Steering Wheel Issue
 

I have a 1999 SC400 (128,000 miles) and the tilt motor stopped working. The Lexus Dealer has quoted me $1400 to
replace it. The part alone is $970 plus $158 per hr to put it in. Has anyone else had a similar issue like this?
Also, was wondering if a wood steering wheel off of a 2001 ES300 or 2002 RX 300 would be compatible
to replace the current leather wrapped wheel which is showing wear?

Have you checked the MEGA DIY thread?

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...light=Tutorial

CoOl21 beat me to it ;) Yes, before you buy that entire assembly try the DIY fix first. The issue is that the plastic gear has gone out of its correct centering on the worm gear. If you can follow the instructions and get into the column yourself it is a very cheap fix with some washers from your local hardware store.

To remove the column cover there are three screws: one is revealed when you turn the steering wheel, one is very deep on the underside requiring a very long screwdriver and the last one I don't recall (sorry!). Then you have to carefully undo some plastic tabs that hold the upper and lower sections together. There is a DIY thread with pictures for the column cover removal but I can't recall what it's specifically called.

It is probably compatible but I'm not 100% sure. Some other members can better confirm but people have used ES or RX steering wheels from some model years. A particular airbag adapter is usually needed which used to be made by SPX Corporation. It should be P/N 09082-00760 although in the wake of the Takata airbag scandal it may no longer be available. That adaptor is plug and play for a later model single-stage airbag such as one from an IS300/Corolla/Matrix/MR2/RAV4 but different wiring may be required for any Lexus two-stage airbag. There may be another fix for the airbag wiring that I'm unaware of.

Remember that if/when you do this you MUST leave the battery disconnected for no less than 90 seconds in order to be sure the airbag is fully discharged of electricity. It's better to wait 2-3 minutes after battery disconnection before messing with any airbag wiring just to be on the safe side.

But your '99 SC400 factory steering wheel is already a desirable upgrade for early SC's. Why not have it color matched and re-wrapped at a good auto upholstery shop?

'99 has it easy if I remember correctly, already having the smaller single-stage airbag connector, so no adapter is needed for swapping in '99-01 (I think '02 all went two-stage) steering wheels from any other Lexus/Toyota.