Steering Wheel Removal
Guide Overview:
This guide will hopefully explain the basic principles to remove the steering wheel, if you find any in-accuracies then please let me know.
(Please read the entire guide before attempting to remove the steering wheel!)
Difficulty: 3/5
Time: 2-3 hours
Required Tools:
1. Disconnect the battery using the 10mm socket.
(Disconnect the negative terminal to avoid shock)
You should wait between 30-60 mins after disconnecting the battery before proceeding with the rest of the guide to allow the airbag module time to discharge. This should ensure that the airbag will not deploy whilst removing it.
2. Remove the surround (unscrew 5 screws then pull off the top, you will need to manoeuvre the bottom half over the ignition barrel)
3. Unscrew the 5.5mm nuts on the back of the steering wheel. These don't drop out but you will know when they are loose enough.
4. Remove the airbag by pulling it toward you (it is clipped in so it requires a little force) then disconnect the cable from the airbag.
5. Store the airbag face up on a flat surface in a cool location.
6. Disconnect the airbag cable from the inside of the steering column.
(Note this is hooked onto the thread of a bolt make not of this for the reverse procedure)
7. There is one Phillips head screw slightly left of the ignition barrel, undo this and free the airbag cable.
(I am aware the wheel is already off here but this picture was an after thought, the screw would be where the hole is)
8. Using the 15mm socket undo the nut holding the steering wheel on. Once loose screw it in just a little bit for the next step.
9. Pull the steering wheel off. This requires some force hence why we leave the nut attached to stop us from hitting ourselves in the face with the steering wheel!
10. Once off remove the 15mm nut and take off the steering wheel.
11. To replace the steering wheel please reverse the procedure.
Conclusions:
This is how I take my wheel off when required and can confirm it does work. I changed my steering wheel this way and also once changed I found that the clock spring on my new wheel was faulty (flashing airbag light) so I went through this procedure again and replaced the clock spring with the one from my old steering wheel. I also greased the back of the clock spring upon replacement to aid smooth rotation and prevent the grinding or gritty noise that sometimes occurs.
I am happy with the result as I went from this:
To this:
Disclaimer:
This guide is intended for reference only and I cannot be held liable for any damages incurred. If you do not feel comfortable touching wires around by the airbag then leave it to a professional!
Support:
If you require any further information on steering wheel removal or clock spring replacement please contact me via PM or email and I will be happy to try and assist!
Guide Overview:
This guide will hopefully explain the basic principles to remove the steering wheel, if you find any in-accuracies then please let me know.
(Please read the entire guide before attempting to remove the steering wheel!)
Difficulty: 3/5
Time: 2-3 hours
Required Tools:
- 10mm socket (For the battery nut)
- 5.5mm socket (Airbag removal)
- 15mm socket (Steering wheel removal)
- Phillips screwdriver
1. Disconnect the battery using the 10mm socket.
(Disconnect the negative terminal to avoid shock)
You should wait between 30-60 mins after disconnecting the battery before proceeding with the rest of the guide to allow the airbag module time to discharge. This should ensure that the airbag will not deploy whilst removing it.
2. Remove the surround (unscrew 5 screws then pull off the top, you will need to manoeuvre the bottom half over the ignition barrel)
3. Unscrew the 5.5mm nuts on the back of the steering wheel. These don't drop out but you will know when they are loose enough.
4. Remove the airbag by pulling it toward you (it is clipped in so it requires a little force) then disconnect the cable from the airbag.
5. Store the airbag face up on a flat surface in a cool location.
6. Disconnect the airbag cable from the inside of the steering column.
(Note this is hooked onto the thread of a bolt make not of this for the reverse procedure)
7. There is one Phillips head screw slightly left of the ignition barrel, undo this and free the airbag cable.
(I am aware the wheel is already off here but this picture was an after thought, the screw would be where the hole is)
8. Using the 15mm socket undo the nut holding the steering wheel on. Once loose screw it in just a little bit for the next step.
9. Pull the steering wheel off. This requires some force hence why we leave the nut attached to stop us from hitting ourselves in the face with the steering wheel!
10. Once off remove the 15mm nut and take off the steering wheel.
11. To replace the steering wheel please reverse the procedure.
Conclusions:
This is how I take my wheel off when required and can confirm it does work. I changed my steering wheel this way and also once changed I found that the clock spring on my new wheel was faulty (flashing airbag light) so I went through this procedure again and replaced the clock spring with the one from my old steering wheel. I also greased the back of the clock spring upon replacement to aid smooth rotation and prevent the grinding or gritty noise that sometimes occurs.
I am happy with the result as I went from this:
To this:
Disclaimer:
This guide is intended for reference only and I cannot be held liable for any damages incurred. If you do not feel comfortable touching wires around by the airbag then leave it to a professional!
Support:
If you require any further information on steering wheel removal or clock spring replacement please contact me via PM or email and I will be happy to try and assist!