Steering wheel woes

[HIM]

My factory steering wheel is shot. The varnish on it is completely wore off so I opted to buy a new steering wheel. I wanted to do a billet wheel but I have limited funding and my parents (im only 19 and still in school) were against it plus I like having that airbag so I bought a steering wheel off of ebay. Its just a factory replacement and is brand new practically. My question is..... How hard is it to install this myself? I have a haynes and a shilton guide and it doesnt seem to bad but I definately dont wanna mess anything up so I was wondering if yall had any ideas.

[S-DimeIn]

should have gone billet it look so cool. i replaced mine not to bad. i used some guessing and got it right. good luck.

[T Man]

Follow the procedures to a T if you are going to do it yourself when you remove the airbag. Otherwise you stand a chance of setting it off, and they arent cheep to replace. I'd say let a shop who knows what they are doing take care of it, that way if they set off the bag, they are responsible for it's replacement, not you.

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

I'm with TMan. Messing with airbags is not something you want to do if you're not experienced with them. There is an explosive charge in there that triggers the airbag, you don't want that to go off if you improperly try to disarm it.

[Sparky2263]

The Inflatable Restraint Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM) maintains a reserve energy supply. The reserve energy supply provides deployment power for the air bags. Deployment power is available for as much as 10 minutes after disconnecting the vehicle power by any of the following methods:


You turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
You remove the fuse that provides power to the SDM.
You disconnect the vehicle battery from the vehicle electrical system.
Disabling the SIR system prevents deploying of the air bags from the reserve energy supply



Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle's wheels are pointing straight ahead.
Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
Remove the key from the ignition switch.
Important: With the SIR Fuse removed and the ignition switch in the ON position, The AIR BAG warning lamp illuminates. This is normal operation, and does not indicate an SIR system malfunction.



Remove the SIR Fuse from the Instrument Panel (IP) fuse block.
Remove the left sound insulator, if equipped.
Remove the knee bolster.
Disconnect the driver yellow 2-way connector located at the base of the steering column.
Open the IP compartment door, lift stop and allow door to fully open.
Remove the Connector Position Assurance (CPA) from the passenger yellow 2-way connector located behind the glove box.
Disconnect the passenger yellow 2-way connector located behind the glove box.

[Sparky2263]

Removal Procedure

Caution: Refer to SIR System Caution in Cautions and Notices.



Disable the SIR system. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position in order to unlock the steering wheel.
Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees from the straight-ahead position in order to gain access to the access holes behind the steering wheel.
Insert a screwdriver into each access hole and push the leaf spring to release the pin that retains the inflator module.
Turn the steering wheel 180 degrees in order to gain access to the remaining access holes.
Insert a screwdriver into each access holes and push the leaf spring to release the pin that retains the inflator module.
Tilt the top of the inflator module rearward to gain access to the SIR wiring.
Disconnect the SIR lead wire from the clip on the inflator module.
Disconnect the SIR lead wire from the clip on the steering wheel.
Disconnect the connector position assurance (CPA) retainer.
Disconnect the electrical connector. Caution: Refer to Inflator Module Handling Caution In Cautions and Notices.
Remove the inflator module from the vehicle.
Installation Procedure

Caution: Refer to Inflator Module Handling Caution in Cautions and Notices.

Connect the SIR electrical connector.
Connect the CPA retainer to the SIR connector.
Install the SIR lead wire to the clip on the steering wheel.
Install the SIR lead wire to the clip on the inflator module. Important: Ensure that the SIR wires do not get pinched during installation of the inflator module.
Press the inflator module into the steering wheel firmly enough that the module engages and latches the notched pins in the leaf springs.
Rotate the steering wheel back into the straight position.
Enable the SIR system.
(Courtesy Alldata)

[HIM]

Sweet.... Im still a lil leary about doing it myself so I think Im gunna have it installed. One of my dads friend does collision repair stuff and he owes us a favor or to so I see if hell do it for me.

[Maximus]

DON'T DO IT YOURSELF!!Just looking out for you bro.I get the feeling you are not experienced in the auto repair area and you might hurt yourself bad.And it could end up costing you a **** load more to replace the air bag if it does blow.

[mrmidnight]

if it were me and I was putting in a new steering wheel, which I may do soon, I would just hit the air bag as hard as i can with a ball peen hammer.

[Sparky2263]

if it were me and I was putting in a new steering wheel, which I may do soon, I would just hit the air bag as hard as i can with a ball peen hammer.

This is a joke, only a joke, and a bad one at that.

Body shops and Salvage yards pay good money for unexploded air bags. Or, if you wanna have some fun, hook some speaker wire to it, run it about 30 feet away and hook it to a 12v battery. Air bag pointed face down. Looks cool as the bag is fluttering behind it as it goes up. Ours went about 30 feet up. Sounds like a 20 ga. shotgun going off.

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

One of the auto instructors up at my college puts a charge under an empty 2-liter bottle. That thing goes like a rocket :D

[T Man]

We set them off in my autobody class last year. They are incredible when they go off.

[mrmidnight]

This is a joke, only a joke, and a bad one at that.

Body shops and Salvage yards pay good money for unexploded air bags. Or, if you wanna have some fun, hook some speaker wire to it, run it about 30 feet away and hook it to a 12v battery. Air bag pointed face down. Looks cool as the bag is fluttering behind it as it goes up. Ours went about 30 feet up. Sounds like a 20 ga. shotgun going off.


They pay money for them??? Shoot I'll call around and if I find one with a good price I'll just take the air bags out of the truck and sell em, I'll find something to put in the spots, I always do don't I sparky???

[Sparky2263]

Most states it is illegal. But I hear there is a good cash trade going in un-exploded air bags.

:D

[mrmidnight]

more than likely illegal in Cali, I'll research it