Hi gents:

I was surfing e bay bored, and I found a 1989 XJS Steering wheel (no airbag included) for 30 bucks. Will this wheel fit my 95 ?

The Ebay wheel looks almost new on the pics, but I was thinking of having the leather removed and seeing if it could be veneered to imitate the 96 wood wheel.

The part numbers at JCP are different but they look the same. If anyone knows please advise.

Thanks

 

I think all the mechanical airbags are interchangeable but it is a good idea to have the disarming tool.

bob

 

I believe there are two different spline counts on the steering column shafts, the number cast into the wheel indicates the number. I think it's 76 and 86 from memory.

 

thanks. How would I know if the wheel does not have it stamped? From what I know all 95-96 US steering wheels are “76”, but this one I purchased does not have the number stamped on it from any of the photos....

 

Not to sound stupid, but if there's a picture of the hole, you can try to count the "teeth"

 

i tried that and I am counting 50, which is obviously wrong.....I guess I will have to wait until I get it.

 

I've not seen an airbag wheel that didn't have the spline count stamped. In theory, all US wheels are interchangeable, as are all UK wheels. But the 76 and 86 wheels are not only different as per the splines, the UK and US airbags use a slightly different bolt pattern.

Can you show us a pic of the inside face of the wheel with the absence of the spline number?

Cheers

Paul

 

Thanks Paul:

this is a photo-

 

aMArk,

Now that is interesting!

It does seem to have only about 52ish splines! And it is a US Airbag wheel (position of top right bolt hole). Perhaps Jaguar didn't use the 76 spline adapter when airbags were first mandated in the US? And maybe they only did it when we got airbags in the UK in order to further differentiate UK and US cars (as well as the airbag bolt holes)?

So, it seems like you might need a different adapter or alternatively the top part of a 1989 steering column. I also notice that the revised Jaguar parts website seems to have "lost" the 76 & 86 adapters from their parts diagrams!? I'll contact them and investigate.


Cheers

Paul

 

oh, that’s no good!

I though I counted 50- something splines. I was hoping this would be a drop in.......

 

Here is a photo from the famous auction site, you see what I mean about the "76" cast into the metal in the top right.

 

yes I saw. I thought they only came in the 76/86 configurations, but I am clearly wrong. Well, for 30 bucks at least I get new horn buttons. Mine are faded and ugly. I hope at least those work

 

Looking at the wheel and the size of the hole its possible the first us airbag wheels fitted direct to the column. I'll have a look at a spare adapter and measure hole size and internal spines.

Paul

 

Got the wheel today. Definitely not 76. It’s a shame because the leather is in excellent shape

 

Mark,

I found an adapter collet today. I'll measure the internal size and teeth number tomorrow. Fingers crossed, it might just mean that your wheel fits straight to the column!

Cheers

Paul

 

I have two or three spare wheels from my 94 coupes.
There is also a spline adapter in my spares bin.
Always use an airbag disarming tool.
Before I got the correct one I used a piece of tubing that I squeezed into a square.
They are no longer needed so available for a song + shipping.
I don't spend a lot of time on the computer so call or text.
650-455-1110
Steve

 

Steve,

I'll text you but in case you see this, I'm interested in your US spline adapter.

Cheers

Paul

 

Got your note.
I'll start looking for the part in the morning.
What do you think is a fair price?
Steve

 

Paul,
I was searching for some other parts and ran across the spline insert.
Let me know if you still want it or I may put it somewhere where I'll loose it.
Text me @ 650-455-1110 and I'll send a pic.