DIY: Steering Wheel Removal

God-Speed · 02-03-2017, 11:25 AM

This was a great reference for installing my new steering wheel.

M1K3 · 04-24-2017, 07:08 PM

Thanks so much for the DIY, was a very easy process when done carefully with the proper tools. Just had to reset the windows to open/close properly when opening/closing the doors after reconnecting battery.

StormWhite · 01-27-2018, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future370zzz

If anyone is looking for an orange airbag clock spring connector PM me.

Here are a few tips and cautionary advice on top of what has already been mentioned for those attempting this mod.

1. An hour or two before starting, hit the two airbag T30 bolts with WD40 or liquid wrench to loosen them up. You can clean up the mess inside afterwards.

2. Use a socket ratchet to remove the airbag T30 bolts. You will likely need this for additional leverage. These bolts are tight.

3. Remove the gray clip first to give you more room to remove the orange and yellow airbag clock spring connectors (don't ask me why I know what they are called, ugh).

4. Have a small needle nose plier ready to remove the orange and yellow airbag clips.

5. There is a small hook that keeps the orange/yellow wires away from the center of the wheel. Make sure you unhook the wires to give yourself more room to unclip the orange/yellow wires.

6. Remove the orange connector and then the yellow. Furthest to the closest.

7. Be CAREFUL with the orange/yellow connectors. I broke the black clip on the yellow connector and had to open up the connector and pull the two wires out. Felt like doing surgery. If you need to do this be careful, these the ends are fragile. Had to remove and reinstall these little wires 3 to 4 times to align the wheel correctly and broke them. Had to purchase a set of the orange and yellow plugs on ebay. I have an orange one for sale.

8. After removing the steering wheel center nut, before pulling out the wheel, mark the steering wheel bolt to provide a reference for installing the new steering wheel. My OEM steering wheel center nub didn't match up to the steering wheel bolt notch on the car. Also take a photo so you can reference when re-installing. If it's not aligned properly, you need to redo the entire DIY again because you won't notice until you actually drive the car if it's just off by one small spline.

9. Remember to tuck back the orange/yellow wire harness away from the center of the wheel.

10. Lightly tug and push on the connectors to make sure they are seated properly. Don't what that airbag light to come up. you should hear a click, if not they should not be able to pull out.

11. A trick to keep the bolts on your screwdriver and out of the steering wheel. Is to insert the T30 screwdriver to your bolt and tape it so it doesn't fall back behind your steering wheel. Tape should stick to the bolt, just remove it after nut is tightened with needle nose pliers.

I hope the tips above makes your experience smoother than mine. This is a simple DIY but you can't just blow thru it because you're dealing with tight bolts that can strip, special connectors, reference points for proper alignment.

Speaking of special connectors, PM me if you need an orange airbag clock spring connector.

I shall be attempting this job soon and after perusing the thread and consulting the manual I have a couple of questions:

No 4:

Manual says to just lift up the locking tabs on the tops of the clockspring connectors of the airbag rather than remove them. It says once the tabs are lifted each clock spring connector can be removed.

No 5 & 9

Is the small hook removeable or do you have to bend it to release the airbag harnesses?

future370zzz · 01-29-2018, 11:23 AM

No. 4 - use your own judgement on how to remove it. If you have a manual, use those instructions as they are straight from the maker. Be careful with those connectors as they are special and can be hard and expensive to source. They can be hard to pull up if the right spots are not pinched. Probably meant to be like that so they don't jiggle loose.

No. 9 - loop is open at the bottom cables can just be move out of loop.

Do what makes practical sense. If it's not going smoothly, don't force it but progressive force may need to be used in some situations like any DIY install.

StormWhite · 01-29-2018, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by future370zzz

No. 4 - use your own judgement on how to remove it. If you have a manual, use those instructions as they are straight from the maker. Be careful with those connectors as they are special and can be hard and expensive to source. They can be hard to pull up if the right spots are not pinched. Probably meant to be like that so they don't jiggle loose.

No. 9 - loop is open at the bottom cables can just be move out of loop.

Do what makes practical sense. If it's not going smoothly, don't force it but progressive force may need to be used in some situations like any DIY install.

Thank you for the clarification.

The information for No. 4 comes from the Nissan service manual but I am not looking forward to tackling those connectors.

StormWhite · 02-15-2018, 12:17 PM

As an update I fitted my new steering wheel today and I was surprised to find that a 2017 base model only has one airbag connector that was indeed removable by raising the black portion of the clockspring connector with a small screwdriver.

Biggest problem was my factory wheel had a counterweight/anti vibration plate? fitted at 12 oclock on the centre hub. My replacement remodelled OEM Juke /370Z steering wheel had partial holes that were not threaded. I had to drill the holes and tap the threads.

Despite trying two different spline positions I think I will have to get the tracking done as the mark on the steering wheel is off.

vidwiz · 09-20-2017, 05:10 PM

I bought a salvage Z. Airbag was blown, seller had stripped the bolts. I tried all the suggestions in this thread to no avail. A few things I also tried unsuccessfully but not, I think, in this thread:

1. Use next size up torx, t35 security and pound in with hammer.
2. Increase friction with any of the following; valve grinding compound, rubber band, duct tape, green scrubber material from back of sponge, steel wool.

So I was at the point of drilling them out but decided to see what my local shop said. Their mechanic with 25 yrs experience got them out. He did a lot of picking at them from what I could see and got the intended bit to finally grab. Well worth the 50 bucks to keep me from screwing it up further. I was having nightmares about how to hold the drill steady and how it would interact with the small security pin in the middle of the bolt. To the guy who got it out with needlenose visegrips, you dah man, I tried several and no way could I get them in there...

1/4atatime · 06-19-2021, 09:52 AM

Thanks for the guide easiest install ever once I found a wrench big enough to give me some leverage with security bolts gosh Nissan why so much loctite!

fairladyATX · 07-07-2021, 09:40 AM

That has to be the sexiest steering wheel made. I'm afraid to ask what it costs.

Horizon · 07-07-2021, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairladyATX

That has to be the sexiest steering wheel made. I'm afraid to ask what it costs.

Well, my wheel isn’t the exact same as his, but I’ll be selling mine soon. I think this link will show you a picture of it. http://www.the370z.com/attachment.ph...1&d=1625713303

01-29-2018, 11:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
future370zzz Track Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bay Area Posts: 555 Drives: 10 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 15	No. 4 - use your own judgement on how to remove it. If you have a manual, use those instructions as they are straight from the maker. Be careful with those connectors as they are special and can be hard and expensive to source. They can be hard to pull up if the right spots are not pinched. Probably meant to be like that so they don't jiggle loose. No. 9 - loop is open at the bottom cables can just be move out of loop. Do what makes practical sense. If it's not going smoothly, don't force it but progressive force may need to be used in some situations like any DIY install. StormWhite likes this. __________________

06-19-2021, 09:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
1/4atatime Base Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: VA Posts: 179 Drives: Silver 2018 370z Rep Power: 6716	Thanks for the guide easiest install ever once I found a wrench big enough to give me some leverage with security bolts gosh Nissan why so much loctite! redondoaveb likes this. __________________ Did any of my post help you or just feeling nice?Give Rep\|Add me to your friends list\|View My Build "The real you is who you are when ain't nobody watchin" - NF

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02-03-2017, 11:25 AM	#1 (permalink)
God-Speed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Austin, Tx. Posts: 4,366 Drives: Prototype Rep Power: 2684377	This was a great reference for installing my new steering wheel.

02-15-2018, 12:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
StormWhite Base Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 225 Drives: 2017 370Z Coupe Rep Power: 74894	As an update I fitted my new steering wheel today and I was surprised to find that a 2017 base model only has one airbag connector that was indeed removable by raising the black portion of the clockspring connector with a small screwdriver. Biggest problem was my factory wheel had a counterweight/anti vibration plate? fitted at 12 oclock on the centre hub. My replacement remodelled OEM Juke /370Z steering wheel had partial holes that were not threaded. I had to drill the holes and tap the threads. Despite trying two different spline positions I think I will have to get the tracking done as the mark on the steering wheel is off.

09-20-2017, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
vidwiz Base Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: AZ Posts: 9 Drives: '14 370Z Rep Power: 8	I bought a salvage Z. Airbag was blown, seller had stripped the bolts. I tried all the suggestions in this thread to no avail. A few things I also tried unsuccessfully but not, I think, in this thread: 1. Use next size up torx, t35 security and pound in with hammer. 2. Increase friction with any of the following; valve grinding compound, rubber band, duct tape, green scrubber material from back of sponge, steel wool. So I was at the point of drilling them out but decided to see what my local shop said. Their mechanic with 25 yrs experience got them out. He did a lot of picking at them from what I could see and got the intended bit to finally grab. Well worth the 50 bucks to keep me from screwing it up further. I was having nightmares about how to hold the drill steady and how it would interact with the small security pin in the middle of the bolt. To the guy who got it out with needlenose visegrips, you dah man, I tried several and no way could I get them in there...

07-07-2021, 09:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
fairladyATX Base Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 123 Drives: 14 370z Sport M6 Rep Power: 4	That has to be the sexiest steering wheel made. I'm afraid to ask what it costs.