changing steering wheel

[gneypiks]

changing the stocker to cf n need advise whether it is safe taking out the airbag/wheel without disconnecting the battery.,dread having the need to reset all functions.

[LVDell]

unless you want the potential for that airbag to explode in your face! You need to disconnect the battery to change out the steering wheel to avoid this mishap.

[Tool Pants]

As long as the key is out of the ignition you can remove and replace an air bag without disconnecting the battery. But if you turn the key on with the air bag disconnected then you will have an air bag light. Most people need to turn the key on so they can rotate the wheel to get to the 2 screws behind the wheel for the air bag.

On the internet I tell people to disconnect the battery because I am not there to watch. Better safe than sorry. The only thing to reset after you hook up the battery is the radio code and the windows.

[jinijazz]

OK here I'm confused.

I prefer to disconnect battery, but can I still rotate the wheel with battery disconnected?

Or....remove the screws first, and disconnect the battery?

Edited November 24, 2004 by jinijazz

[gneypiks]

thank you all for the comments.

[Tool Pants]

Of course you can rotate the steering wheel with the battery disconnected. But the key has to be turned to the first position.

The reason most people need to have the key on to rotate the steering wheel is that they use a common T30 torx screw driver type tool to remove the air bag screws. A torx screwdriver is very long and will hit the dash unless you rotate the wheel so that the screw you want to remove is at the bottom. Then you rotate the wheel 180 degrees so that the other screw is at the bottom. To rotate the wheel the key needs to be in the on position. If you disconnect the air bag with the battery connected and the key on you will get an air bag light.

I have a T30 bit about 2 1/2" that goes on the end of my ratchet so I do not need to have the key on to rotate the wheel.. Compare it with the more common torx screwdriver on the left and you will understand why I said it will hit the dash unless you rotate the wheel so that the screw is at the bottom.

It takes 10 seconds to disconnect the battery negative cable. Disconnect the battery then remove the air bag. Just do it that way and you will have no worry.

[PTEC]

It takes 10 seconds to disconnect the battery negative cable.  Disconnect the battery then remove the air bag.  Just do it that way and you will have no worry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Quoted for emphasis.

Edited November 27, 2004 by PTEC