How to remove and replace your ES300 Steering wheel
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
How to remove and replace your ES300 Steering wheel
Removes the 2 small knockout panels on the left and right side of the steering wheel. One is located around the cruise control lever and one on the opposite side. Remove the 3 T-27 torx bolts, 2 on the left side and one on the left side of the steering wheel.
Remove the airbag assembly, disconnecting any wiring harnesses attaching it to the wheel.
Remove the center horn wiring harness connecting the wheel to the hub. Then remove the 13/16 nut in the center of the steering wheel. Use a steering wheel puller to remove the wheel.
Rotate the center to the left until it is tight. Then move it 2 turns to the right and line up the 2 red arrows.
Install the new steering wheel and replace and tighten the center nut to about 20lbs of torque. Reconnect the horn harness.
Reconnect the airbag harness and put the airbag back in place. Re-install the 3 torx bolts and replace the knockout covers.
Remove the airbag assembly, disconnecting any wiring harnesses attaching it to the wheel.
Remove the center horn wiring harness connecting the wheel to the hub. Then remove the 13/16 nut in the center of the steering wheel. Use a steering wheel puller to remove the wheel.
Rotate the center to the left until it is tight. Then move it 2 turns to the right and line up the 2 red arrows.
Install the new steering wheel and replace and tighten the center nut to about 20lbs of torque. Reconnect the horn harness.
Reconnect the airbag harness and put the airbag back in place. Re-install the 3 torx bolts and replace the knockout covers.
Last edited by mcelligott; Jun 8, 2005 at 08:11 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,379
Likes: 24
From: Florida
Good job restoring the wheel Sean 
Can easily tell that the outer leather portion of the wheel has definitely worn down thru all the years.
Worthy of putting this useful info up in the ES300 DIY thread at the top
Can easily tell that the outer leather portion of the wheel has definitely worn down thru all the years.Worthy of putting this useful info up in the ES300 DIY thread at the top
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: GA
I have the leather and the ablility to recover my steering wheel, but I'm worried about removing my airbag in the process. How hard is it to remove the airbag without it going off? I don't understand how they are triggered, which makes me worried about trying to take it out. It would make sense that the control box sends the airbag a signal and that triggers it, but in the event of a crash the wire could be severed or something so that makes me wonder if that's it. The thought of basically trying to remove a 15 yr old bomb (92 SC4) from an enclosed space kinda worries me. I've heard stories of these things going off on careless mechanics removing them, and that doesn't help. I really would like to recover my steering wheel though as the leather is completely worn away on the top, and the rubber is showing through.
Thanks,
Daniel
Thanks,
Daniel
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,609
Likes: 5
From: Ohio
I kept my airbag harness disconnected. I have heard horror stories about those gen 1 airbags burning people and completely disfiguring them form the gasses and the force of the bag doing more damamge than the accident would have.
yes disconnecting battery would be a good idea but it does not mean it cuts power to the airbag
airbags have built-in capacitors to supply them backup power in case u lose battery power in an accident.
so disconnecting battery does not mean the airbag will not go off.
just becareful.
and watch out for the clockspring. you dunt wanna over turn it when ur axles or rack is out. it will be destroyed if u turn it more than what it can handle.
its very expensive.....at least 1000$ to replace
airbags have built-in capacitors to supply them backup power in case u lose battery power in an accident.
so disconnecting battery does not mean the airbag will not go off.
just becareful.
and watch out for the clockspring. you dunt wanna over turn it when ur axles or rack is out. it will be destroyed if u turn it more than what it can handle.
its very expensive.....at least 1000$ to replace