with steering wheels you should be wary of the clockspring, apparently easily damaged if you put a wheel on in the wrong orientation and turn it. Once it's broken it can't be fixed.

1 hour ago, deandeandean said:

I'm guessing that they are the same given that a Fiesta is hardly a "no expense spared" sort of car.

By the way, if you're messing about with steering wheels you should be wary of the clockspring, apparently easily damaged if you put a wheel on in the wrong orientation and turn it. Once it's broken it can't be fixed.

Finally it looks like I won't be messing around with steering wheels for the time being. The seller just told me that according to his techs, they aren't compatible (the steering wheels, not the techs). Now I really think they must be, after all you guys have told me and multiple searches over the interwebz. Anyway...eh, probably it's been for the better, I must admit it would have been just a compulsive purchase.

 

...wha...what's that you're saying?... I should use that money in getting a dashcam?.... hmmmmk.... 🤔🤪 

10 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Correct.  It's Sensico.  Vegan friendly leather substitute. 

As recommended by 9 out of 10 cows 🤣

18 hours ago, Kolmo74 said:

And about the airbag compatibility..? 🙁

Direct fit.

Disconnect the battery before removal and refit.

Make sure steering is straight and find a common marker on each wheel to align correctly for refit

11 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

Direct fit.

Disconnect the battery before removal and refit.

Make sure steering is straight and find a common marker on each wheel to align correctly for refit

Thanks mate!

Alas, that particular steering wheel is already gone, although now I'm not afraid of searching and fitting another one. 😀

12 hours ago, Kolmo74 said:

Thanks mate!

Alas, that particular steering wheel is already gone, although now I'm not afraid of searching and fitting another one. 😀

Fiesta 8, Puma and Focus 4, all same wheel

Welp... I've done...hmmmm...a certain something. 🙄

Stay tuned! (Or not, it's not that interesting, honestly 🤪)

On 8/30/2023 at 8:48 AM, DaveT70 said:

Fiesta 8, Puma and Focus 4, all same wheel

Confirmed!

I haven't installed the new steering wheel just yet, since I don't have a torque wrench, but I couldn't help replacing the left buttons module and enabling cruise control. 😬