DIY: Steering Wheel Removal
 

Disclaimer: You will be working with an air bag during this process I am not responsible for any damages to yourself or property. I am not a mechanic nor do I imply that I am, this is simply a guide I made for installing a CF Element Wheel Ring.

Member aszyd purchased this to help with his removal:DEWALT 1 in. Torx Security Drill Bit Tip Set (7-Piece)-DWA1TS-7 at The Home Depot

Now since that has been said lets get on with it.

Tools Needed:

Cordless Drill
1/2 inch or 3/4 ratchet with extension
T30 Tamper Proof Torx Head (I suggest one that will fit in an electric drill)
Six point 19mm Socket
10mm Socket
3 inch extension
Needle Nose Pliers

Removal:

This is very simple if you have the right tools, I did not so I had to run out and pick something up. That was the Tamper Proof Torx Head (it has a hole in it, not flat like a normal Torx). Without this you cant continue so go get one.

!!!DO NOT BEGIN REMOVAL WITHOUT DISCONNECTING BOTH BATTERY CABLES!!!

First, remove both battery cables with a 10mm socket. Now wait at least 3 minutes before going to step two, to insure power is gone.

Second, remove the two plastic caps on both sides of the steering wheel.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSCN2411.jpg
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSCN2413.jpg
I only pictured one side, do the same on both.

Third, remove the two T30 size Tamper Proof screws holding in the air bag. (They are located behind the caps you removed.) These have way to much loctite on them I could not get them to budge with the Torx Screw Driver. Luckily I also got one that would fit in the drill with an adapter.

Fourth, once the two T30 screws have been removed you can slide the air bag out. Pull gently straight towards you. Do not pull it out to far there are three cords that need to be removed. In the picture below you will notice a yellow, and an orange clip. use the needles nose pliers and push in on the black sides, then pull straight out. The other harness is just like all the others out there so I didn't picture it.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSCN2415.jpg

Set the air bag off to the side, do not bump or drop it.

Fifth, remove the center bolt holding on the wheel using a 19mm six point socket with 3" extension. I used a 3/4 ratchet but it would probably be easier with a 1/2 inch.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSCN2417.jpg

Sixth, grab both sides of the wheel and pull towards your body, it should come off with little effort.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSCN2418.jpg

Seventh, remove the plastic shroud from the back of the wheel to be used on the new wheel. It just snaps on and off.

Now just put it back the way you took it off, very simple. Here is an installed photo.
http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/a...p/DSCN2419.jpg

Thanks for looking +rep if you liked, or used this DIY.

If you have any other question shoot me a PM.

awesome dyi

Perfect...thanx for the DIY man!

Any "Air Bag error lights" once the battery was reconnected?

If you disconnect the battery, there shouldn't be any SES lights when you have it all back together and reconnect the battery. The car will never know you had the airbag disconnected.

This is correct, just make sure you do not re connect the battery until completed everything is fine.

About how long did it take? Did it take long to reinstall?

Once I had everything I needed, no more then an hour. Having done it now, 20 minutes if I were to help someone else.

Has anyone in Socal done this and if so would you be willing to meet up to help me out? Thanks guys!

Robert you will need to bring that tamper hex to me and help me. I pulled the trigger on the red carbon fiber one. +1 becasue I will be using your help and DIY. :tup:

You wont be disappointed.

Kelly give me a call today so we can set up a day to do this before I leave for vacation. That red wheel is going to look so awesome!

So I got to the point where I'm removing the two torx bolts on either side of the wheel, but hit a snag. One side came out OK, but the other wouldn't budge a bit. I tried a drill, screwdriver, etc. - and finally it looks like I stripped the torx bolt. Grrrrreat. FML :shakes head:

Anyone else have this problem? Figure out a way to get it out?? Helllllp...

Oh man I'm sorry! They have way to much loctite on them I couldn't get them to budge with out a drill. I pressed as hard as I could then bumped the drill on the max torque. That got them loose enough to finish by hand.

Sounds like your going to need to try and drill into the head a little then find the right size easy out to remove it. If that does not work get a real high quality bit and drill it all the way out and re-thread it.

Also I see you called them a torx. You did buy a tamper proof torx right? It has a small hole on the bottom of the torx head. If not you may still be able to get it out with the proper bit. Again I'm not real clear if you were using a tamper torx or not because the regular torx even the correct size will not work.

The best way to remove these bolts is to loosen it a little the tighten loosen more tighten and so on it helps keep the loctite from jamming up in the threads plus it will chew it up so to speak and make it easier to remove.

As far as tamper poof or not if he didn't have the tamper proof he wouldn't get on it.:hello:

This may be a stupid question, but I'm gonna ask anyway. How do you remove the front plastic (with the Z on it)? Does it just pop off?

That's part of the airbag assembly. It simply pulls out afteR you remove the two torx bolts and unplug th airbag sensors.

:tup:

Thanks for helping with answers guys I have had a lot of personal crap going on and not much time to get on here I will rep ya when I get to a computer one day.

mine got stripped no clue how to remove it-___-

What got stripped?

the first 2 torx screw-__-, shoved the t30 in tried to unscrew it, started stripping immediately.

Did you use the tamper proof torx bit? I soaked my screws with penetrating oil for about 15 minutes and used the tamper proof bits. Came out pretty easily.

yeah i did use the tamper proof ones,
i just went in there trying to unbolt it like a normal bolt it started stripping a bit inside >_<

Nice write-up.

Thanks 6MT

Calvin you will probably have to try an easy out if that does not work a good ole drill and tap set will be needed.

I had the same problem trying it by hand at first so I used a drill just to bump it hard once and they broke loose.

did that -__- drill wasn't strong enough,-__- lmfaooo

gonna finish up tmrw.

So you got them loose?

Hey Calvin any update on this? Someone could benefit one day possibly by what you had to do.

This is a great write up - thanks for everyone input. Its a big help when trying to plan the purchase and install.

Anyways, I am about to order A JPM Coachworks wheel for my Nismo. I just alittle concerned with the whole Torq Screws stipping.

For those who have succefully done this - the correct bit is a T30 Tamper Proof correct? And a drill adaptor for the bit is highly recomended.

What steps can I do to avoid, at all costs, stripping the screw? Is there any spray or bolt loosening spray that may help?

If it strips - in a worst case scenario - what will I need to do to fix it.

Thanks guys.

Yes that is the correct size T30. I tried doing it by hand and that is when they were stripping. So I poped it into a drill pressed firmly with a quick pull of the trigger it busted them loose, then I took them out the rest of the way by hand.

Make sure the drill is level to avoid an angle that does not make full contact with the screw pattern.

If you read Calvin's post he stripped his out and I made a couple suggestions. What he ever done to remedy it was never passed on here. Try giving him a PM he may answer. If not I would not worry to much. Many people have followed the instructions and so far he's the only that stripped them out.

Post pics of the new wheel once it's on!

Great write up! Got me thinking though.

How much extra thread is there on the splined shaft that the wheel bolts to? Is there any prospect of spacing the wheel out? Even 1/2" would help.

Figure I'd ask here before I start tearing my car apart.

Thanks!

Lou

It has been so long I'm not sure how much but there is some extra threads.

Hey guys I removed the yellow and plastic wires from the wheel in the back. How do I remove the third ?

If you are trying to say you removed the yellow and orange harness all that is left is a normal style plug. It has a small tab to push on. It isn't hard to remove like the colored ones.

I removed it. Now when I drive I have a check airbag and engine light. Anyone have any idea how to fix this? Thanks in advance !

You must not have followed the instructions properly. You can try disconnecting the battery for 5-10 minutes. If that does not work I don't know what else to do other than redo the steps up to removing the wheel.

I take it you put everything back the same way it came off, right?

Did anything break?

I just tried removing my stock wheel. I bought the correct tamper bit and the extension. Loaded it in my electric drill and it still wouldn't budge. Is it something I have to have an air tool for?