Steering Wheel

[highlander]

Hey guys,

I just bought a leather steering wheel from a 2003 model 406 (should be here by Friday). A snip at £30, including airbag.

Question - how do I remove my steering wheel? And then how do I put it back on?

I'd prefer to do it myself rather than use a garage. All the same, I'd also like to not have the airbag exploding in my face. So, some safety tips would also be appreciated!

Also: I fitted my new leather exec-spec door cards. They look lovely! Just need seats now...

Cheers
Graeme

[steve_earwig]

You sure that's gonna fit? I thought yours was a '99, that'll be a com 2000 on an '03

[highlander]

Don't need the stalks, just the wheel

Please don't tell me I've fscked up ... the Wifely Person will kill me

[eoin27]

***Disconnect the battery first to avoid the airbag giving you a broken nose (or even killing you)***

I dont think you f**ked up. The airbag part of the wheel is either clipped in or its screwed in (please advise). Either way, you'll find two holes at the back of the wheel to remove that piece. Then there is a bolt in the centre of the wheel. I think thats it. Just do the same in reverse with the new wheel. If possible, replace the front with the one from the old wheel. That way, the airbag wont have to be programmed in.

Ive never had to do this before to be honest.

[steve_earwig]

The airbag part of the wheel is either clipped in or its screwed in (please advise).

That's the problem, I think Graeme's one will be screwed on from the back, the new one will have that spring clip thing. That might be ok, just use the airbag that came with the wheel (airbags need to be programmed in?? ) but will the horn and airbag connectors be the same??

I did a com 2000 & steering wheel change how'to which should be in the no ledge bass somewhere. That might help... or it might not

Excuse me while I go collapse, I've been clearing snow since 9. And it's still coming down

[Welly]

Ka-Booooooom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oqf-ivaFpzM

And,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e5cHhCE ... re=related


OMG,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRp0bqwY5ug&feature=fvw

[steve_earwig]

Makes you want to leave the things disconnected I'll take my chances with the windscreen, ta very much.

[Welly]

There's a vid on there showing an air bag detonator going off (sans air bag) from a steering wheel and it looks like a shot gun blast

[highlander]

Not making me feel very reassured about this operation, guys ...

I can't view YouTube from work, and my damned imagination is letting me look at how bad it could be ...

Can someone who knows give me a step by step of how to do this (again, I'd prefer it not to explode before, during, or after the steering wheel swap)?

Thanks!
Graeme

[steve_earwig]

Yootoob was people doing stupid things by setting airbags off out of the car, one guy got hurt.

I'm not sure how important it is to disconnect the airbag ecu, it probably isn't that but I'd rather be safe than sorry and followed what it says in the almighty Haynes.

How To: D9 Steering Wheel Removal and COM2000 Change. Obviously you only follow it down as far as the steering wheel removal stuff. I think the earlier wheel should be more-or-less the same, except the airbag's held on with 2 torx screws from the back instead of the bluddy horrible spring clip. Even if the wheels do turn out to be different I reckon you need to check the airbag connectors are the same, probably not something you should monkey with if they're not.

[highlander]

I am getting the idea that I've bitten off more than I can chew

You really have to dismantle the centre console and disable the airbag ECU?

Would mine even have a separate ECU for the airbag, being a '99 model?

Spot the rookie

[steve_earwig]

My D8 didn't I'm sure people used to these things would say leave the battery off for a while but I'm not, that's the first time I ever touched an airbag (who's the rookie now? )

It's not so much ag to take the centre console out!

[HimBigChief]

Not done it on my 406 yet, but fancying a later spec steering wheel if the splines are the same.

As said above, disconnect battery first. Make sure steering wheel is in the straight ahead position. Undo the two screws (most likely torx) on back of airbag/rear of steering wheel, airbag pops out, disconnect electrical connector, remove airbag from the car. Undo nut in middle of steering wheel (23mm IIRC), but don't take it all the way off yet. Pull hard on steering wheel, making sure to thank me for telling you to use the nut to stop the wheel (and not your teeth/other facial part). Fitting is reversal of removal.

I repaced my Subaru Legacy steering wheel with an Impreza Momo one, this involved using the airbag from the Momo wheel, this plugged in and worked fine. No flashing lights or anything so hopefully the 406 will behave the same!

[TopDonkey]

a 2003 steering wheel will have the horn in the centre of the wheel i think, whereas your car will likely have it on the left stalk, and the connectors will likely be different too once you have the airbag off, i have taken loads of airbags off and on, and i just disconnect the battery, wait 30 mins and then do what i like and have never had a problem with one going off, so i wouldnt be too worried about it, just make sure your battery is disconnected when you do it

[highlander]

Mine has the horn on the airbag pad (towards the edges), not on a stalk. No idea about connectors yet; I haven't had the stones (let alone the time) to dismantle my car today to check...

Hoping the connectors for the airbag / horn will be the same