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UPDATE: This was overdone and more things are listed here than are needed lol - please skip from STEP 1 to STEP 5 for just the steering wheel removal. The rest is purely excess and not needed because someone (myself) got a little overly enthusiastic about removing "things".
This is going to document the removal and replacement of my 2011 steering wheel with a 2012+ spec one. It is larger in diameter, larger grip area, better finger grips behind (especially at the 3 and 9 positions). I did this because after feeling one, I wanted it - that is all.
Required tools:
Philips head
A multitude of hex sizes (at least 4) so bring a kit.
T30 Star bit - this seems to be a standard for airbags?
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Optional:
Foam double sided tape - just in case the tape on yours doesn't stick back (mine did just fine)
Beer (not much needed - quick job)
Initial shot:
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New wheel design:
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Step 1 - Disconnect the battery - you are playing with the airbag and do not need it deploying.
[OPTIONAL] Step 2 - Removing the knee bolster
Remove the 2 hex bolts that are inside each of the slits and then gently pull the front down and away from the amazingly strong Velcro holding it up.
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[OPTIONAL] Step 3 - Remove the 2 screws and 1 hex holding the steering column shroud together.
2 screws:
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1 hex - this was a pain - make sure to hold the plastic fastener with your finger to keep it from spinning while removing the screw:
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[OPTIONAL] Step 4 - poke the plastic clips holding the shroud together - the top will still be attached - the bottom should simply fall down - it has 2 foam pieces inside so make sure they stay put.
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Intermission - 2 naked shots of the column - pretty cool
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Step 5 - use the T30 Star bit to remove the 2 screws holding the airbag in place. (see picture above)
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Step 6 - pull the airbag out slowly and disconnect it from the wheel:
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Step 7 - remove the 6 hex bolts holding the wheel on and disconnect the tech package cruise controls if you have them:
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Step 8 - remove the rear plastic fascia by removing the 4 Phillips screws (see picture above) and then disconnect the wiring harness from the 2 switches.
Step 9 - remove the 4 Phillips screws from the 2 switches:
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Step 10 - remove the 3 pressure fasteners holding the plastic cover to the front of the wheel:
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Step 11 - SLOWLY pry the front plastic piece off the wheel - it is held in these locations by sticky double sided foam tape - I reused it on the next wheel because it was still very sticky:
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Step 12 - the switches should now fall out of the steering wheel skeleton and you are completely dissembled.
Final removal picture - this made me want to get a removable steering wheel so if I felt like it - race mode when getting out lol.
![]()
Just go in reverse to put it back together.
1 - put switches in and screw them into place
2 - replace plastic front piece (new foam tape if desired) using 3 rear fasteners
3 - hook up the switch wires
4 - 4 screws into rear plastic piece
5 - 6 hex nuts and cruise control switch clip
6 - air bag clip and 2 screws to attach it - (Done unless you are like me and removed more than you needed to...)
[OPTIONAL] 7 - snap the steering column shroud back together (be careful at the back - to get it perfectly lined up took longer than expected)
[OPTIONAL] 8 - 3 screws to attach the shroud
[OPTIONAL] 9 - 2 screws to attach the knee bolster - then press into the Velcro.
10 - reconnect the battery
One last hint - once you remove the battery, don't close the trunk unless you want to have to use the manual method of reopening the hatch.
--P
Any questions?
This is going to document the removal and replacement of my 2011 steering wheel with a 2012+ spec one. It is larger in diameter, larger grip area, better finger grips behind (especially at the 3 and 9 positions). I did this because after feeling one, I wanted it - that is all.
Required tools:
Philips head
A multitude of hex sizes (at least 4) so bring a kit.
T30 Star bit - this seems to be a standard for airbags?
Optional:
Foam double sided tape - just in case the tape on yours doesn't stick back (mine did just fine)
Beer (not much needed - quick job)
Initial shot:
New wheel design:
Step 1 - Disconnect the battery - you are playing with the airbag and do not need it deploying.
[OPTIONAL] Step 2 - Removing the knee bolster
Remove the 2 hex bolts that are inside each of the slits and then gently pull the front down and away from the amazingly strong Velcro holding it up.
[OPTIONAL] Step 3 - Remove the 2 screws and 1 hex holding the steering column shroud together.
2 screws:
1 hex - this was a pain - make sure to hold the plastic fastener with your finger to keep it from spinning while removing the screw:
[OPTIONAL] Step 4 - poke the plastic clips holding the shroud together - the top will still be attached - the bottom should simply fall down - it has 2 foam pieces inside so make sure they stay put.
Intermission - 2 naked shots of the column - pretty cool
Step 5 - use the T30 Star bit to remove the 2 screws holding the airbag in place. (see picture above)
Step 6 - pull the airbag out slowly and disconnect it from the wheel:
Step 7 - remove the 6 hex bolts holding the wheel on and disconnect the tech package cruise controls if you have them:
Step 8 - remove the rear plastic fascia by removing the 4 Phillips screws (see picture above) and then disconnect the wiring harness from the 2 switches.
Step 9 - remove the 4 Phillips screws from the 2 switches:
Step 10 - remove the 3 pressure fasteners holding the plastic cover to the front of the wheel:
Step 11 - SLOWLY pry the front plastic piece off the wheel - it is held in these locations by sticky double sided foam tape - I reused it on the next wheel because it was still very sticky:
Step 12 - the switches should now fall out of the steering wheel skeleton and you are completely dissembled.
Final removal picture - this made me want to get a removable steering wheel so if I felt like it - race mode when getting out lol.
Just go in reverse to put it back together.
1 - put switches in and screw them into place
2 - replace plastic front piece (new foam tape if desired) using 3 rear fasteners
3 - hook up the switch wires
4 - 4 screws into rear plastic piece
5 - 6 hex nuts and cruise control switch clip
6 - air bag clip and 2 screws to attach it - (Done unless you are like me and removed more than you needed to...)
[OPTIONAL] 7 - snap the steering column shroud back together (be careful at the back - to get it perfectly lined up took longer than expected)
[OPTIONAL] 8 - 3 screws to attach the shroud
[OPTIONAL] 9 - 2 screws to attach the knee bolster - then press into the Velcro.
10 - reconnect the battery
One last hint - once you remove the battery, don't close the trunk unless you want to have to use the manual method of reopening the hatch.
--P
Any questions?
