Steering wheel removal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 640
Likes: 11
From: Whitehall, PA USA
Steering wheel removal
How tough is it to remove the steering wheel? I have a new VE one, so the old one has to come off. I realize that there are precautions that have to be taken, but I'd rather try to do this myself than let a dealership do it. Any advice would be appreciated.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Sacto Kalifornication
Just follow the instructions on the VE website to the letter. I did mine according to Kens Instructions and it went as smooth as glass. one thing I would caution you to do is to remove the airbag fuses and absolutly disconect the battery. Generally that is just a CYA move for the accessory manufacturer but in this case it is 100% essential
Have fun and dont forget to post a pic of the finished product
Have fun and dont forget to post a pic of the finished product
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 552
Likes: 0
From: Sacto Kalifornication
OK well I guess they pulled em but I know i got them from Him 2 years ago when I bought My wheel. Heres what you do.
1. Disconnect your battery
2. Find the airbag fuse and pull it.
3. remove 2 screws that come in through the back of the wheel.
4. Carefully disconnect and remove the airbag/horn assy. put aside in a safe location
5. loosen and remove the center nut on the wheel.
6. use a "J" hook type puller to remove the wheel(available at Napa or Autozone). Note: this puppy is gonna seem like it just aint going anywhere and than will pop off all of a sudden like.
When installing the new wheel just reverse the process. I believe that the torque is 30 FtLbs but in my humble opinion, Its a steering wheel, It can't be too tight the whole process shouldnt take you more than an hour start to finish, Including the armour all
Have fun bub
1. Disconnect your battery
2. Find the airbag fuse and pull it.
3. remove 2 screws that come in through the back of the wheel.
4. Carefully disconnect and remove the airbag/horn assy. put aside in a safe location
5. loosen and remove the center nut on the wheel.
6. use a "J" hook type puller to remove the wheel(available at Napa or Autozone). Note: this puppy is gonna seem like it just aint going anywhere and than will pop off all of a sudden like.
When installing the new wheel just reverse the process. I believe that the torque is 30 FtLbs but in my humble opinion, Its a steering wheel, It can't be too tight
the whole process shouldnt take you more than an hour start to finish, Including the armour all Have fun bub
Last edited by y2kcorvettebob; Apr 13, 2006 at 12:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would definitely follow the CURRENT instructions on the VE website. It's not worth the risk or hassle. Just take it to the dealership and pay them $50 to do it for you.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 640
Likes: 11
From: Whitehall, PA USA
It's not the $, it's the fear of what they may do to my car. Same reason why I do as much work on the car as I can myself. I figure if the semi-trained monkeys at MY dealership can do it, as long as no special tools or equipment is required, so can I. No insult meant to places that have good careful techs/mechanics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 5
From: Silver Spring MD
I figure it's an airbag and shouldn't be messed with by me! Ken told me just to take it to the dealer, and that's what I did... It was like $81, which is fine for piece of mind...
Also, the dealer told me that if replaced it, there could be warranty issues with the airbag so whatever, they did it and everything came out fine!
Also, the dealer told me that if replaced it, there could be warranty issues with the airbag so whatever, they did it and everything came out fine!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 5
From: Silver Spring MD
Well I don't know the mechanics at our local dealer and that was the standard servicing quote I got from three dealers... I'm sure if you have a friend who is a tech, a nice 12 pack will do!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,276
Likes: 227
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
i've done a few of these, in addition to pulling the fuse, i disconnect the srs connector under the column before removing the bag and finally disconnecting the actual bag conn., basically in accordance with the GM shop manual, you see it titled as 'disabling zone srs zone xx'
Torx on the bag bolts
Torx on the bag bolts
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Westport, MA. www.tbyrnemotorsports.com - 1-877-4-TBYRNE
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I was talking to a GM Service Mgr today. He said they recommend resetting the computer after doing this. I can't see doing that after just disconnecting the bag.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 640
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From: Whitehall, PA USA
Finshed the job yesterday. No big deal, no computer reset required. The hardest part was actually pulling off the wheel, because i had a "generic" whell puller that didn't have the "arms" that you need to use with late model GM steering wheels. I made a pair from some pieces of all-thread and got the wheel to come off with some considerable effort. The new VE wheel looks good - will post pictures tonight.