Godwinrb

Has anyone tried to swap their own steering wheel? If so, how easy or hard was it? Did you need the steering wheel removal tool? I'm trying to decide whether or not to let the dealer do it. It seems pretty easy, except for this steering wheel removal tool.

THTL

iTrader: (2)

very easy. i swapped mine out to the aspec steering wheel without the removal tool.

EMF9

How about the airbag? Thats the part I am worried about.

rbf351

you disconnect the spring loaded yellow connector, disconnect the ground wire for the horn, remove the 2 hex bolts. air bag comes out, put on the side.

Done

EMF9

How shock sensitive are they?

rbf351

i've taken airs bags off a few cars. just don't drop it on the floor

figure most people slam on the steering wheel when they are pissing, and they don't go off.

PsychFish

in the instructions for dealer install it includes an allignment. Dealers are required to complete this step.

BigB2k5

iTrader: (1)

They only do this if it does not line up straight...


Best thing to do is make sure your wheels are straight as possible. I drove down the road next to a curb until I was going as straight as possible, than I changed my steering wheel and when putting the new one no just put it on straight...

Sometimes they dont go on the same as the one removed, the notches may be moved or something and than it may look like the steering wheel is off center. I got my dealer to do under warranty.

But its nothing hard or crazy to do. Takes maybe 30min. Dont worry about the airbag, it will be fine. Just dont throw or drop it and your good. I just took mine off and put on driver seat...

terminex

Hi,
I am thinking of doing mine too, can you post some pics as you go along?

RJANACONDA

iTrader: (1)

make sure your tools are in good condition or you will strip the torx bolts check the 3g section for instalation instruction

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

And watch the tape reel on the hub and that you dont pull it apart. Easy stuff though...everything else pretty well covered already!

Elegant TYPE S

iTrader: (2)

I was actually going to pay the dealer to do it since I was scared for the airbag. With the 2nd gen people had problems doing this and when they put everythng back together the airbag light came on and basically to get it reset at the dealer you had to pay $70. That's why I decided just to get it done at the dealer to begin with since it was only 1 hour of labor which was $90 bux.

But seems like I am re-thinking my position now after reading this thread. Where is the DIY guide? Is there one?

ding069

i apid the dealer to do it because of the possible alignment adjustment. They charged me like $80-100 for install, and it would actually cost me about the same to align the car. as it was, the dealer DID NOT put the car up on the rack and gave me the car back with a slightly cocked wheel. they put it up on the rack, straightened it out for free(it was supposed to be included anyway)

rondog

iTrader: (1)

disconnect the battery, then just follow the dissassembly, and reassemble in reverse. As for the alightment, just keep it the same, If you mess it up, just dial it clockwise without the wheel attached until it stops, then go back 2 turns for straight.

The hardest part is taking off the actual core, but once everything is disconnected, make sure there are no hidden screws, and banf the wheel from behind with your palms, should pop off after 4 hits or so.

ubond007

I know there are some old threads on the a spec/ carbon fiber steering wheel. Can anyone with either post some good pics?

RJANACONDA

iTrader: (1)

i guess i could snap a quick pic for the cf steering wheel i dont think anyone else has one installed ill post it tonight afterwork so that will be about 2pm eastern

rbf351

there is no need to disconnect the battery, as i stated before i have taken off numerous airbags, and not once have i disconnected the battery.

you have more of a chance of popping the airbag from mishandling it than from it shorting itself

RJANACONDA

iTrader: (1)

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...46#post1640546

pics of cf steering wheel in my carbon fiber interior thread

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Here ya go...an entire steering wheel thread!

https://acurazine.com/forums/money-investing-17/monthly-expenses-152049/

fsttyms1

Disconnect the battery first and you wont have a srs light come on.

fsttyms1

I woudlnt take my chances. Disconnecting the battery is a far safer way to handle the airbag.

rbf351

you can get a srs light if you disconnect the battery or not. if done properly you will not get a light even with the battery connected

have you ever taken an airbg off a car? do you think people disconnect the battery when they are stealing your airbags? No they don't, and again like i said unless you drop them, nothing will happen

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Sir...airbags can and have inadvertently deployed due to shorts, computer malfunctions, ect. so to say you would have to drop it for it to deploy is incorrect. Someone could take your advise...not disconnect the battery...short the wire as they attempted to disconnect it...and have it deploy. So fact is....you are being somewhat risky by not following good safe procedures.

Oh..and the addage of...do you think thieves disconnect that battery.....thieves tend to be people that are uneducated and stupid...follow their train of thought....and you are likely to fall in the same category eventually? Not dogging you out...but basically what you are saying is....hey....XYZ doesnt do it and gets em out....so its ok. With that being said...why do you use car keys? Cause its safer and probably costs you less money in the long-run? There is safe ways to do things and then there are other ways. Its not what you can get away with....but the best way to handle the task at hand!