An aftermarket steering wheel is a non-factory replacement wheel that changes grip, diameter, and styling, needs a vehicle-specific boss kit, and affects the factory airbag system.
What Is an Aftermarket Steering Wheel?
An aftermarket steering wheel is a replacement steering wheel made by a company other than the vehicle manufacturer. It is also called a custom steering wheel or non-OEM wheel, where OEM means original equipment manufacturer. Well-known brands include Momo, Sparco, Nardi, Personal, and OMP. Wheels sold as universal use a common bolt pattern, which does not mean the wheel bolts directly onto every car.
What Are the 4 Main Materials for an Aftermarket Steering Wheel?
The 4 main materials are leather, suede, wood, and polyurethane, according to Exoracing, a UK performance parts retailer. Some makers also offer Alcantara as a rim finish on leather rims. The table compares the 4 rim materials by grip, best use, and main trade-off.
| Material | Grip | Best Use | Main Trade-Off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leather | Good with bare hands | Road and fast road cars | Smooth leather feels slippery with wet or greasy hands |
| Suede | High, especially with gloves | Track, drift, and motorsport-style use | Absorbs oil and dirt, so needs regular cleaning |
| Wood | Lower than leather or suede | Classic and retro interiors | Not the first choice for track or heavy wet use |
| Polyurethane | Lower than suede | Budget refreshes and daily use | Feels less premium than leather or suede |
What Diameter and Dish Do Aftermarket Steering Wheels Have?
Aftermarket steering wheels are commonly sold in 330 mm, 350 mm, and 380 mm diameters. Retail listings show wheels at all 3 sizes, including 350 mm (13.78 in) models. Many sport wheels have a 3-inch (76.2 mm) deep dish. Exoracing states that many road and performance wheels measure 330 mm to 350 mm, with smaller wheels feeling sharper and larger wheels feeling calmer. B-G Racing notes that a reduced diameter increases driver steering effort.
What Does a Deep Dish Steering Wheel Do?
A deep dish steering wheel moves the rim closer to the driver, which changes the driving position. The effect depends on seat position and arm reach.
For related reading, see Car Steering Wheel: 5 Parts, 3 Power Steering Types, and Airbag Safety Data. The same maintenance context also connects with Car Steering Wheel.
What Parts Are Needed to Fit an Aftermarket Steering Wheel?
Fitting an aftermarket steering wheel needs a vehicle-specific boss kit, and often a quick release hub, horn wiring, and fitting hardware. A boss connects the steering column to the wheel and is designed for each car model. The main fitting parts are:
- Boss kit: connects the steering column to the wheel and matches one car model.
- Quick release hub: lets the driver detach the wheel.
- Horn wiring: restores horn operation.
- Fitting hardware: secures the wheel with matched bolts.
Some boss kits include the steering boss, horn wire, and fitting kit.
What Bolt Patterns Do Aftermarket Steering Wheels Use?
Most aftermarket steering wheels use a 6-bolt pattern in 2 sizes: 6 x 70 mm and 6 x 74 mm. B-G Racing lists the brands for each pattern. The table shows both patterns with example brands.
| Bolt Pattern | Example Brands |
|---|---|
| 6 x 70 mm | Momo, Sparco, OMP, Simoni |
| 6 x 74 mm | Nardi, Personal, Raid |
What Is a Quick Release Steering Wheel Hub?
A quick release steering wheel hub is an assembly that lets the driver detach and reattach the steering wheel on the column. B-G Racing states that its system fits between the wheel and the hub, moves the wheel about 50 mm closer to the driver, and eases entry and exit in race cars. Removing the wheel when parked also works as an anti-theft measure.
Speedway Motors states that an airbag cannot run with a quick release, which affects safety and legality on late-model cars. B-G Racing warns that incorrect installation leads to wheel failure, which causes accidents resulting in serious injury or death.
Does an Aftermarket Steering Wheel Remove the Airbag?
Yes. Fitting a non-airbag aftermarket steering wheel in place of a factory airbag wheel disables the driver airbag. B-G Racing labels its wheels for racing and show use only on cars equipped with airbags.
According to the IIHS, citing NHTSA estimates, an airbag plus a lap and shoulder belt reduces the risk of death in frontal crashes by 61%, compared with 50% for belts alone and 34% for airbags alone. NHTSA also cautions that improper airbag removal causes the airbag to deploy and injure the person.
Is an Aftermarket Steering Wheel Legal?
In the United States, federal law bars manufacturers, distributors, dealers, and repair businesses from removing or disabling airbags, and this rule does not apply to modifications made by vehicle owners. This position comes from a 1993 NHTSA Chief Counsel interpretation letter. Legal checks include:
For a reliable reference point, see NHTSA vehicle safety information.
- Federal law: bars airbag removal by businesses and exempts owner modifications.
- State law: sets equipment requirements for used vehicles at registration or sale.
- NHTSA policy: discourages owners from removing or modifying safety systems.
States have authority to require specific equipment on used vehicles. Laws differ by country. In the United Kingdom, airbag removal affects MOT considerations, according to Exoracing.
Can a Repair Shop Install an Aftermarket Steering Wheel?
Federal law prevents a repair shop from removing an operating airbag. A shop is permitted to fit a non-airbag wheel after the airbag has deployed, although state law sets separate requirements for replacing deployed airbags.
How Do You Choose an Aftermarket Steering Wheel?
Choose an aftermarket steering wheel by checking airbag status, material, diameter, bolt pattern, and horn and steering control compatibility. The steps are:
- Confirm the airbag and legal status of the vehicle.
- Select a material that matches use: leather for road cars, suede for track use.
- Match the diameter and dish to seat position and steering effort.
- Match the bolt pattern to the boss kit or quick release hub.
- Check horn, indicator-cancelling, and steering control compatibility.
- Book a trained installer, since incorrect installation causes wheel failure.
Exoracing lists the boss kit, airbag, horn, and indicator-cancelling checks as required before purchase. B-G Racing advises against self-installation without proper training.
People Also Ask
Are aftermarket steering wheels legal?
In the United States, federal law does not prevent a private individual from removing a vehicle airbag, and states have authority to require working equipment on used vehicles.
Do aftermarket steering wheels have airbags?
Racing-style aftermarket wheels and quick release setups do not run a factory airbag.
What size are aftermarket steering wheels?
Common diameters are 330 mm, 350 mm, and 380 mm.
Which material is best for an aftermarket steering wheel?
Leather suits most road cars, and suede suits track and drift use.
Do aftermarket steering wheels fit every car?
No, each car needs a matching boss kit.
What Are the Key Facts About an Aftermarket Steering Wheel?
An aftermarket steering wheel changes grip, size, and driving position, and a non-airbag wheel removes the factory driver airbag. Key facts include:
- Materials: 4 main options, namely leather, suede, wood, and polyurethane.
- Diameters: 330 mm, 350 mm, and 380 mm.
- Bolt patterns: 6 x 70 mm and 6 x 74 mm.
- Fitment: a vehicle-specific boss kit connects the wheel to the column.
- Airbag protection: 61% lower frontal crash death risk with an airbag plus belt, compared with 50% for belts alone.
- Law: federal rules exempt owner modifications, and states set their own equipment requirements.
Jimmy O’Riley is a UK-based mobile mechanic and automotive diagnostic specialist operating out of Bedfordshire, England. He founded O’Rileys Autos in 2011 with a focus on bringing professional vehicle repairs directly to customers at their homes and workplaces.
With over a decade of hands-on experience, Jimmy specializes in ABS diagnostics, brake system repairs, diesel emissions faults, and DPF cleaning. He is recognized across the UK and Ireland as one of the leading specialists in vehicle braking and emissions systems, earning the title “The DPF King” from his growing online audience.
Jimmy documents real-world automotive repairs through his YouTube channel, which has accumulated over 97,000 subscribers and nearly 2,000 published repair videos. His content covers ABS fault diagnosis, wheel speed sensor testing, brake module replacement, and roadside repair procedures across a wide range of vehicle makes and models.
He is active on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook under O’Rileys Autos.