VY steering wheel conversion for VT-VX

[nicko]

This is a good thread to convert your boring vt/vx wheel to a VY Steering wheel. Thanks to a forbidden place.

Tools and Parts:

-5/8" socket piece with a good socket wrench or breaker bar
-flathead screwdriver
-T30H bit (T30 hollow point torx bit)
- Spare horn connector (or borrow it from the old airbag setup)

Steps:

1. Disconnect battery

2. Remove airbag fuse

3. Disconnect airbag wiring harness from under dashboard (optional)

4. Remove the 4 torx screws from the back of the wheel to release the airbag and remove it slowly.

5. Keep the airbag facing away from you and slide you flathead screwdriver under the yellow airbag connector and pop it out.

6. Remove the airbag and place it in the open, out of sunlight, face up and away from static sources.


[CENTER]As you can see both airbags share the same wiring harness


7. Next you will need to crack the bolt on the steering wheel using the 5/8" socket bit, if it is very tight it might pay to have someone hold it while you work away or step out of the car and pull the wheel and wrench together. I used a torque wrench to get the leverage i needed.

8. Once the bolt is removed, center the steering wheel, then you will be able to jiggle the wheel off the spline and slide it off slowly. Take care to hold the clock spring in place, but if you loose it, it has directions to align it again anyway.

9. Grab the new VY-VZ wheel and slide it on as soon as you can straight to lock the clock spring back in place. Ensure the green shows fully in the window of the clock spring and tighten the bolt back down.


[CENTER]Here is the wheel fitted in place


There is a change between the old VT horn system and the new VY one. The VY system uses 2 plates (1 on the back of the airbag and one on the wheel) seperated by springs and there are clips on each plate to connect to. Some VY-VZ wheels will come with the connector wiring to plug into the existing horn connector but mine didn't. All you need to do is get a spare connector with a nice length of wire and put a crimp on the end of each wire to connect to the plates. On the old VT wheel the horn connector just plugged straight into the airbag module...

10. Once you have made up the horn wiring adapter just connect the red plug to the horn plug on the steering column and plug the 1 crimp into the back of the airbag plate and the other to the steering wheel plate.


[CENTER]Here is the horn connector to go between the 2 plates


11. Next plug the airbag connector back in to the new airbag and do a final check to make sure the area is clear around the airbag.

Ready to install on wheel

12. Line the airbag locking pins with the holes on the wheel and push down to lock it in place.

13. Put in the airbag fuse again and reconnect the battery. While standing out of the car put the car on ignition and wait for the airbag light to turn off so you know it has passed the self test.

14. Start the car up and full lock the wheel to both sides to ensure everything feels right then take it for a test drive

[DannyboyDS]

nice work, now get it to work on the vr/vs models and i'll buy you a beer :P

[mwb235]

Will the illuminated steering wheel controls (i.e. from a VYII/VZ Calais) work straight away when you do the above, or is there a further mod needed?

[nicko]

future mod, can dig something up for you if you like

[moe_019]

i like this, now i just need to get myself a vy steering wheel

[moe_019]

do you think this is easy to do, and is it easy to identify which wires should go where?

[nicko]

Just take your time and keep all the parts you need labeled and bagged up. Follow the instructions, you should be alright.

[cds]

lol.. whats the chances of accidentally triggering the airbag? ive heard people tampering with this and setting the airbag off...

[SMIT]

what the average price for wheel and airbag?

[nicko]

Have seem complete wheel and airbag for sale on ebay around the $300 mark. Not always on there so just wait and watch, one will pop up.

Otherwise i believe the airbag itself new is around the $300 mark

[K Lewy]

Sorry to brig up an old thread, But i really need to know how to undo the YELLOW clip of the AIR BAG. Do i need to just put a flat head screw driver under it and lever it Up , or is there clips i need to push, i tried all today, but wasnt to keen on trying to hard, didnt want to break anything.

thanks

[666vt]

...just rang up holden
new vt steering wheel with no airbag = $225
airbag = $840
apparently takes 2 or more hours for holden to install it, at about $100 an hour...

had a crash in my vt yesterday, airbag went off so it may be a write off...

if i get the car back im just gonna buy one off ebay with the bag in it already and put it on myself [or try to]

nice write up nicko! i might have to pm you if attempt this mysel haha

[bignath]

can u repost pics??

[Coast_Calais]

got a wheel upgrade to do in my in laws VT, any chance on the pics being re-upped for reference sake before i start tinkering around? would just like a quick look at your process Vs what we were thinking...

Cheers...

[Static89]

gents. looks like nico isent around anymore. did a quick search and looks like his last post waS ON 28-10-2009, 09:42 AM UNLESS I READ IT WRONG. BEING 2 am THATS A BIG POSSIBLITY.

i know i have seen a write up about this on Street commo's forum. they are good for this kind of stuff. there just a pack of assholes though.

[tigass]

This is a good mod. Think I'll start looking around for a new wheel soon

[nicko]

Just fixed the pictures up. Haven't been on here for AGES sorry. Having more fun 4wding

[EdzEh]

Sorry to brig up an old thread, But i really need to know how to undo the YELLOW clip of the AIR BAG. Do i need to just put a flat head screw driver under it and lever it Up , or is there clips i need to push, i tried all today, but wasnt to keen on trying to hard, didnt want to break anything.

thanks

Just lift it straight up away from the wheel by gently levering it up with a screwdriver , plugs in with a small plug. Don't try to move it sideways.

BTW: I would not recommend doing this on carpet as shown in the first pic, we all know how often you get a static shock from carpet - just the thing to set off an airbag. Also - don't use a multimeter to test the resistance of an airbag, the battery in the meter is enough to trigger them!

[mayes]

Does changing the wheel to a VY one, alter the steering at all? i wouldn't want my steering or alignment to be compromised in any way... just want to make sure before i do this.

[madcat vxs]

Great mod mate, i just did it on my vx with your instructions and it was probably the easiest thing i've ever done on the car, many thanks...

[mayes]

Great mod mate, i just did it on my vx with your instructions and it was probably the easiest thing i've ever done on the car, many thanks...

Is the handling/steering of your car any different?

[madcat vxs]

no not really, feels weird for the first 5 minutes but then you get used to it...

[mayes]

sweet thanks mate, will give this a crack

[MingeyMatt]

awesome write up cheers

[boomnvn]

Is there a VY wheel available without the steering wheel radio controls? my VT doesn't have them and not keen on having them there unless I can make them work...