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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: beemerdevil on 03 August 2010, 19:20:09

Title: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: beemerdevil on 03 August 2010, 19:20:09
Hi guys
What is the correct/safe way to remove steering wheel? (airbag?) and also, is the wheel on splines or is it a 'hex' shape shaft? TIA  :y :y
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Andy B on 03 August 2010, 19:26:03
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Hi guys
What is the correct/safe way to remove steering wheel? (airbag?) and also, is the wheel on splines or is it a 'hex' shape shaft? TIA  :y :y

Disconnect the battery, you've got 15 secs from turning theignition off & taking the earth lead from the battery or the alarm will sound.
Go & have a drink/smoke/walk round the block  ;)
Remove the two Torx head screws from behind the wheel & remove air bag. Unplug it from the airbag, NOT the wheel.
The wheel is held by a tapered spline. Slacken but don't completely remove the lock nut from the centre of the wheel. If you're lucky, the wheel will come off with a 'judicious' clout from behind using your palms ..... this is why you leave the nut on to preserve your smile  ;)  ;)  ;). If you're not lucky, you'll need a specific steering wheel puller.  :y like this one ...... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laser-GM-Vauxhall-Steering-Wheel-Puller-/160463335121?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item255c5c2ed1
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Hannah Judes Dad on 03 August 2010, 19:28:08
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Hi guys
What is the correct/safe way to remove steering wheel? (airbag?) and also, is the wheel on splines or is it a 'hex' shape shaft? TIA  :y :y

Disconnect the battery, you've got 15 secs from turning theignition off & taking the earth lead from the battery or the alarm will sound.
Go & have a drink/smoke/walk round the block  ;)
Remove the two Torx head screws from behind the wheel & remove air bag. Unplug it from the airbag, NOT the wheel.
The wheel is held by a tapered spline. Slacken but don't completely remove the lock nut from the centre of the wheel. If you're lucky, the wheel will come off with a 'judicious' clout from behind using your palms ..... this is why you leave the nut on to preserve your smile  ;)  ;)  ;). If you're not lucky, you'll need a specific steering wheel puller.  :y like this one ...... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laser-GM-Vauxhall-Steering-Wheel-Puller-/160463335121?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item255c5c2ed1

Or be careful with a hammer !
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Andy B on 03 August 2010, 19:30:00
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....
Or be careful with a hammer !

but the bit you need to hit is padded  :-/  ;)
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Hannah Judes Dad on 03 August 2010, 19:34:24
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Quote
....
Or be careful with a hammer !

but the bit you need to hit is padded  :-/  ;)

My head or the back of the steering wheel?
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Andy B on 03 August 2010, 19:37:41
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Quote
Quote
....
Or be careful with a hammer !

but the bit you need to hit is padded  :-/  ;)

My head or the back of the steering wheel?

 ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: beemerdevil on 03 August 2010, 19:55:44
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Quote
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Hi guys
What is the correct/safe way to remove steering wheel? (airbag?) and also, is the wheel on splines or is it a 'hex' shape shaft? TIA  :y :y

Disconnect the battery, you've got 15 secs from turning theignition off & taking the earth lead from the battery or the alarm will sound.Go & have a drink/smoke/walk round the block  ;)
Remove the two Torx head screws from behind the wheel & remove air bag. Unplug it from the airbag, NOT the wheel.
The wheel is held by a tapered spline. Slacken but don't completely remove the lock nut from the centre of the wheel. If you're lucky, the wheel will come off with a 'judicious' clout from behind using your palms ..... this is why you leave the nut on to preserve your smile  ;)  ;)  ;). If you're not luckyy like this one ...... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laser-GM-Vauxhall-Steering-Wheel-Puller-/160463335121?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item255c5c2ed1

Or be careful with a hammer !
...but surely the ignition will already be off?? or am i missing something?
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 03 August 2010, 23:12:26
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...but surely the ignition will already be off?? or am i missing something?

Airbag ECU is permanently supplied from the battery and also stores charge for some time after disconnection. :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: beemerdevil on 04 August 2010, 12:04:12
cheers Kevin....but what I meant was, if I have 15 secs. from switching off ignition to disconnecting battery,  do I slacken off battery lead(s), with engine running, switch off then run round and take off battery leads ??? otherwise alarm will sound?? :-[ am i getting wrong end of stick?? also, how long do i leave it before removing a/bag??  TIA  :y
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Andy B on 04 August 2010, 12:07:26
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cheers Kevin....but what I meant was, if I have 15 secs. from switching off ignition to disconnecting battery,  do I slacken off battery lead(s), with engine running, switch off then run round and take off battery leads ??? otherwise alarm will sound?? :-[ am i getting wrong end of stick?? also,  ....

Almost  ;). Disconnect within 15 secs of ignition being turned off. Don't run the engine with a slckened earth connection.  :y
I can't say for airbag, some say 10 mins others say and hour or so. No harm in leaving longer.  :y
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: beemerdevil on 04 August 2010, 16:58:22
but I wont have the ignition switched on will I?! - open the bonnet, disconnect battery.  Or do I; loosen battery conns; turn on ignition; turn OFF ignition; run round and take off battery conns.  Yes ?? - sorry guys, but i dont see why I would have the ignition on. run it past me............lol  : ::) ::)
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Andy B on 04 August 2010, 17:01:12
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...
 Or do I; loosen battery conns; turn on ignition; turn OFF ignition; run round and take off battery conns.  Yes ?? - ......

Correct!  :y
You've turned the ignition cos that's the sequence.  ;) If you don't disconnect the battery within 15 secs of turning it off then the alarm will sound. .
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Bose Addict on 06 August 2010, 17:00:08
Wouldn't removing the airbag fuse be easier than battery disconnection?  Or it is still dangerous?
(btw RAC man CHANGED my battery with engine running.  Headlamps were on to 'absorb any surges' he said.  I never had any problems subsequently but  I  wouldn't do it myself!)   :o
Title: Re: Steering wheel removal?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 06 August 2010, 17:35:20
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Wouldn't removing the airbag fuse be easier than battery disconnection?  Or it is still dangerous?
(btw RAC man CHANGED my battery with engine running.  Headlamps were on to 'absorb any surges' he said.  I never had any problems subsequently but  I  wouldn't do it myself!)   :o

Did he have spurs on his boots? ::)

Kevin