Thread: Is it hard to replace a steering wheel with an air bag in it?

Originally Posted by Young Angus

My 1996/97 (I still don't really know what year it is) kinda needs a new steering wheel. The middle part is great but the outside where you touch must have been sitting in the sun for a bit during it's past life because it's starting to perish and it leaves bits of itself (very small bits) on your hands after driving. The rest of the car is leather upholstery and it has woodgrain so I'm not sure if the wheel had leather on it or not (don't think so) but I kinda want to replace it with something that isn't perishing.

It is a dual airbag model. Is it an easy task to replace the wheel if I can find one with the airbag...or is it more trouble than it's worth and should I just put up with it?

You just need to remove the airbag before removing the wheel. Other than that no different to change to a standard wheel. Get wheel straight before removing and don't turn the clock spring under the wheel with the wheel off.

Originally Posted by Young Angus

My 1996/97 (I still don't really know what year it is) kinda needs a new steering wheel. The middle part is great but the outside where you touch must have been sitting in the sun for a bit during it's past life because it's starting to perish and it leaves bits of itself (very small bits) on your hands after driving. The rest of the car is leather upholstery and it has woodgrain so I'm not sure if the wheel had leather on it or not (don't think so) but I kinda want to replace it with something that isn't perishing.

It is a dual airbag model. Is it an easy task to replace the wheel if I can find one with the airbag...or is it more trouble than it's worth and should I just put up with it?

Put a steering wheel cover on it

never done a D1, but I've done a few.

As I remember the removal of the airbag was easy(Holden Frontera, and Ford Exploder).

Did a VQ Statesman too, but don't remember it being hard .. just don't remember it's setup.
Stupid car that was .. 5 yo(at the time) and the indicator stalk had committed suicide.

it's usually a plug to disconnect the electrics and then a series of easily seen and got too bolts to hold the airbag unit onto the wheel.

Like Trout said, easy way out is a cover. You may(or will) struggle to find a decently priced replacement .. maybe as cost effective to remove and get someone to recover it in some way to make it look more original too.
I know a mob out in Mitcham that do a good job(had done brother in laws old Skyline).
When I get around to getting my D2's wheel done, I'll most likely be using them myself.

AFAIR the instructions for a BMW were to disconnect the battery for 20minutes before attempting any work on the airbag.
Same goes for pre tensioners.
Regards Philip A

Originally Posted by AK83

never done a D1, but I've done a few.

As I remember the removal of the airbag was easy(Holden Frontera, and Ford Exploder).

Did a VQ Statesman too, but don't remember it being hard .. just don't remember it's setup.
Stupid car that was .. 5 yo(at the time) and the indicator stalk had committed suicide.

it's usually a plug to disconnect the electrics and then a series of easily seen and got too bolts to hold the airbag unit onto the wheel.

Like Trout said, easy way out is a cover. You may(or will) struggle to find a decently priced replacement .. maybe as cost effective to remove and get someone to recover it in some way to make it look more original too.
I know a mob out in Mitcham that do a good job(had done brother in laws old Skyline).
When I get around to getting my D2's wheel done, I'll most likely be using them myself.

Sounds like a good idea! Might have to get the name of that place off you, the steering wheel is fine it's just the outside that needs attention...and I don't think I could do a cover, I had one once on an old Falcon and absolutely hated it haha I'd rather put up with the bits of rubber on my hands after a drive

Originally Posted by Young Angus

Sounds like a good idea! Might have to get the name of that place off you, the steering wheel is fine it's just the outside that needs attention...and I don't think I could do a cover, I had one once on an old Falcon and absolutely hated it haha I'd rather put up with the bits of rubber on my hands after a drive

Get a good lace on leather cover, They are nice and thin so it doesn't feel any different to a bare wheel in your hands.

Originally Posted by Young Angus

Sounds like a good idea! Might have to get the name of that place off you, the steering wheel is fine it's just the outside that needs attention...and I don't think I could do a cover, I had one once on an old Falcon and absolutely hated it haha I'd rather put up with the bits of rubber on my hands after a drive

Have put a good lace up leather cover on my sons D2 and it is great. I am not usually a fan of covers, but this works well. Let it warm in the sun, before fitting, apply and tighten, leave a week or tow and then re tension.

Y.A, have you got a copy of RAVE for Disco 1 , it has a section on how to remove steering wheel and warnings, in the steering section also note you have to be careful with rotary coupler.