changing steering wheel
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Middlesbrough
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
changing steering wheel
Hi all I want to change the steering wheel on my classic is it just a case of disconnecting the battery before I start so airbag does not go off
#5
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Melrose, Scottish Borders.
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just done this and repeated it many times!!
Step 1. Park car on flat land. Come to a stop with you hand off the wheel. This will ensure that the wheels are pointing straight.
Step 2. Disconnect battery and wait 30 minutes
Step 3. Loosen screws behind wheel and free air bag from wheel. Disconnect airbag clip (use needle nose pliers to lift yellow clip and then the clip will free off). Then disconnect horn clip.
Step 4. Loosen bolt holding wheel onto steering rack. DO NOT remove completely. It is very tight. I used a breaker bar. Once the bolt is freed of but still on a few treads work the wheel back and forwards from either side with force. It will eventually free itself. Remove wheel
Step 5. Swap wheel. Lining up clock spring. Attach horn and airbag clips. Now for the controversial bit. It is very likely that you wont put the wheel back on perfectly straight. You will need to drive it to find out. I did this several times before I got it right. Most guides will say never work on the airbag with the battery attached however the more I worked with it the less concerned I got. Eventually I attached everything including the battery. Tightened up the steering wheel bolt and screws holding the airbag. I then went for a short drive and established how off the wheel was. I then freeded the bolts holding the airbag , loosened the wheel and made the minor adjustment. Tightened up the airbag and went for a drive again. Repeat until wheel is perfectly straight and tighten everything up.
To be perfectly safe you should disconnect the battery for 30 mins before making any changes but I did it the way I have described. It worked for me.
Step 1. Park car on flat land. Come to a stop with you hand off the wheel. This will ensure that the wheels are pointing straight.
Step 2. Disconnect battery and wait 30 minutes
Step 3. Loosen screws behind wheel and free air bag from wheel. Disconnect airbag clip (use needle nose pliers to lift yellow clip and then the clip will free off). Then disconnect horn clip.
Step 4. Loosen bolt holding wheel onto steering rack. DO NOT remove completely. It is very tight. I used a breaker bar. Once the bolt is freed of but still on a few treads work the wheel back and forwards from either side with force. It will eventually free itself. Remove wheel
Step 5. Swap wheel. Lining up clock spring. Attach horn and airbag clips. Now for the controversial bit. It is very likely that you wont put the wheel back on perfectly straight. You will need to drive it to find out. I did this several times before I got it right. Most guides will say never work on the airbag with the battery attached however the more I worked with it the less concerned I got. Eventually I attached everything including the battery. Tightened up the steering wheel bolt and screws holding the airbag. I then went for a short drive and established how off the wheel was. I then freeded the bolts holding the airbag , loosened the wheel and made the minor adjustment. Tightened up the airbag and went for a drive again. Repeat until wheel is perfectly straight and tighten everything up.
To be perfectly safe you should disconnect the battery for 30 mins before making any changes but I did it the way I have described. It worked for me.
#9
Unmapped 12.4s @ 105
iTrader: (29)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Newcastle. 330bhp-289lb/ft @ 1bar boost - 12.4s @ 105mph
Posts: 11,776
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
I fitted a 99 Type R steering wheel to my 94 car a while back, so the swap you're doing shouldn't be too bad.
As above, leave the nut on the steering column, Chris was being generous saying you may end up it a sore nose. You'll quite possibly break it.
As above, leave the nut on the steering column, Chris was being generous saying you may end up it a sore nose. You'll quite possibly break it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Scott@ScoobySpares
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
61
11 January 2021 03:08 PM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
33
29 August 2017 07:18 PM
Scott@ScoobySpares
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
7
14 December 2015 08:16 AM
Mattybr5@MB Developments
Full Cars Breaking For Spares
20
22 October 2015 06:12 AM