Steering Wheel Removal

[xswind]

Hi Guys,

I have managed to get a flat bottomed steering wheel that looks identical button wise to my Highline MFSW.

Looking to try and fit this wheel, this coming weekend so have been researching how to remove the airbag and wheel.

From what I read, I first need to remove the upper steering wheel column plastic, then turn the steering wheel to allow me to release the two airbag hooks, looks easy enough to achieve,.
Q) is there a trick to removing the top plastic cover on the column?

There seems to be conflicting direction whether to disconnect the battery or not?
From what I read and view on Tube of the You, some say disconnect the battery, others say don't as you need to turn on the engine to rotate the steering wheel to remove the airbag clips.

Does anyone have a step by step process or advice to offer please?

As always very much appreciate any help?
Regards XS

 

[Dellmassive]

100% DEFINITELY DISCONNECT THE BATTERY/s . . . .

"Disconnect battery earth cable with ignition switched on"

Then wait 15-30min to be sure . . .

and never probe any YELLOW connectors or wires with a multimeter or anything . . .

"undesired triggering may occur after the battery is connected. Ensure that nobody is in vehicle when connecting battery.
– Connect battery earth cable with ignition switched on"

Thats the standard safety advice when working on any airbag or crash system....



quote from OEM:


Safety instructions for airbag
t Removed driver and front passenger airbag units must be stored with padded side upwards.
It is essential to carry out work in the following sequence when renewing airbag units:
1 - Remove old airbag unit and place to one side with padded side upwards.
2 - Remove new airbag unit from transport packaging and place to one side with padded side upwards.
3 - Immediately place old airbag unit in transport packaging.
4 - Install new airbag unit in vehicle.


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Removing:

WARNING
Observe safety precautions when working on pyrotechnic components
Observe safety instructions for airbag
– Disconnect battery earth cable with ignition switched on
– Move steering wheel to lowest position.
– Extend steering wheel as far as possible into passenger compartment.

WARNING
Before handling pyrotechnic components (e.g. separating the electrical connector), the person handling them must ensure that he/she is “electrically discharged”. To do this, briefly touch, for example, the door striker plate.

Note
The screwdriver mentioned in the following activities should be about 150 mm long and have a blade width of about 5 mm. Alternatively an angled screwdriver with a blade width of 5 mm may be used.

– Turn steering wheel to position shown.
– Insert a screwdriver into hole in back of steering wheel as far as stop.
– Turn screwdriver in -direction of arrow-. As a result, catch of airbag unit -1- is released in on the right-hand side of the steering wheel.
– Turn steering wheel 180° and release catch of airbag unit on left side of steering wheel as described.

– Turn steering wheel back to centre position.


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Installing
Install in reverse order, but note the following:

WARNING

Observe safety precautions when working on pyrotechnic components
Cable must be prevented from lying on balancer.
Before handling pyrotechnic components (e.g. connecting the electrical connector), the person handling them must ensure that he/she is “electrically discharged”. To do this, briefly touch, for example, the door striker plate.

Note
t Ensure that the electrical connectors are pushed fully onto stop and engage audibly.
t Ensure that no wires are trapped.
– Connect connectors -2- and -3-.
– Press airbag unit -1- into steering wheel.
– Lightly pull on the airbag unit to check whether airbag unit has engaged in steering wheel on right and left.
– Switch on ignition.

WARNING
Battery must be connected with ignition switched on. If pyrotechnic components (e.g. airbag, seat belt tensioners) are repaired incorrectly, undesired triggering may occur after the battery is connected. Ensure that nobody is in vehicle when connecting battery.
– Connect battery earth cable with ignition switched on
– Finally, read and clear event memory of airbag control unit since faults may be stored as a result of disconnecting electrical connectors



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[xswind]

An absolute star, thanks so much

 

[xswind]

Looks like my steering wheel needs the guts changed as it as come bare.

Any idea how to remove the steering wheel buttons and trim?? Do I need to remove the crime plastic trim and then the buttons Or does it come out in one?

 

[Tourershine]

The whole centre comes out as a single part.
It's not easy to remove, and takes more pressure than you think it will handle, but does pop out with even leverage. Use plastic levers, and to be safe, jam a cloth under your lever points to stop you denting the wheel foam.

 

[scotia]

slight request for clarification/stupid question...when its written with ignition switched on, this means keys turned but not the engine turning over right?!

 

[Tourershine]

slight request for clarification/stupid question...when its written with ignition switched on, this means keys turned but not the engine turning over right?!

That's how I've always read it yes.

 

[Dellmassive]

slight request for clarification/stupid question...when its written with ignition switched on, this means keys turned but not the engine turning over right?!

Yes . . . engine NOT running.

 

[xswind]

Just removed my buttons and surround on the existing wheel, omg so right about the force needed to get it off what a pita

 

[Tourershine]

Just removed my buttons and surround on the existing wheel, omg so right about the force needed to get it off what a pita

Yeah but once you've got it off, you can see exactly why

 

[xswind]

Yup. All off with no breaks

 

[T6DSGChris]

i about to try and remove my ancillaries...walked away from it yesterday... thanks to this thread it confirms how i need to remove, thanks