Steering Wheel Replacement
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 145
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From: New York
Steering Wheel Replacement
Has anyone ever switched out their steering wheel for a newer one? Mine in my 04 LS430 is getting a little worn, and am thinking of getting one from eBay as replacement. Anyone ever done a switch-over?
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Not deploy
Yes, or worse, not deploy when you need it during an accident. Unless you're a mechanic and know how to do it, but this isn't a typical DIY job for even above average DIY folks.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
10 min
Again, not knowing the specifics of the LS430's system, I would not tackle it myself, but then again, I'm just a regular DIY joe...
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 47
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From: Ga
The news media and the legal system have scared the public to death concerning airbags! You will have no problem at all changing the steering wheel out, there is virtually zero risk of an inadvertent deployment. ALL airbags have shorting bars built into their connectors to stop static electricity from causing deployments. CPA (connector position assurance) type connectors are the norm also, it requires a complete seating of the connector followed by installation of a secondary lock onto the connector. The shorting bars will engage across the terminals even before the connector is totally unseated. This will stop any voltage from reaching the squib segment of the airbag. I've had hundreds off in the past 20 years with zero issues, I did use the precautions of disconnecting batteries and removing fuses and leaving it for 30 mins for some time after SRS systems came out, for the past 15 years it's just remove the airbag and carry on. I do them even with the vehicle running in some situations. The issue to be concerned with is keeping the key off when it's disconnected to avoid setting SRS codes (BMW certainly requires a special clearing tool, and older Toyota and Lexus models required one too unless you knew what terminals to ground in the right combination),
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2012
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From: MO
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: VA
Steering Wheel Replacement
OK folks, I too want to replace or recover the existing leather. It is worn out and looks bad. I have a friend who can get me a new steering wheel but he is does not install them. From all these post it appears a DIY should not do this except for one tread and that person even has the car running.
There has to be someone who has done this or at leas have the procedures published.
Let me know please.
2004 LS 430 UL, Black with parchment interior.
Bobbyg49
There has to be someone who has done this or at leas have the procedures published.
Let me know please.
2004 LS 430 UL, Black with parchment interior.
Bobbyg49
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 248
From: AZ
Seeing the price of new steering wheels and the labor involved, I'd take it to an upholstery shop and see if they can restitch the leather and maybe replace the wood before I'd go this route. My guess is they could make it look like new for under $200 vs $1,500 or so to replace the steering wheel with a new one.
I've removed steering wheels on older cars (pre-airbag) and it wasn't a big deal, but on newer cars, I'd be wary feeling my way through it.
I've removed steering wheels on older cars (pre-airbag) and it wasn't a big deal, but on newer cars, I'd be wary feeling my way through it.
theres a company in texas that specialize in reconditioning the steering wheel to new for less than $500. this includes the leather and any cracks or discoloration of the wood. they even have a diy vid on how to take ur steering wheel apart.
theres a thread about it with a link.
*edit*
found it...
http://www.craftcustoms.com/index.htm
theres a thread about it with a link.
*edit*
found it...
http://www.craftcustoms.com/index.htm
Last edited by sr20mofo; Sep 3, 2013 at 02:34 PM.
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