Originally Posted by C U IN REARVEIW

I am upgrading to a newer style steering wheel. I can't seem to figure out how to remove the steering column covers...I see no 1" rubber strap to remove? Am I not looking in the right area....thoughts I looked everywhere...? (2005 car)

Originally Posted by LV2TOUR

Here are the instructions for a 2005 Steering Wheel (Telescopic)
The manual wheel has a slightly different configuration for the column covers removal.
If you need the instructions for the manual wheel, let me know and I'll post those as well.

Originally Posted by C U IN REARVEIW

Yes,mine is a manual. That would be great thanks....I have never had a steering column lock issue....but is there something I should be doing to prevent it while I'm in here?

Originally Posted by csnow

Here is a DIY for those that have the no start issue due to the worn out solenoid in the column lock. If you have an 05 and your car wont start (gauges sweep but nothing) and you have to pull the negative cable repeatedly to get the car to start, then you need to replace your SCL. If your column lock is going out you will hear a difference in the noises your column makes while unlocking the wheel. Instead of a fast zip, it may labor, be extra noisy, or barely sound at all.

I pulled together a couple of threads and then added pics to complete this DIY. The steering wheel photos were borrowed from cencalC6's steering wheel removal thread.


Here is the part you will be replacing. I picked it up from Kevin at PartsTaxi for $370.00 Kevin is the best guy with the best prices on the forum. I have bought from the others but Kevin will have all my future business.



VERY IMPORTANT BEFORE YOU START....DISCONNECT THE BATTERY and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

First, remove the airbag

On each side of the steering wheel there is a little tiny hole.Use a small allen wrench or screwdriver and push and feel for a tab that has some type of spring feel to it.At the same time pull on the airbag gently on the side your are pushing in......Now shove a wrench or some type of a smooth object, between the airbag and the wheel.... so it will not attach itself back in place.Repeat the same step on the other side of the wheel.

NOTE: On the 05 there are four holes (two on each side) because we have the dough boy wheel

The below image is from an 06 and up wheel.







With a flat head screwdriver gently pry out the little plastic locking tabs.then you squeez the connectors and remove them.





Unplug this Black connector



With a 21mm socket remove the nut on the steering wheel



Notice that the wheel and shaft have alignment markes, make sure that they are aligned when removed and installed. VERY IMPORTANT



Gently pull on steering wheel left to right and it will free itself loose



This next step is on how to remove the clock spring

Revove the bottom panel underneath your Steering wheel,there 2 torx screws that need to be removed after that then gently pop out the panel there are 2 plastic tabs that will snap out.



Remove this stainless bracket out the way, (4) 7mm bolts that need to be removed.





Remove Steering Column Cover...Firmly Remove 1" Rubber Strap towards the front of the car







You will need to use a C clip tool to remove the clock spring. Sear sells a nice two-way action one with differnet sized pins for multiple jobs.





Once the C clip is removed, remove the clock spring and set it to the side (I didnt unhook it, I just moved it out of my way)

Next, you need to remove another retaining clip. There is a large spring on the reverse side of this plate that must be compressed to remove the retaining clip. I could not push the spring by hand, so I had to buy a steering wheel lock plate removal tool. It was $17 at Advanced Auto - Autocraft Part #AC579.



Tool in use. The tool has a wing nut on it but the spring pressure was too tight so I had to clamp some good ole red neck vice grips on there. I will probably replace the wing nut with a regular nut, but not today.



Clip removed



Remove the wiper and turn signal. Torx screws and clips



There's the little bugger that left me outside one too many stores with my hood up while I kept unhooking the negative battery cable! Nothing like a teenage kid walking by saying nice car while he drives off in his civic -

Remove the steering column lock. Two torx screws on the front and one torx screw on the right side where the wiper controller was mounted.


The white ribbon cable is heading up behind the gauge cluster - great....

Remove bezel from around gauge cluster. There are four snap clips. Pull gently and it will pop out. Disconnect the wires needed to get it out of your way.

The dash cluster is held in by four 7mm nuts



Cluster is removed and there is the end of our ribbon cable



Unplug the cable from the little black box and reroute your new ribbon cable in with the same routing. There are some securing clips along the path that are part of the cable itself

Ummm, I sure hope I remember how all this goes back together




Put everyting back in the reverse order that you removed it.


Here is my beautiful wife putting the clip back in on the reassembly. She has a lot more patience than me and is actually a good mechanic. She should be, she has a mechanical engineering degree. Yes, I know, the car needs washed. It rained the other day.



Hope this helps someone in the future. The job isnt that bad but the various clips and such can be a real pain in the rear. Car fires right up and the SCL is making a nice zip instead of the moan and groan it used to.

Originally Posted by C U IN REARVEIW

Do most of the 2005 cars eventually have an issue with the column lock mechanism? I have had mine for 8 yrs w/o issue.....or is it worth doing as I'm nearly there already?

Originally Posted by Hoonose

2005 manuals only a matter of time. Just look at the internal parts and you can see why. I posted them years ago. There's a nylon worm gear in there as I recall that just screams soon to fail.

Originally Posted by LS WON

Good thing got a 4 spd. auto.

Originally Posted by mbarlow

Part #: 88963402

Originally Posted by Darp

https://www.gmpartsxperts.com/oem-pa...-elek-88963402 Says no longer availible?

Originally Posted by Hoonose

You still have it?

Originally Posted by LS WON

I sure do 14+ yrs. now.

Originally Posted by Hoonose

I posted that over a year ago!

My LC 500 is already in 4th gear at about 15 MPH!

Originally Posted by LS WON

Better late than never.

Originally Posted by Hoonose

God bless you and your still wonderful ride!