How to Take Off a Steering Wheel?

The most common change people do after getting their new car is changing its steering wheel. Changing the steering wheel can enhance your driving capabilities, as every person varies their suitable steering wheel. You can replace your car steering wheel with your custom steering wheel for better handling, handy diameter & making driving more enhanced & precise.

However, it is not recommended as you will lose many features of your original steering wheel, just like volume control, cruise control & the most essential & risky thing - Airbag.

Removing a steering wheel with an airbag is a bit risky because your Airbag will not work after replacing the steering wheel.

What Tools Do I Need to Remove a Steering Wheel?

More recommended is that you take your car to a trustable mechanic, but if you want to learn a new skill or do it yourself, you should go for that. To change the steering wheel, there is a simple 5-step procedure you can follow:

What Tools Do I Need to Remove a Steering Wheel?

These are the tools that are used for removing a steering wheel:

1. A ratchet and a primary socket set with some ½ inch drive sockets
2. Screwdrivers
3. Steering wheel puller
4. A spanner set
5. Protective gloves
6. Protective eyewear

How To Remove a Steering Wheel Without Puller?

Taking off a steering wheel from a vehicle is not a complicated task if you have all tools, mainly the puller. However, taking off the steering wheel without a puller is a bit of a technical task. You have to be more creative with standard tools available at home without needing a steering wheel puller.

1. Find the Right Steering Wheel:

There is no one type of steering wheel that fits every vehicle. You should measure the size, dimension & specification of the steering column & central bolt. Ensure that the aftermarket steering wheel you are buying will be the best fit for your car. You can ask any trustable mechanic or salesperson, they know all about that. It would be unreliable if you buy a steering wheel & it doesn't fit your car.

Moreover, find a steering wheel in smaller dimensions because they will be more sporty, handy and help you in more precise driving & handling.

2. Remove the negative battery cable.

Removing the battery cable from the bonnet is the first step & essential safety measure. It will keep you safe from any electrical short circuit & deactivate the airbag while changing the steering wheel.

3. Remove airbag

Remove the airbag from the middle of the steering wheel after a minimum of 20 mins of disconnecting the battery to deactivate; otherwise, the airbag will pop out.

Remove the airbag carefully so that it will be reusable and place it face upside. Skip this step if your car doesn't have an Airbag.

4. (A) Take off the Mounting Bolts.

Find the mounting bolts or not/central steering bolt of the steering wheel. If your steering wheel is attached using a mounting bolt, there is no need for a steering wheel puller. Aim the steering wheel at 90 angles and start loosening the steering bolt counterclockwise.

Many cars use a steering lock for safety purposes that have to be unlocked to remove, the steering bolt unscrews flawlessly. You can use air impact to ensure that the steering wheel is unlocked; otherwise, use a socket or brass to unbolt the steering bolt. If there is no mounting bolt, you can't take off the steering wheel without a puller.

4. (B) Take off the threaded hole (using a puller)

Skip this step 4(B) if your steering wheel has a mounting bolt instead of thread holes. Find the two threaded holes from the steering wheel in the center, now choose two bolts from the steering wheel puller kit - fits the size of the thread holes. Once the bolts have been removed from the steering wheel, tighten the nut of the steering wheel puller in the center of the steering shaft. As you tighten the puller, the steering wheel will start pulling off its spline, so you can take off the steering wheel. Skip steps 4(A) & 5 if you are using a puller

5. Pull Out The Steering Wheel

When the bolt is unscrewed, it's time to pull out the steering wheel. Pulling out the steering wheel is the most hectic process. You have to ensure you didn't cut any wire or thread accidentally.

The method is simple; you have to hold the steering wheel with both hands tightly & pull out the steering wheel while turning & rotating it a little to make it come out of the shaft.

6. Check the Wiring and Other Things.

Check the wires' alignment chart, which will be helpful during reinstallation. If there is no alignment indicator mark or chart there, you have to mark it on your own using any marker or whitener.

Some excess shafts have flat points that act as markers. After marking & disconnecting all the wires, connectors & terminals, put them out of the access hole.

7. Center Lug Nut

After all wires & terminals are disconnected, you will see the central lug nut that connects the steering wheel to the vehicle. You can remove the central lug nut with the standard tools, but in some cases, you will need a particular set of tools for that car because some cars have different patterns of the central lug nut.

Now, your steering wheel is entirely removed & you can replace the new steering wheel.

8. Clock Spring Unit

A clock spring unit rotates with the steering wheel handles the wiring in the steering wheel system. To avoid damage, the wheel must be attached to the unit before rotating it.

9. Keep all parts lubricated

The central lug nut area will be a little oily because it will work smoothly to function correctly. So if you see it a little dry, lubricate it more. If you see any dust or dirt there, clean the central lug & surrounding area (check this article on wbteck explaining it in details) and lubricate it again.

Replace the steering wheel

When the steering wheel is ready after repair to install, navigate through the wheel access holes to connect to the outgoing wiring and connectors.

If the steering wheel is not repairable, you should go for a new steering wheel, as discussed in the first step.

1. You can replace the steering wheel by following these steps inversely:
2. Pass the wires, terminals, and connectors through the steering wheel's access hole to connect them.
3. Ensure that you align the steering wheel on the indicated mark & push the steering wheel on the wheel shaft.
4. Ensure twice that the steering wheel is aligned perfectly; otherwise, it will have some bias.
5. The center part of the new steering wheel should be thoroughly lubricated after it is installed to ensure smooth operation.
6. Apply Loctite blue on the mounting bolt so that it is firmly placed in its position. Insert the mounting bolt by hand to prevent cross-threading.
7. Tighten the bolt using an air impact gun with the manufacturer's recommended force, typically 50 to 60 foot-pounds.
8. Recheck all the tasks, alignment, wires & mounting bolts before placing the cover.

Conclusion

Driving is not possible without a steering wheel. It also contains some safety features like Airbag & Wheel alignment, so it is recommended not to replace the steering wheel with an airbag on your own on the first attempt.

Instead, you want to learn some skills & technical knowledge, then do this first on a demo car. Taking off the steering wheel of modern cars is not so technical - you can take off the steering wheel of a car having a mounting bolt without a puller.

If the steering wheel doesn't have any mounting bolts instead of screw holes, you must use a steering wheel puller.

Always visit a mechanic to replace the steering wheel of a vehicle having an airbag. Everyone should know basic needs & daily life problems, but always consult a mechanic expert while making any changes to a vehicle.

The above article is provided as a guide, but we recommend checking your vehicle with an expert mechanic & don't try to do this experiment on your car by yourself; it can risk your life. This guide will help you in a better driving experience & avoid any upcoming risks.