Removing Steering Wheel and Skislope

[ds2000]

Hi,

Folks, time for the winter project (/maintenance/niceties) to get underway (well at the weekend anyway).

Does anyone have instructions on removing the steering wheel (without the blowing my head off with the airbag) and the centre console. Even better if there is a service manual kicking about.

Steering wheel is bald and the centre console will either be getting painted piano black or possibly covered as well.

Thanks

Dave

Edited by ds2000 on Tuesday 16th December 15:32

[DAVIDOXE]

You will find removing the ski slope in the frequently asked questions section.
But i would also be interested in the wheel removal as i would love an alcantara one.

[ds2000]

Thanks for answering one of my questions

Airbags are usually quite easy but would just like an indication before I attack the car

[simonpa]

Steering wheel removal is simples.

Disconnect battery and leave for 20 mins to allow charge in airbag to die down.

Use a torx bit to undo the wheel cover - the screws are accessible from the back of the wheel, but you will need to turn the wheel to see the recesses.

Remove cover/horn-pad assembly (it just pulls off once screws are out.

Undo the screws holding the airbag in and pull off the electrical connectors - one at a time and don't short anything, just in case.
I'd also approach it from the side, rather than face an airbag unit...

Remove key and turn the wheel to engage the steering lock.

Use a large socket and decent-length ratchet/bar to remove the nut holding the wheel on.

Pull off the wheel - it may be stiff, so I use the pads on my palms to strike the back of the rim alternate sides to loosen the wheel on the splines.

I think that is it!

[ds2000]

Perfect, thanks for that. Exactly the same procedure as the cars I've done before. Quite excited to be pimping my interior a little

[KarlFranz]

I don't know whether you have a newer car with an ECU key or an older one with a standard key. In either case, you need to use the key to unlock the steering column so you can rotate the wheel to remove the Torx screws that fasten the airbag unit.

If the ignition is ON (even with engine off) at any time whilst the airbag is disconnected, it will trigger a fault code that will display an airbag error every time you start the car from that point on. The fault can only be cleared if you use an appropriate scan tool or AMDS; it will not clear on its own after multiple ignition cycles as it does with other faults.

Because of this, it is important the steps you follow be in a particular sequence:

- Use the key to unlock the column.
- Rotate the wheel to allow access to the 2 Torx screws.
- Remove the screws but DO NOT remove or disconnect the airbag.
- Center the wheel.
- Remove the key to lock the column.
- Remove Power.
- Lift airbag off wheel.
- Disconnect airbag (do not apply power again until airbag is reconnected.)

Note: Each of the airbag connectors (one black, the other grey: for the two stage deployment) have a safety latch you must slide before you can pull the connector off. This is designed to prevent accidental disconnection due to vehicle vibration. DO NOT attempt to pry off the connector before sliding the latch or you could break the connector.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

simonpa said:

Steering wheel removal is simples.


Use a torx bit to undo the wheel cover - the screws are accessible from the back of the wheel, but you will need to turn the wheel to see the recesses.

Remove cover/horn-pad assembly (it just pulls off once screws are out.

Undo the screws holding the airbag in and pull off the electrical connectors - one at a time and don't short anything, just in case.

Why are you referring to 2 sets of screws? There are only the two Torx bolts at the back of the wheel, and undoing them allows the airbag to be removed. No other screws involved.

[V12Vanquish]

Don't completely remove the steering wheel nut until the wheel is loose on the splines, just in case it comes off and hits you in the face when you are pulling on it.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

V12Vanquish said:

Don't completely remove the steering wheel nut until the wheel is loose on the splines, just in case it comes off and hits you in the face when you are pulling on it.

These wheels aren't splined, they have hex shaped hole, so re-installing is much less likely to result in being offset.

[ds2000]

KarlFranz said:

I don't know whether you have a newer car with an ECU key or an older one with a standard key. In either case, you need to use the key to unlock the steering column so you can rotate the wheel to remove the Torx screws that fasten the airbag unit.

If the ignition is ON (even with engine off) at any time whilst the airbag is disconnected, it will trigger a fault code that will display an airbag error every time you start the car from that point on. The fault can only be cleared if you use an appropriate scan tool or AMDS; it will not clear on its own after multiple ignition cycles as it does with other faults.

Because of this, it is important the steps you follow be in a particular sequence:

- Use the key to unlock the column.
- Rotate the wheel to allow access to the 2 Torx screws.
- Remove the screws but DO NOT remove or disconnect the airbag.
- Center the wheel.
- Remove the key to lock the column.
- Remove Power.
- Lift airbag off wheel.
- Disconnect airbag (do not apply power again until airbag is reconnected.)

Note: Each of the airbag connectors (one black, the other grey: for the two stage deployment) have a safety latch you must slide before you can pull the connector off. This is designed to prevent accidental disconnection due to vehicle vibration. DO NOT attempt to pry off the connector before sliding the latch or you could break the connector.

Perfect post thanks, devil is in the detail. I was looking at your old car and your for sale website yesterday to see some pics on your interior whilst I was deciding what to do with mine