Help Changing Steering Wheel

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ViC

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so ever since i bought my 04 LS sport, i've always wanted the wood trim wheel and the shifter knob that is not part of the sport package for that year. the shifter was no problem and done fast, but i finally found the wheel. i found one off the same year car, with the same trim code and without the nav (i don't have nav).

so, it looks, based on initial thoughts, i can do it myself. i have the concern (maybe unwarranted) of knocking off the airbag by making a mistake...

anyone have any help to offer? should i take it to the dealer to do it? or can i do it myself?

much thanks.

FYI- i searched:
1) steering wheel change
2) change steering wheel

and the first two pages yielded unrelated material. i know not most creative search effort...
 
Leave the battery unplugged for a min of 20-30 mins.. after that, touch the two wires together to make sure the capacitors are drained..
 
looks complicated. i have minimal experience. so that's like 0-10; 0 being "where's the oil pan?"

so i'm like 2-3. should i just get it done at a pro/ or dealer? i'm worried about blowing the airbag out...
 
Check the clockspring replacement thread. Might be useful?

Edit: Mk8 guy beat me to it! :p
 
If your worried, have someone else do it.. When you start worrying, that's when things happen.. If your confident in yourself, it shouldn't be too hard..

Just remember it's not worth getting killed for.. ;)
 
i got that part; thanks! problem is, i'm worried about screwing up the airbag. really that's the thing. i don't want

A) blow up

B) incorrect 'way of hooking it up' and so get airbag error

so, i'm wondering, if i pull the battery cables and buzz them together to drain them, wait 30m to be safe, then i can follow the instructions above- and not have the bad side effect i'm scared of?
 
ok so put the wires together, and then reverse the process to install? sounds good and cheap
 
I would unhook.. Wait a half hour then tap them together.. Continue with the install.. Just so it drains some of the stored voltage first before you tap them.. It's probably not a big deal but it's not worth finding out if it screws up the computer..
 
ok thanks. so i can get the tool at a store like o'reily's or autozone?
 
it really is easy -
http://www.lskoncepts.com/Steering Wheel Removal.pdf

once the battery is disconnected
- remove the two screw plug covers on the backside of the steering wheel and the two screws beneath. this is holding the airbag on
- unplug the airbag connector
- remove the four bolts (and springs) holding the horn actuator in, unplug and remove
- remove the T50 Torx bolt holding the steering wheel on to the spindle
- using a two finger puller remove the steering wheel

this is the tool you need -
43_1_b.jpg
 
quik thanks for the post. i got it now. appreciate it :D

i figured i could do the rest. it's that with airbag connector that had me worried. i figure that in the wrong place, at the wrong time, i could screw that up. but, sounds like d/c battery, touch pos and neg together to remove residual charge, then move forward with the gear and replace the wheel. should not have any problems or errors...


not holding anyone to anything... nothing is nothing, but theoretically...

thx :D
 
ok thanks, i changed it a week ago. it worked out well. the tool is fairly cheap at $20 from oreily's (sp).

some pics on the conversion. i really think the wood trim on the wheel and the knob adds 'colour' to the interior. don't know why they sold this car without it!

before and after pics.

DSC00774.jpg


photo02.jpg
 
before and after pics. given the lighting is not good in the before pic, and also it's a little blurry...
 
ViC said:
so ever since i bought my 04 LS sport, i've always wanted the wood trim wheel and the shifter knob that is not part of the sport package for that year.
Click to expand...


99.999999999% of the '03-'06 V8s have the sport package (there are like less than 10 in the US; non-sport was available in Canada). Did you buy the car used? If so, I would bet the previous owner swapped out the wood parts for leather. The give-away is the wood on the door panels and dash. If not, your LS should have come with the wood wheel and shifter.
 
Yeah I guess they did then. I did buy it used in the states.
 
ViC said:
ok thanks, i changed it a week ago. it worked out well. the tool is fairly cheap at $20 from oreily's (sp).

some pics on the conversion. i really think the wood trim on the wheel and the knob adds 'colour' to the interior. don't know why they sold this car without it!

before and after pics.
Click to expand...

Looks good I did the same on mine. I love the luxury look!
 
Hey Vic, what kind of shape is your old wheel in and do you want to get rid of it?
 
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