Steering wheel removal question
09-21-13, 08:23 AM
#1
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Steering wheel removal question
I've searched like crazy but can't find an answer, I have a chance to pick up a gs430 steering wheel but I have to pull it off the car, my question is how? I've seen the posts about the torx bits for the airbag removal but my question is do i have to have a puller for the wheel or can I muscle it off? (I've never needed one on others I've pulled) and also how do I get the cover off to get access to the bag and bolts? I don't just want to go yanking on it without knowing.
09-21-13, 08:56 AM
#2
First you unhook the battery for 30 minutes then remove the hex bolts and the airbag should be able to pull off but do it gently because you will have to unhook the airbag. Once that's done you will have to take off a 19MM but in the center of the wheel and this is where the puller should come into play.. I'm not 100% sure if you NEED one or not. I don't remember Jeff using one on mine when we did my interior swap but that was over a year ago so who knows.
09-21-13, 11:48 AM
#5
I tried to yank it off without the puller, but that didn't work. The puller is much easier. Just go get the loaner tool from Autozone. It come with 3 pairs of bolts. 1 is a large thread, don't need that one. The other 2 pair are the same size thread (smaller), one is coarse thread while the other is fine. You need to use the coarse thread pair.
After unscrewing the torx bolts, the bag may not freely come out. The wheel has little white plastic tabs to stop the screws from falling out after you unscrew them. You'll see them. You might have to use a flathead or knife to pry the crews past the tabs so the bag will come out.
After unscrewing the torx bolts, the bag may not freely come out. The wheel has little white plastic tabs to stop the screws from falling out after you unscrew them. You'll see them. You might have to use a flathead or knife to pry the crews past the tabs so the bag will come out.
Last edited by tiger4life; 09-21-13 at 11:53 AM.
09-21-13, 11:55 AM
#6
First you unhook the battery for 30 minutes then remove the hex bolts and the airbag should be able to pull off but do it gently because you will have to unhook the airbag. Once that's done you will have to take off a 19MM but in the center of the wheel and this is where the puller should come into play.. I'm not 100% sure if you NEED one or not. I don't remember Jeff using one on mine when we did my interior swap but that was over a year ago so who knows.
09-21-13, 09:25 PM
#7
*Unhook battery if there's power still (few secs)
* T30 Torx head. Use a 1/4 or 3/8 ractchet with an extension. Pop off the plastic caps on the side of steering (smaller than a circle dime). The torx bolts don't come out, just retract in a platic housing
*Unclip air bag when you lift it off (wiggle it side to side)
*Ratchet 3/8 or 1/2 with deep 19mm socket or small extension with socket
* I usually leave the 19mm nut on a few threads so when I pull the wheel, I won't smash my nose.
I've never used a puller yet between all my cars (SD wheel, RX Wheel, TRD wheel etc) . Just a few hand taps @ the 9 & 3 o' clock position from BEHIND the wheel if needed. You could use a rubber mallet wrapped with a rag or something if you are thin toothpick armed for strength.
Retighten the 19mm nut , but don't over tq.
* T30 Torx head. Use a 1/4 or 3/8 ractchet with an extension. Pop off the plastic caps on the side of steering (smaller than a circle dime). The torx bolts don't come out, just retract in a platic housing
*Unclip air bag when you lift it off (wiggle it side to side)
*Ratchet 3/8 or 1/2 with deep 19mm socket or small extension with socket
* I usually leave the 19mm nut on a few threads so when I pull the wheel, I won't smash my nose.
I've never used a puller yet between all my cars (SD wheel, RX Wheel, TRD wheel etc) . Just a few hand taps @ the 9 & 3 o' clock position from BEHIND the wheel if needed. You could use a rubber mallet wrapped with a rag or something if you are thin toothpick armed for strength.
Retighten the 19mm nut , but don't over tq.
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09-23-13, 10:41 AM
#9
On my 430 I didnt have any clock spring issues.. I judt followed the syeps everybody else previously mentioned.
-disconnect battery
-remove the little covers on both sides of the wheel.
-remove the little hex bolts (2 of them)
-carefully pull off the air bag (dont yank it because you have to unplug two clips in the back
-unsrew the big nut in the middle holding the wheel
-then i borrowed a steering wheel puller from autozone (super easy and free, so you dont have to muscle the wheel off) should pop right off
-disconnect battery
-remove the little covers on both sides of the wheel.
-remove the little hex bolts (2 of them)
-carefully pull off the air bag (dont yank it because you have to unplug two clips in the back
-unsrew the big nut in the middle holding the wheel
-then i borrowed a steering wheel puller from autozone (super easy and free, so you dont have to muscle the wheel off) should pop right off
09-24-13, 06:46 AM
#11
The clock spring on the steering coloum is not much a big deal. If you are delicate in the procedure then you just slip the new wheel over the spline IN THE SAME ORIENTATION you remove the old one on
09-24-13, 09:53 AM
#13
but will go off after the new one is plugged in and it resets itself....
i have changed my wheel 4 times n only unhooked the battery once (i have 2 batteries so its a nuisance to do) its doable but to be safe and for those people not very smart or mechanically inclined, just go ahead and unhook the battery. also a puller isnt needed 99% of the time but if you dont know how to get it off, go to autozone n rent a puller....
watch out for the SRS plug though, i tore mine once n had to solder it back together
i have changed my wheel 4 times n only unhooked the battery once (i have 2 batteries so its a nuisance to do) its doable but to be safe and for those people not very smart or mechanically inclined, just go ahead and unhook the battery. also a puller isnt needed 99% of the time but if you dont know how to get it off, go to autozone n rent a puller....
watch out for the SRS plug though, i tore mine once n had to solder it back together
09-24-13, 10:13 AM
#14
but will go off after the new one is plugged in and it resets itself....
i have changed my wheel 4 times n only unhooked the battery once (i have 2 batteries so its a nuisance to do) its doable but to be safe and for those people not very smart or mechanically inclined, just go ahead and unhook the battery. also a puller isnt needed 99% of the time but if you dont know how to get it off, go to autozone n rent a puller....
watch out for the SRS plug though, i tore mine once n had to solder it back together
i have changed my wheel 4 times n only unhooked the battery once (i have 2 batteries so its a nuisance to do) its doable but to be safe and for those people not very smart or mechanically inclined, just go ahead and unhook the battery. also a puller isnt needed 99% of the time but if you dont know how to get it off, go to autozone n rent a puller....
watch out for the SRS plug though, i tore mine once n had to solder it back together
