Steering Wheel Replacement/Fix

[jrclark32]

Hello!

The steering wheel on my 88 has gotten all rubbery, and is slowly falling apart. I’ve tried some aftermarket covers, but they tend to slip when I turn, which I obviously don’t want.

Im assuming finding an original tan wheel in good shape is a long shot, so has anyone found a solution that works well for this?

-John

[WmWatt]

Have you serched the Internet? Auto parts suppliers may have steering wheels. In the meantime you could always try wrapping the wheel with tape, or if you want to get fancy and spend a few dollars, bicycle handlebar tape.

[1990new]

Better yet... have you searched this forum for free Festiva parts.
I have a sandlewood one but it's on my yellow 90 so you can't have that one. But I do have a nice gray one that you can have if you pay the shipping.

[jrclark32]

I’ve been looking online, but haven’t found much. I’m may just have to do a wrap.

That’s great of you to offer! The interior is in pretty good shape, so I’d like to find something tan or brown that matches if I can. Where did you get your sandalwood one? That sounds pretty sweet.

[1990new]

I’ve been looking online, but haven’t found much. I’m may just have to do a wrap.

That’s great of you to offer! The interior is in pretty good shape, so I’d like to find something tan or brown that matches if I can. Where did you get your sandalwood one? That sounds pretty sweet.

Sandalwood is the name of that tan interior color. (It came on my 1990 L-Plus the yellow one that is my avatar picture)
Ford Festiva Vin Number Decode.jpg Festiva Interior Color Codes.jpg

[jrclark32]

Sandalwood is the name of that tan interior color. (It came on my 1990 L-Plus the yellow one that is my avatar picture)
Ford Festiva Vin Number Decode.jpg Festiva Interior Color Codes.jpg

Oh okay. Good to know!

[1990new]

I do have a couple of free saldalwood interior parts show in this thread: https://fordfestiva.com/forums/forum...or-pay-to-ship
The rear compartment cover is in beautiful condition but the seat belt cover (which is not in an 88)8) is not complete.

[theastronaut]

I'm about 90% sure 88/89 tan is different than 90+ Sandlewood. The dish of the wheel changed between 88/89 and 90+ models as well.

You can mount an aftermarket wheel using an adapter for a NA Miata.

[w4rkry]

The Tans are indeed different.
Also worth noting that the LX wheels are a different material, they are soft foam while other trims are hard plastic.

[1990new]

The Tans are indeed different.
Also worth noting that the LX wheels are a different material, they are soft foam while other trims are hard plastic.

I'm about 90% sure 88/89 tan is different than 90+ Sandlewood. The dish of the wheel changed between 88/89 and 90+ models as well.

You can mount an aftermarket wheel using an adapter for a NA Miata.

Thanks for getting me straight. In the future I will refer to this link in the forum which seems to have all the correct information about Festiva Color Schemes.

Am I reading the chart correctly? Did Sandalwood show up in 1990 and then was dropped in 1991 but came back in 1992-1993?


https://www.fordfestiva.com/aboutfor...lortrimsel.htm

[w4rkry]

Am I reading the chart correctly? Did Sandalwood show up in 1990 and then was dropped in 1991 but came back in 1992-1993?

That's a Typo actually, 90+ is all Sandalwood

[1990new]

That's a Typo actually, 90+ is all Sandalwood

I see other incorrect information in that chart too. It says the Pop Yellow and Surf Blue colors were only available in the L models but I currently own a 1990 L-Plus Pop Yellow and a 1990 L-Plus Surf Blue was my first Festiva.
Do you know of there is a correct color charts anywhere on the internet?

[w4rkry]

I see other incorrect information in that chart too. It says the Pop Yellow and Surf Blue colors were only available in the L models but I currently own a 1990 L-Plus Pop Yellow and a 1990 L-Plus Surf Blue was my first Festiva.
Do you know of there is a correct color charts anywhere on the internet?

The color charts are correct, you just have to ignore the trim limitations. Those limitations actually were in a bunch of original documentation from Ford, but they changed it at some point and didn't update everything.

[jrclark32]

I'm about 90% sure 88/89 tan is different than 90+ Sandlewood. The dish of the wheel changed between 88/89 and 90+ models as well.

You can mount an aftermarket wheel using an adapter for a NA Miata.

Have you found an aftermarket wheel that works well? I’ve never used one on a Festiva, but I’ve tried on other vehicles, and it isn’t always great.

[theastronaut]

Have you found an aftermarket wheel that works well? I’ve never used one on a Festiva, but I’ve tried on other vehicles, and it isn’t always great.

I have a Nardi but other brands work as well. Just make sure the adapter hub matches the steering wheel bolt pattern.