Steering wheel removal/swap guide?

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
Hi

I know @Curtly has done it and I am looking to do the same, swap the pre facelift FR steering wheel to the leather post facelift wheel.

Short of the obvious, remove battery negative and wait..... and make a cuppa, how long I'm not sure.

Is there any things needed to be done after or thing not to do?

A staight swap hopefully.

Any advice or experiences appriciated!
Thanks
 

Curtly

Active Member
Jun 5, 2015
893
19
Essex
Have a look on YouTube at any vw (golf best) steering wheel being removed. They're all basically the same. Turn wheel and remove airbag with 2 clips from rear of wheel. Then unscrew one centre bolt.
 

Deleted member 103408

Guest
Seen those. Already commented on one. I need the actual fitting guide. Thanks

OK Sorry misunderstood what you were after.

Cant say I have seen a definitive guide how to just do this but:

Have you looked in the workshop manuals that @paddy6789 provided, if you look in D3E804FD5CD-Bodywork-interior_fitting_work.pdf there are instructions for the removal of the airbag unit with igniter and all the trims (both on the wheel and surrounding.
 
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Curtly

Active Member
Jun 5, 2015
893
19
Essex
OK Sorry misunderstood what you were after.

Cant say I have seen a definitive guide how to just do this but:

Have you looked in the workshop manuals that @paddy6789 provided, if you look in D3E804FD5CD-Bodywork-interior_fitting_work.pdf there are instructions for the removal of the airbag unit with igniter and all the trims (both on the wheel and surrounding.

Was just about to suggest the same thing. It's all there if you look hard enough.
(Best thing on these forums are those manuals... aside from everyone's individual wonderfulness of course)
 
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kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
[/USEif you look in D3E804FD5CD-Bodywork-interior_fitting_work.pdf there are instructions for the removal of the airbag unit with igniter and all the trims (both on the wheel and surrounding.

One thing that stands out with a quick look is when disconnecting and reconnecting battery negative is to have ignition ON!
Page 136

On the Golf video above he doesn't disconnected the battery at all,..... being brave!
 
Last edited:

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
Did you replace yours your self @Curtly?

There seems to be three ways,
- don't bother disonnecting battery at all - like the video above and be stupid!!!!!
- disconnect the battery as most people know - with ignition OFF
- as per workshop instructions below, must be with ignition ON?

copied the section below from the links above, which contradicts its' self on the last part.

What I don't want is an Airbag in my face or a dashboard lit up like a Chrstimas tree!?

♦ When working on pyrotechnic components and airbag control
unit - J234- , battery earth strap must be disconnected with
ignition switched ON. Then cover over the negative terminal.
♦ A waiting time of 10 seconds is necessary after disconnecting
the battery.
♦ The battery must be connected with the ignition SWITCHED
ON. When doing this, there should be no-one inside the vehicle.
Exception: Vehicles in which the battery is in the passenger
compartment. In this case do not stay anywhere near the
effective range of the airbags and seat belts.
♦ If the ignition has not yet been switched on after the battery
has been reconnected (indicator lamps in instrument cluster
off), keep your head and arms away from the steering wheel
and any knee airbag installed (i.e. away from the operating
range of any airbags and the seat belts) when switching on the
ignition for the first time.
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
Sorry for all the questions but I have another, about connections.

Wanted to check there is one purple/yellow/red plug that connects to the airbag, with also two seperate metal spade connectors.

Then one large yellow connector that connects to the inside of the wheel/steering column.

Reason I ask is that somehow the wires from the multifunction buttons don't appear to be enough going to the large yellow plug, maybe they are multi core?
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
Well I braved it an followed the Seat instructions. Went really well other than working out how the little black plug disconnects!

Five errors of which 3 clear while driving and the other two needed the ignition off and back on.

Well happy. So so much better wheel!

I've also managed to get rid of most of the smell of smoke and dirt from it too. As a non smoker it's flipping horrid. Can't see how it can be so dirty on a car half the age of mine. Mucky people about ha ha!
 

JACUPRA280

Active Member
Jun 18, 2015
932
55
Somewhere
Hi

I know @Curtly has done it and I am looking to do the same, swap the pre facelift FR steering wheel to the leather post facelift wheel.

Short of the obvious, remove battery negative and wait..... and make a cuppa, how long I'm not sure.

Is there any things needed to be done after or thing not to do?

A staight swap hopefully.

Any advice or experiences appriciated!
Thanks

I paid a local VW specialist to do mine. They did it in 2 minutes and didn't unplug the battery.
 

kevster184

Active Member
Mar 14, 2015
682
29
I paid a local VW specialist to do mine. They did it in 2 minutes and didn't unplug the battery.

I did ask a few but got no where. Can't see it being worth the risk of not disconnecting the battery if you DIY, doesn't take long. At least if a trade does it for you they are responsible if it goes pear shaped :coolthumb
 
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