replacing au steering wheel

[HARMFUL 81]

just wondering if anyone has experienced pitting on the top of au steering wheel. Im looking at replacing it with an upper model leather one, but am unsure about the process. Is it a leave it to the experts - especially considering the airbag? if not, could someone explain the process to me?

[MRJUCY]

I let a Ford dealer do mine as it was only $50 & I figured my safety & piece of mind was worth more then that but I have been told that if you disconnect the battery their is no chance of it going off by accident & it's only one plug to take out & reconnect more then a conventional wheel.

[mattp]

I had one replaced by ford a couple of months ago, cost me 40 bucks, then today Glenn did another changeover for me (thanks Glenn!), if you've got the tools it's not too bad, just need some strength to pull the bloody thing off, the damn things don't want to budge! Just disconnect the battery and you're safe.

[Mechan1k]

Some steering wheels come off easy ... mine was a PITA to remove.
2 guys and a steering wheel puller ... one hour later ... it came off ... LOL
I got my mechanic to help me remove it ... and a mate as well.

[XR6Stu]

HAs anyone posted a 'how to' on steering wheel removal?

[GK]

Originally Posted by XR6Stu

HAs anyone posted a 'how to' on steering wheel removal?

I'll do it if I ever replace mine, but at the cost of momo items, I won't get around to it for a while! LOL!

GK

[JC]

Originally Posted by XR6Stu

HAs anyone posted a 'how to' on steering wheel removal?

I have a while ago in a thread somehwere. Maybe do a search on "torx plus"; it might find the right thread. I'll see what I can find.

[JC]

Found it - try this:

1. Disconnect battery.
2. remove plastic plugs on side of steering wheel backing cover.
3. Use a no 30 5 sided torx bit (most torx bits are 6 sided) to remove the security screws
4. Lift airbag from wheel - disconnect all wires.
5. Undo big torx bolt (6 sided this time - size 50, i think)
6. Use hands to bash steering wheel from behind and side to side and pull really, really hard.
7. Steering wheel should now be in your lap, or it may have hit you in the chest/face, but either way it will be off.

Note - for step 3, you can use a normal screwdriver with a notch removed from the centre of the blade, but you may go through a few screw drivers this way.

Note 2 - when relacing the 5 sided torx screws/bolts, use a 25mm long, hex (allen key) bolt instead - not as secure, but easier to do up and undo as required - as long as you have an allen key, of course.

[blownba]

I wouldnt replace those bolts with anything but the genuine ones if I was you and I would make sure the same bolts are torqued to correct specs (I think its 25nm or somethin) Air bag mounting is fairly critical best not to mess with it. (thats what I was taught at ford anyway)

[Hords]

Don't rip into to quickly after disconnecting the battery. The Airbags need to de-energize. Give it 5 mins. Also, I would recommend using a gear puller for the wheel removal.

[ReVd_uP]

also, if your worried about eating steering wheel as your pulling it off, leave the large torx bolt in a few threads while your yanking at it, might save you a fat lip or blood nose