Many novice car enthusiasts are faced with the question: how to remove wheel car. On various brands and models of cars, this procedure occurs with a slight difference, but in most cases, the principle of the applied actions is the same. In most cases, when a breakdown is associated with this car part, you cannot do without completely dismantling the steering wheel. To do this, it is not at all necessary to visit the nearest service station, because, subject to the rules, many motorists cope with this task on their own.
This article will give step-by-step instruction dismantling the steering wheel on the following car brands: VAZ, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen.
At first glance, this action may seem simple, however, before you start removing the steering wheel on a vehicle, you need to prepare for this procedure, as well as follow all the instructions below.
General preparation for the process of dismantling the steering wheel
As a rule, no one removes a car part just for the sake of idle curiosity. People have a specific goal - for example, to change the steering wheel in a car. Therefore, it is worth starting with the search for a new structural element so that it will worthily take the place of its predecessor.
Choosing a new steering wheel should not save too much. You need to take a factory product that is recommended by the car manufacturer. Especially if the steering wheel has a variety of control buttons for a whole set of options vehicle.
It should be understood that an incorrect and illiterately selected part can not only work poorly, but also easily spoil the internal electronics.
Before proceeding with dismantling, you need to do the following:
Purchase a new steering wheel (taking into account the tips above).
Read the vehicle manufacturer's manual.
Prepare several types of Phillips and flathead screwdrivers.
Take a socket wrench.
Prepare a spacer for installation.
And now let's see the procedure for performing the procedure for different popular car brands.
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We remove the steering wheel on a VAZ car
Removing the steering wheel on a car of the Volzhsky car manufacturing plant is not at all difficult and is given below detailed instructions, how to do it.
The first step is to open the power supply circuit in the car, for this you need to throw off the wire from the negative terminal of the battery.
The position of the steering wheel must correspond to the wheels set straight.
The next step you need to do is remove the button cover sound signal.
The horn button is held by two bolts, they need to be unscrewed and removed.
Next, you need to loosen the nut on the shaft. Do not under any circumstances unscrew it completely. The steering wheel is quite tightly fixed on the splines, so when removing it from there, you can get damaged. An incompletely loosened nut will help prevent an injury hazard.
Now is the time to unscrew the shaft nut all the way.
That's all, the steering wheel of any VAZ model is removed. To install, you need to do all the above steps in reverse order.
Removing the steering wheel of BMW cars
The first two points of dismantling steering wheel are identical for all car brands.That is, it is necessary to open the power supply and align the position of the steering wheel, subsequently, the direction of the chassis may change.
Next, you need a screwdriver 10-15 centimeters long. It must be inserted into the hole on the back of the steering wheel. This action is taken to remove the airbag clips. From the front of the steering wheel, do the same.
The next step is to disconnect the airbag connectors. This must be done with the utmost care as they are very fragile.
In order not to only successfully dismantle the steering wheel, but also put it back, it is worth noting its location relative to the shaft.
The steering wheel is bolted and must be unscrewed.
BMW steering wheel is much more difficult to remove than on domestic car... Because it has a huge number of control buttons.
We remove the steering wheel on a Mercedes car
To remove the Mercedes steering wheel, we need the following tools:
Hexagon for ten.
Hex extension.
Long thin Torx at 27.
The process of dismantling this car part looks like this
Again, all work is preceded by disconnecting the terminals battery.
First of all, with the help of a torx, unscrew the two screws located in the recesses in the front and rear of the steering column. They keep the airbag ... You do not need to try to unscrew the screws to the end, this is not provided for by the design, they are captive.
Disconnect the airbag connector. It is important that the ignition is turned off and does not need to be turned on until the connector is in place. Otherwise, an error will appear in the "brains" that cannot be reset to zero. on-board computer... We carefully put the pillow to the side, if you throw it, it will definitely work.
The next step is to disconnect the horn buttons, as a rule, there are two of them on each side of the steering wheel.
Using a hexagon and an amplifier, unscrew the nut that secures the wheel to the column. But before you start unscrewing it, you need to unscrew the wheels to the left until they stop. When removing the steering wheel, push the wiring through the hole.
To install everything in its place, you need to do the same steps in reverse order.There are two details not to be missed.
First, during installation, apply a lubricant called "Thread Retainer" to the shaft after the nut is screwed into place.
Secondly, the direction of the wheels should be opposite, that is, to the right until it stops.
Removing the steering wheel of a Volkswagen car
As stated before , for the most part, the process of removing the steering wheel on many brands of cars is similar in principle.In order to remove the steering wheel from a Volkswagen, it is necessary to follow certain steps in the following sequence.
We remove the terminal from the battery.
First, carefully pry the horn panel with a screwdriver and remove it.
Loosen the steering column nut with a head by 24.
The next step is to remove the lock and set the steering wheel in a straight position, so that the spokes are symmetrical.
By the way, you can do the other way around: first remove the nut. But, if the steering wheel is stuck, you can injure yourself.
This method is suitable for volkswagen cars not equipped with airbags. On the same models where it is present, first of all and only then we perform all other actions. In most cases, for this requires a long flat screwdriver. The connector in all Volkswagen models is located in front and behind the speaker.
As we have already found out, the principle of removing the steering wheel on many car brands is identical. Dismantling will not cause difficulties for both experienced motorists and beginners.Perhaps this is one of the simplest operations in the maintenance and repair of cars.
During the operation of the car, car owners may need to replace the steering wheel. This often happens during work on tuning the car's interior. In this case, the driver is looking for a steering wheel that suits him best while driving, for which he will be pleasant to hold on and conveniently rotate during maneuvers. At the same time, there are times when the steering wheel simply breaks down. Most often, the plastic or polyurethane shell around the metal steering wheel frame cracks.
Purpose and design
The wheel-shaped steering wheel was first used in automobile construction in 1898. Since then, designers have worked hard to come up with various solutions in the design of this important part of the car.
Functionally, the steering wheel is designed to control the movement of the vehicle in the direction specified by it. It is on the steering wheel, as part of the control system, that the driver acts to transmit a control signal to the steering rods in order to change the direction of travel.
All steering wheel models share common design features:
- In the middle of the steering wheel, in its inner part, there is a hub with which this device is attached to the steering column.
- The outer rim is the control part of this whole device. It is for him that the driver holds and, acting on him, transmits torque to steering column and through it directly to the steering rods.
- The outer rim and the hub are interconnected by spokes, which can be in the form of pins or plates, and by their number there can be two, three or four.
The size of a steering wheel mounted on a vehicle depends a lot on whether the vehicle is equipped with power steering, hydraulic or electric.
On older car models, especially American ones, a gear lever was mounted almost directly in the steering wheel.
Modern steering wheels of many cars are equipped with control buttons for various automotive systems. The sound signal is also an integral attribute of this device, only the placement of the control of this signal is different. In almost all car models, switches for turns, lights and wipers are mounted together with the steering wheel. And when you need to replace the steering wheel, it becomes necessary to dismantle these devices.
Replacement steps
Before proceeding with the procedure for replacing the steering wheel, the car owner needs to seriously think about what type of this device is needed for the car. Many people are inclined to put a sports steering wheel on their car. Of course, appearance such a device attracts attention. Small in diameter, thickened, with figured recesses that make it easy to grip the steering wheel, it is most often made of elastic materials that are pleasant to the touch. However, this is not always a wise decision.
On a machine without a hydraulic booster in the control system, when driving around the city, a steering wheel with a larger diameter is most convenient. By rotating such a wheel, the driver has to make less effort to complete a complex maneuver.
Another important condition that must be observed when choosing and buying a steering wheel. It is necessary to check the attachment point on the hub of the new device to the steering column of the car on which the steering wheel is being replaced. This structure is often made exclusively for a specific car model and does not have a uniform connection.
In addition, on many models of cars on the steering wheels are placed switches and control buttons for various automotive systems. These steering wheels are called multifunction steering wheels. Therefore, only unique devices are suitable for such cars, since it is very difficult to redo the control circuit of automotive systems.
Buying new steering wheel, you need to imagine how convenient it will be in the cockpit, whether it will become an obstacle to the driver.
Having picked up a device suitable for all parameters, you can proceed to its replacement. Of some special conditions however, it is not required to comply. Mandatory requirements will be:
- it is necessary to fix the car on a horizontal surface hand brake and the first speed is turned on when the engine is not running; for insurance, it is desirable to install mechanical stops under the wheels;
- be sure to de-energize automotive systemsby removing the terminals from the battery.
- For correct installation the new steering wheel, remove the key from the lock and turn the wheel to fix it in the locking anti-theft device... Then mark the dashboard and steering wheel. This is necessary in order for the new device to be installed correctly.
- If there are screws securing the signal buttons or cover plates on the hub, they must be unscrewed.
- Using a screwdriver, pry off and remove the plastic or polyurethane cover that covers the hub.
- Remove the overlay for turning on the signal. If it is a more complex design, then disconnect the contact piece and the airbag unit, which should be laid with the pad down.
- Remove the old wheel and install the new steering wheel, reassembling all parts in reverse order.
The steering wheel has been replaced. To check the correctness of the work performed, the wheels must be aligned.
For the first week after changing the steering wheel, do not drive with high speedto get used to new sensations and prevent accidents.
See also video
Removing and replacing the steering wheel on classic VAZ 2101–07 Zhiguli models is one of the simplest operations. To complete it you will need minimal set tools and warm garage conditionswhen work is in progress winter period... In this case, visiting a service station is an unreasonable waste of money. To independently dismantle or change the steering wheel, you just need to study the simple procedure of work and remember a few important points.
Steering wheel removal instructions
Dismantling the steering wheel of the VAZ classics is necessary in the following situations:
- to repair the horn button or steering mechanism;
- to align the cross bar after the camber procedure - toe-in of the front wheels;
- in order to replace the standard steering wheel with another, more comfortable or sporty one.
Thin and uncomfortable steering wheel VAZ 2101-02
Reference. On classic models, the manufacturer installed 3 types of bagels - "two-spoke" with a thin strap (VAZ 2101-02), the same with a thickened cross-bar (VAZ 2103, 06) and "four-spoke" with a massive central part (VAZ 2104.05, 07).
The wheel is prettier on the six, but just as uncomfortable
All of these elements are removed equally easily, although there are minor differences in the technology of disassembly, which is performed using such a set of tools:
- 2 types of screwdrivers - flat and cross-head;
- head for a nut 24 mm, an extension spacer and a knob;
- rags.
The most comfortable steering wheel was put on the fourth, fifth and seventh VAZ models
Also, reserve a little grease like "Solidol" for applying to the spline part of the shaft.
Disassembly procedure
Removing the steering wheel on any classic VAZ model is performed in the following sequence:
- Park the car in a garage or on a flat area so that the front wheels are as straight as possible. Secure the machine with the parking brake.
- Disconnect the battery from on-board networkby removing the "negative" terminal. During the disassembly process, you will probably hit the horn several times, which will hum when there is voltage.
- Sit in the driver's seat. In the VAZ 2101-02 models, carefully dismantle the thin steering plate overlay by prying it with a flat screwdriver. Similarly, the soft insert is pulled out from the steering wheel of the VAZ 2104-07. Only the "four", "five" and "seven" have this overlay in the center (the AvtoVAZ logo is embossed on it). In the third and sixth models, the decorative strip is held by 2 screws, whose heads are recessed in the holes with back side planks.
- Insert a 24 mm head with a knob into the opened hole. While holding the steering wheel, loosen and unscrew the nut. Do not screw it all the way in.
- Grab the steering wheel with both hands and pull on yourself with a sharp movement. If the part does not jump off the splines, tap it on the back with your palms and knock the steering wheel in this way.
- Unscrew the nut all the way and remove the steering wheel.
Removing the decorative strip on the fourth model
Note. The nut holding the steering wheel must not be completely unscrewed for safety reasons. When you jerk a loose steering wheel, you can injure your head if it jumps off abruptly. The nut will prevent the element from sliding off the shaft completely.
If the VAZ 2104 trim is unscrewed from the back, then it will be removed entirely
You can get to the nut of the "four-spoke" steering wheel VAZ 2107 in another way, by unscrewing 2 screws on the back of the wheel. Then the entire plastic signal button, equipped with springs, is removed. After dismantling, take a rag and carefully wipe the shaft splines from the old grease that has hardened in places. Now you can start repairing or installing a new steering wheel.
On a penny, the signal key is easily removed by hand
Council. If you remove a part for repair and plan to put it back, then before dismantling it is recommended to apply marks with a marker on the end of the shaft and the steering wheel hub. This will help you to immediately place the element in the correct position during assembly.
On the six, to remove the lining, you need to unscrew 2 screws on the other side of the steering wheel
Photo of removing the steering wheel
The marks on which it will be more convenient to install the steering wheel back The steering wheel is pulled off the shaft with one sharp movement Do not unscrew the fastening nut to the end
Disassembly process on video
What steering wheel to put on the "classic" VAZ?
It must be admitted that the steering wheels installed on the first modifications of the Zhiguli leave much to be desired in terms of convenience and aesthetics. Of the entire line of classic models, only the "four", "five" and "seven" had a nice steering wheel with a comfortable grip for the hands. Accordingly, the owners of "kopecks" and "sixes" sought to acquire and supply themselves the same.
Nice factory steering wheel Lada Kalina
At the moment, there are other options for replacing the steering wheel on the "classic":
- steering wheels from front-wheel drive VAZs of later years of production - VAZ 2115, Kalina, Priora.
- various rudders made in China;
- tuning sports steering wheels from famous brands - Sparco, Momo and so on.
It looks like a sports steering wheel on a VAZ 2106
Note. The tuning and sport steering wheels available on the market are versatile. That is, they are installed on different cars using an adapter designed for a particular car model.
It is strongly not recommended to install cheap products of incomprehensible Chinese brands on rear-wheel drive Zhiguli. The fact is that in the first VAZs, the front wheels turn by worm gear, not racks, as in new cars. Since there is no power steering there either, situations often occur that require the driver to exert more pressure on the steering wheel. Having installed a low-quality product, you risk at one far from perfect moment to be with a steering wheel in your hands and a wrecked car - in best case.
Adapter for mounting sports steering wheel
Hence the conclusion: in addition to convenience and ergonomics, the steering wheel must meet safety requirements. These include properly tested factory parts from AvtoVAZ and steering wheels from well-known European brands.
Council. Do not rush to buy products of a smaller diameter, in which the steering wheel itself is not brought forward relative to the central part. Firstly, such steering wheels are not convenient for everyone, and secondly, from habit you will begin to touch the steering column switches with your hands when cornering. If someone you know already has a small steering wheel on the car, test it and make sure that it will be convenient for you.
Sparco sports steering wheel, forward
Installation instructions
First of all, before assembling, lubricate the shaft splines with grease, then proceed in the reverse order:
- Slide the steering wheel onto the splines, aligning the previously marked marks. If the task is to align the position of the bar or install a new product, try to fit it as evenly as possible.
- Place the nut inside the head, slide it onto the thread with an extension and tighten.
- While holding the handlebars, tighten the nut with a wrench.
- Connect the battery and try to drive your car 50-100 m on a road free of traffic. This will make sure you set the steering wheel position correctly. Otherwise, unscrew the nut again and move the element 1 tooth to the right or left.
- Replace the top trim.
The steering wheel position can be fixed with a ruler
When installing a sports steering wheel, use an adapter for VAZ 2101-07 cars, which is a cylinder with bolt holes (included) and a spline in the center. It is easy to install: bolt the steering wheel to the adapter, and then slide it onto the shaft, as described above.
Reassembly video
Installation of a sports steering wheel without an adapter on a VAZ 2104-07
If you are not too worried about the lining of the steering column in the cabin, then a tuning product from the Sparco brand, equipped with a quick-release device, can be put on the “four” without using an adapter. The essence of the method is to use as the latter the central part of a standard steering wheel with a wide platform and slots, and just cut off the rest. To work you will need:
The quick-release flange fits well on the central part of the standard steering wheel
The first step is to cut out the central part of the standard steering wheel with a grinder and carefully process the edges. Further, the order is as follows:
- Having removed the dimensions from the quick-release mechanism, where there are 6 mounting holes, mark the cut off part under them. The center holes of both parts must match.
- Trim the ends of the cut piece so that they do not interfere with the snug fit of the new handlebar.
- Drill the holes, first marking them with a core.
- Bolt the resulting part to the steering wheel mechanism.
Holes are drilled on the old handlebar for the new flange
As a result, the spline part of the old steering wheel will serve as a mount for the new one. Then install and configure it as usual.
Sparco sport steering wheel with factory steering wheel core
Video on installing Sparco steering wheel on "four"
As you can see, removing the steering wheel is not difficult. Even an inexperienced car enthusiast will cope with the task within half an hour, no more. Problems can arise when installing a steering wheel that is not suitable for the design of the vehicle and the adapter. In such cases, you need to take an individual approach to find the right solution.
The steering wheel is the most important element of the car and closest to the driver. It is thanks to him that we can "feel" the car. And, probably, you shouldn't say that everything should be in all rightbecause malfunctions with the steering wheel are very dangerous.
At the first occurrence of problems, malfunctions or even suspicions of them, you should immediately take necessary measures... Often, in such situations, the steering wheel is replaced with your own hands. Although, in some cases, a new steering wheel is installed for aesthetic reasons. Fortunately, there are no particular difficulties in this, so absolutely everyone is able to carry out the appropriate operation.
Before starting work, you should prepare all the tools and once again "go over" the theory.
Preparation for work
What needs to be done to make the new "steering wheel" take its rightful place and, most importantly, perform its functions efficiently?
This requires:
Directly find and prepare a new steering wheel;
Preparing a spacer for installation;
It is advisable to find instructions and a manual for the car;
Phillips and flat screwdrivers;
Socket wrench.
When choosing a new steering wheel, certain requirements must be taken into account. It is worth giving preference to factory products, or recommended manufacturers. Otherwise, certain malfunctions or problems may arise.
Which, in the end, ends up badly enough - at best, malfunctions, at worst, accidents.
The instructions and user manual are of course not required, but they will help you find the information you need if the need arises. For example, it is often required to determine which wires belong to which, or to find some element, etc. In principle, this is a personal matter for everyone, but such technical information will give confidence and protect against incorrect installation.
Step-by-step instruction
Preparation will not take long, as everything you need can usually be found in any garage. After that, you can already proceed directly to the replacement itself.
First, you need to get under the hood of the car and remove the negative terminal from the battery. Otherwise, there is a risk not only to get an electric shock, but also to arrange a short circuit. And this is useless.
Install the steering wheel in correct position (make sure the wheels are level). If this is not done, then the new "steering wheel" will stand obliquely, which will spoil the impression somewhat.
Remove the outer shroud from the steering wheel. To do this, it is enough to slightly pry it with a screwdriver and push. In some cases, it is secured from the rear with a bolt. So before starting, inspect the steering wheel and find the mounts.
By the way, in this case the user's manual is just useful. Finding the chapter on changing the steering wheel there is no problem.
If there is an airbag, then don't forget to disable it too! For this, the terminals are removed from the three corresponding wires.
The last step is to unscrew the central nut. Removing the pin, you can remove the wheel - it is removed quite easily. Then a new one is installed in its place. A special spacer is always supplied with the steering wheel. Remember to install it before installing.
After that, all actions are repeated in the reverse order - installation, connection electronic circuits etc.
Video
The following video demonstrates the process of replacing the steering wheel:
The steering wheel is one of the most important elements in the car control system, it is very important that it is comfortable. If you are unhappy with the steering wheel of your car, then it can be replaced.
Removing the old steering wheel
Replacing the steering wheel is a fairly simple procedure that can be done even by those with a car for you. With the help of our recommendations, you can easily and quickly replace an old, uncomfortable, ugly or faulty (underline as appropriate) steering wheel with a new one - comfortable, nice and working properly.
Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare the tools required in the process, including,
socket wrench, slotted and Phillips screwdriver; actually a new steering wheel and, preferably, a manual for the operation of your car (this will allow you to solve difficult problems). After everything is prepared, you should proceed to the main stage.
Remove the key from the ignition, open the hood, to avoid a short circuit, disconnect the terminals from the battery. Now you can not be afraid of anything and proceed to dismantling the old steering wheel, set it in its original position in advance, pay attention to the fact that the wheels must stand straight. The procedure for removing the steering wheel is described in detail in the manual for your car, following the advice indicated in it, we dismantle the steering wheel. If you, unfortunately, do not have this magic instruction, proceed according to our recommendations below.
First of all, you need to remove the outer casing from the steering wheel, which is usually attached to the latches. Please note that this procedure will require little effort. However, sometimes the casing from the back is fixed with a screw, then, in order to remove it, you will have to unscrew the bolt.
The next step is to disconnect the car horn mechanism, carefully, taking care not to damage the wires, turn off the horn and unscrew the bolts with which it is fixed. Pry off the case with a flat screwdriver blade.
Special attention and care should be taken when replacing the steering wheel with an airbag. After all, one awkward movement and it will work. After the above procedures, it's time to disconnect the SRS, no matter how complicated this procedure may seem at first glance, you can easily perform it yourself - you just need to find three wiring and disconnect the terminals. Then you should remove the pillow and check its integrity.
Here is the difficult stage behind, now we need to find the nut that secures the steering wheel to the steering shaft. Remove the stud, inspect it and if broken, replace it. Unscrew the nut with a socket wrench.
And now you can easily remove the old steering wheel, you just have to make a little effort to pull it towards you. Done!
Installing a new steering wheel
Now it's time to install a new steering wheel. Do not forget to put the special spacer on the steering shaft, it should come with the new steering wheel. Then install the new handlebar and secure it with the nut. To deliver less hassle during installation, try to choose a replacement steering wheel that is identical to the original. Then, following the above steps in reverse order, you can easily mount a new steering wheel. If you have chosen a different type of steering wheel, read the instructions attached to it and follow the recommendations indicated in it.
Remember to attach the airbag. After the new steering wheel is in place, connect the terminals to the battery, start the engine and forward, enjoy the comfort and convenience that the new steering wheel will certainly provide you with.
