for anyone thats done this to modify or replace their steering wheel, have you any pointers for me?

trying to stitch on a steering wheel cover...

 

Remove air bag, Disconnect electrical, Remove nut, yank on wheel

 

Unplug your battery first

 

Yeah so i think i need to unplug battery then wait what half hour, then how do i remove the bag?

 

Or undo batt and hold brake pedal

 

Okay. so i'm sorry for perhaps not really looking into this yet but does the airbad like simply unbolt from the bottom of the wheel or something? and is the main bolt that holds the wheel in special at all like some are?

 

buy JP's hub and get racecar wheel

 

Good idea but no thanks haha

 

so still wondering how the bag gets removed and if i need a special tool for removing the main wheel bolt

 

bump..

 

Both of these are the correct answer adam.

 

i just need to know if i need some sort of specific tool to remove the nut that holds the wheel on

 

Should just be a normal steering wheel puller and you can rent those from most every auto parts store.

 

rice, make a how-to when you do this lol ... i wana wrap my wheel so it would be a great help lmao

 

Yeah theres like a small hole on either side of the steering wheel and i cant see whats inside them. Don't really wanna poke around to find an airbag release lol. I need help!

 

Upon further inspection i turned the wheel some and found these holes in the back between the wheel andgauge bezel thing

Idk what they are, if those clips need to be pushed or if there are star bits i gotta get to?

 

Holy creeeeeper pic lmao fukin scared me lmao

 

What did, my ugly trollface?

 

I'm assuming the 06's are the same way, but in old 07 you have to stick something in there to "pry" or move a metal bar. You kind of just have to feel around, but it's a thing metal bar, maybe the size of two toothpicks together and you just "push", "pry" or whatever you want to call it, away.

You'll know when you get it because the side you did it on, the airbag will pop out on that side. Just do the same to the other side, if you can, do both at the same time.

 

Yeah they look kinda like metal clips you need to push apart maybe?

 

Well i may try this next time it rains and the cars down for a few days, stay tuned!

 

According to rains_crusader:

Start out by disconnecting your negative battery terminal. Leave the car alone for about 10 minutes. This allows the residual energy to discharge from your cars electrical systems.

There are two pins holding the air bag to the horn mounts. You need to simply slide in a narrow flat blade screw driver straight into those holes and press against those pins to release the bag. Do one side then hold the airbag on that side while you do the other one. Once you have the bag released, you will see two connectors on the back of the airbag. Each connector has yellow locks and two release tabs. You will need to slide up the locks then use a pair of needle nose pliers to grip the connector tabs. Once that's done, pull gently up on the connector with the pliers. The connector should come out fairly easily. Be gentle with the wires/connectors and bag. Once you have the bag wires released, set the bag gently outside the car on the ground.

You don't need a any special tools to remove the wheel itself. First use a small screwdriver or pick to release the steering wheel harness connector from the clockspring. Be gentle! I use a large socket on the steering wheel nut. I think it's 21 or 22mm size. Use your knees to hold the wheel while you turn the nut off. Back the nut off but leave it attached by a few threads. Grip the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 positions and pull side to side and back towards you. It will come off and the nut will hold the steering wheel from smacking you in the face . Be very careful removing the wires from the clock spring connectors. The clockspring is not as fragile as glass but you don't want to be Rough with it either. Also, when the wheel is off, make sure you don't turn the clock spring at all. It needs to stay in proper alignment. Again, this isn't too difficult, just be aware. To reinstall the wheel align the steering wheel alignment marks. There is an arrow on the steering wheel itself and one on the steering wheel shaft. Line them up and push the wheel into the splines of the shaft. Tighten the nut, reattach the air bag connectors and steering wheel harness connector , align the bag on the steering wheel and press it in until it clicks into place. Reattach your battery.

 

Are you going to upgrade to the 07+ wheel?

 

If you upgrade to an 07+ wheel, pick up an HHR SS air bag. It has the sweet SS inlay.

 

I have to take off my wheel to stitch on a redlinegoods suede cover