Leather Steering Wheel Airbag Cover

[Poursha]

I'm considering getting the leather steering wheel airbag cover for my '04 Carrera. Is this something I can install myself? If so, does anybody have instructions? TIA.

Edited January 15, 2004 by Poursha

[Tool Pants]

Takes me about 4 minutes. And I have been timed and filmed since it is on one of the DVDs.

We have 2 local Boxster owners (Ray and Aileen) with the 4 spoke wheel. They have bought the 3 spoke steering wheel on ebay but need the black vinyl air bag if they have not bought it already. Let me know if you do it and I will put you in touch with them if they are still in the market.

[Poursha]

Do you have any instructions available?

[Tool Pants]

Yes. Stop once the air bag is out. :lol:

[Poursha]

Yes.  Stop once the air bag is out. :lol:

Jeff, that's about how far I got--I guess I should have stopped taking things apart sooner! :D

Seriously--anybody have instructions?

[dwaynemosley]

Yes.  Stop once the air bag is out. :lol:

Jeff, that's about how far I got--I guess I should have stopped taking things apart sooner! :D

Seriously--anybody have instructions?

I just did the exact thing you're wanting to. I purchased a leather covered airbag and removed a vinyl covered airbag. It was fairly easy. Loren told me to be sure that the key was not in the switch. I turned the steering wheel 90 degrees so one screw was on the top and one on the bottom. This gave me the most room to work. I put a towel in front of the gauges and column area to insure against a scratch.

It is torqued down pretty tight. It scared me at first because the horn started blowing as I was trying to remove the screw, so I unhooked the battery. I'm not sure if the twisting effect of the assembly made the horn contacts "make" or what. Whatever it was, I felt better without the battery being hooked up anyway. Then it was just a matter of pushing pretty hard to break the screw loose. When it does, you know it because of the sound.

I can't remember if I used a Torx or Allen wrench, but it is a common size. I was careful to back the screws out a little on each one until I got it loose. I actually put some tape over the bag onto the steering wheel to be sure it didn't tumble out as it loosened. The wire to the airbag easily prys up and off with a small screwdriver.

Installation is the reverse process. Hope this helps.

Dwayne

[Tool Pants]

I have posted the instructions here with a picture, I think in the general 996 section.

The air bag torx (T30) screws are small but they have loctite on the threads so it takes a bit of effort to break the bond. I bought the special long torx bit the dealers use as I was removing so many wheels. It fits on the end of my ratchet wrench so I can get the screws out fast.