Miata Mailing List: October 1994, Message #91
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   From: a.mccombs3@genie.geis.com
Subject: RE: steering col. cover
   Date: Thu, 6 Oct 1994 00:26:56 -0400

I asked this one at the local Mazda club meeting last night, and the experts
didn't know - I've been wondering about this for a while, off and on (mostly
off):
 
Why does Mazda use such a heavy metal cover under the steering column, under
the headlight/wiper/turn signal switches?  I can't imagine that it's a
shield for the air bag, in the event the bag blows.  The thing is only held
in with a couple screws and some clips at one edge, and (at least mine) is
none too solidly secured.  If it's for electronic shielding, why did they
have to use such a heavy gauge metal, that weighs over a pound?  Considering
how weight conscious Mazda was/is when they designed and built the car, it
seems pretty strange that they'd install a one pound plus piece of metal,
when on the top side of the column, they used a 2 - 3 ounce piece of plastic.
 
BTW, the car is a '90A w/AC, if it makes any difference.
 
                                                --Jack M. & Kansei--