Replacing '99 SC400 Steering wheel.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: MN
Replacing '99 SC400 Steering wheel.
Does anyone have experience or advice on changing out a stock '99 SC400 Steering wheel for a wooden one that would come off of a 2002 RX300? I have seen it done--in fact, attached is an image of that exact '02 RX300 steering wheel that was put onto a '97 SC400. My body shop has told me that the exact airbag that came with my '99 has to be used in any replacement wheel because of the computer registration tied to the vehicle. If anybody has had experience with this, I would love to hear about it and any advice/suggestions that they can offer. (to see the attachment, go to "edit" and click on go advanced).
Last edited by ggreffin; Jan 27, 2023 at 05:59 PM. Reason: Attachment wasn't available
'99 switched to the 3-spoke wheel and smaller airbag connector, but there's nothing new communicating between the airbag and vehicle, as far as I know. Pretty sure your body shop straight up lied to you.
Any of the single-stage airbag (up through '01, I believe, but maybe '02), 3-spoke steering wheels will be a direct fit, with only the CC stalk needing some attention.
Any of the single-stage airbag (up through '01, I believe, but maybe '02), 3-spoke steering wheels will be a direct fit, with only the CC stalk needing some attention.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 15
Likes: 2
From: MN
Thanks, that helps a lot. I sort of felt that my body shop guy was attempting to deflect me from asking him to do the job---because he did not know how to do it! My next course of action is to find someone capable and confident to do the job. Every bit of information helps and I appreciate your input.
There shouldn’t be any issue changing it out. I had an 05 IS300 and currently an 03 ES300 steering wheel in my 1993 SC300. I’ve never tried it on a late SC like yours but they should still work. Steering wheels were in interchangeable on the second generation GS and third generation ES vehicles without any issues, so I can’t imagine the SC being any different.
It shouldn’t be too labor intensive. I’ve pulled a few steering wheels at the junkyard and I believe you need a Torx 30 screwdriver for the two bolts on each side of the steering wheel, and a 19mm socket to remove the wheel. I never tried reinstalling one myself but my friend that worked with me at Lexus recommended an alignment afterwards to make sure the steering was fine. He swapped my SC’s IS300 wheel for an ES300 wheel in 10 minutes.
If an alignment is needed, it was needed regardless of the steering wheel swap.
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