How do I remove steering wheel?
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 503
Likes: 3
From: Connecticut
How do I remove steering wheel?
I am trying to send out me steering wheel to American Stitches. I know there was a link a year ago with regards to removing the steering wheel. After searching I could not find the link. Please help. I am trying to get this done ASAP
Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Austin Texas
Here is the link to the wood steering wheel grou buyp. I postted the instructions on how-to remove the wheel.
Enjoy...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...l&pagenumber=5
Enjoy...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...l&pagenumber=5
The steering wheel removal involves quite a few steps but is an easy process...
1 - Disconnect the positive and negative terminals from the battery and give it like 30 minutes before you start the wheel removal.
2 - Remove the 2 plastic covers from the side of the air bag
3- Using a T30 torx socket remove the 2 bolts from the air bag
4 - Remove and disconnect air bag and put in a safe place
5 - Disconnect the connector for the cruise control
6 - Remove the big nut from the steering wheel shaft
7 - Hook up a steering wheel puller and pop the steering wheel off
8 - Steering is removed and now you have to take the wheel apart
9 - Remove the rear cover, cruise control ****, air bag/horn brackets
Done...
1 - Disconnect the positive and negative terminals from the battery and give it like 30 minutes before you start the wheel removal.
2 - Remove the 2 plastic covers from the side of the air bag
3- Using a T30 torx socket remove the 2 bolts from the air bag
4 - Remove and disconnect air bag and put in a safe place
5 - Disconnect the connector for the cruise control
6 - Remove the big nut from the steering wheel shaft
7 - Hook up a steering wheel puller and pop the steering wheel off
8 - Steering is removed and now you have to take the wheel apart
9 - Remove the rear cover, cruise control ****, air bag/horn brackets
Done...
Super bump!!!! Used this to remove and install my new wood wheel. Had some issues with the torx screws but everything was ok. Didn't need a puller. Two yanks and it was off. BTW my air bag is a single stage. Read so much inaccurate info on this site that all 01+ GS is dual stage.
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actually if you read posts from reliable people you would know that SOME 2001 models have single stage bags (myself included) and some have dual stage and its determined by when they were made in 2001. early in the year models have a single and later in the models have a dual.
can determine when your car was made by the VIN #
can determine when your car was made by the VIN #
doesnt matter what my definition is on anything, i didnt make the car or make the switch (i dunno when this was either)....every later model 2001 i have ever seen (minus yours since you say its a late model 2001) has been dual stage.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 23
From: PA
I think by early he meant cars manufactured anywhere ranging from 06/2001 and earlier??? Idk exactly. But early in manafacturing can even be a few months PRIOR to 2001. Gotta check with your VIN # and see where that leads you bro...
It doesn't really matter what he meant honestly it isn't that serious. I just haven't seen a dual stage 01+ personally. The "overall" though is that all 01+ is dual stage which is totally incorrect. If you search that's all that you will read here minus a few going against the grain. This wood wheel feels great.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: NY
Did any of you guys have trouble with removal of the torx screws? I tried multiple times last night and even with a power drill, it would not budge. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
For anyone doing this DIY I highly suggest using a steering wheel puller and not pulling off by force. Although it is possible to pull it off by force once the center nut is removed but I ended up f'kn up my telescopic motor. The tilt motor still works perfect but the in 'n' out only moves about 1/4" at a time 
It didnt even occr to me because I've done it so many times with all my previous cars, but non of them had a telescopic motor
It didnt even occr to me because I've done it so many times with all my previous cars, but non of them had a telescopic motor
well I'm a big muscular guy and I still had trouble with the screws. I had to add an extension to my bit to break it loose. The painful part was actually getting the torx screw out the cavity so I could pull the airbag out. That took me about 20 mins. Steering wheel puller it's necessary at all if you have some strength or visit the gym. Once I got the nut loose, I yanked at 10-2, then 8-4 and it came right off. Watch the clock spring in the bag. Don't touch or turn it
