Air Bag/Steering Wheel Removal. . . Help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
Air Bag/Steering Wheel Removal. . . Help
Hey Guys,
I just spent a couple of hours taking apart my interior, trying to get to the windshield wiper/washer switch on my 02 C5. I was using a post I found here for removing the headlight blinker multi switch. Great write up with picts, but unfortunately I can't get to the wiper switch in the same manner.
I now know, or at least I am convinced, that I will need to remove the airbag and pull the wheel.
Does anyone know of a post for this procedure, or have any resources that I can access? I got a quote from the dealer, and they said it would cost the better part of $600, a local shop quoted $500, and I already bought the switch anyway, so if I can do it myself, I would rather use the money for some mod on my Vette!
Thanks!!
rick
I just spent a couple of hours taking apart my interior, trying to get to the windshield wiper/washer switch on my 02 C5. I was using a post I found here for removing the headlight blinker multi switch. Great write up with picts, but unfortunately I can't get to the wiper switch in the same manner.
I now know, or at least I am convinced, that I will need to remove the airbag and pull the wheel.
Does anyone know of a post for this procedure, or have any resources that I can access? I got a quote from the dealer, and they said it would cost the better part of $600, a local shop quoted $500, and I already bought the switch anyway, so if I can do it myself, I would rather use the money for some mod on my Vette!
Thanks!!
rick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
Quote from Vette essentials on the procedure:
Could be a dangerous, and indeed potentially lethal, task should the airbag accidentally deploy. Additionally, the cost of replacing the airbag, should it deploy, is high, while the cost of hiring an experienced person to install the custom steering wheel is relatively low. Lastly, the installation process requires a steering wheel puller, and the cost of that tool alone typically exceeds the cost to have GM install your new custom wheel.
Thats what they recommend, however I've read some who have successfully done it here on the forum. If you do a search I'm sure you can find some good info on this forum, most likely in the tech section. If your not sure then you should pay the $$ to a pro and have some peace of mind that it was properly done.
Whatever you decide, good luck with your project!
Could be a dangerous, and indeed potentially lethal, task should the airbag accidentally deploy. Additionally, the cost of replacing the airbag, should it deploy, is high, while the cost of hiring an experienced person to install the custom steering wheel is relatively low. Lastly, the installation process requires a steering wheel puller, and the cost of that tool alone typically exceeds the cost to have GM install your new custom wheel.
Thats what they recommend, however I've read some who have successfully done it here on the forum. If you do a search I'm sure you can find some good info on this forum, most likely in the tech section. If your not sure then you should pay the $$ to a pro and have some peace of mind that it was properly done.
Whatever you decide, good luck with your project!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 8
From: Corpus Christi Tx.
Steering Wheel Removal
Okay first thing is the Air Bag has a "power retaining capacitor" that will hold a charge for a while after power is removed. For safety I unhooked the neg battery terminal and waited 1 hour before proceeding.
Take a look at this post it will guide you, the steering wheel does not have to be removed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-a-how-to.html
A small Torex Bit and a 1/4 inch wrench is the key to getting the difficult torex screw out.
Take a look at this post it will guide you, the steering wheel does not have to be removed.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-a-how-to.html
A small Torex Bit and a 1/4 inch wrench is the key to getting the difficult torex screw out.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
That is the post that I used hoping to get to the wiper/washer switch in the same manner.
When i got to the part of actually removing the screws from the switch, it is different that the headlight blinker switch, in that the torx screw on bottom is under the horn ring, not next to it.
So now, I think I don't have any choice but to remove the airbag, the wheel, and then the wiper/washer switch.
If I am missing something, please let me know. I think there might be a difference between the car in the wright up, and my 2002 coup with telescopic column. My column covers had a different cover system also, there is a pressed on rubber or plastic ring that goes almost all the way around the top and bottom covers that is really hard to pull off to separate the top from the bottom.
any help is appreciated!!
When i got to the part of actually removing the screws from the switch, it is different that the headlight blinker switch, in that the torx screw on bottom is under the horn ring, not next to it.
So now, I think I don't have any choice but to remove the airbag, the wheel, and then the wiper/washer switch.
If I am missing something, please let me know. I think there might be a difference between the car in the wright up, and my 2002 coup with telescopic column. My column covers had a different cover system also, there is a pressed on rubber or plastic ring that goes almost all the way around the top and bottom covers that is really hard to pull off to separate the top from the bottom.
any help is appreciated!!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 8
From: Corpus Christi Tx.
Same
Sounds like yours is the same as my 2000 Coupe, I had the rubber ring also. You can get a extension that is about 6 inches long for the torex bit. Using the extension you will be able to reach up the underside and remove the torex screw.
I bought my extension at sears, works great you can get different lengths 3" 6" etc. The 1/4 inch wrench is still needed to turn the T25 bit and extension.
I bought my extension at sears, works great you can get different lengths 3" 6" etc. The 1/4 inch wrench is still needed to turn the T25 bit and extension.
Last edited by ICUALL; Apr 23, 2011 at 06:47 PM.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Northridge CA
The problem I am having is, I am trying to replace the wiper/washer switch, not the light, dirrectional indicator switch. Getting to it is the same, but you can't use the torx bit with the 1/4" wrench cheat to remove the screws holding the switch in place on the collumn.
