Steering wheel removal Hi, I just purchased a Max Ellery VT-VY service manual. It appears to cover the basics although you can get confused as they sometimes use the VT as an example in photos and sometimes VY. Not a bad buy for $45 though! Anyway, as per the manual: Always use caution when working with airbags!! Always disconnect the battery when working with the airbag. Turn the ignition to lock position. Remove drivers lower dash panel and remove fuse 26. (the manual then goes on to remove the sterring column shroud, harness connector lock etc. assuming the whole steering column is being removed) Remove the horn pad/air bag assembly by undoing four Torx screws (you need the star shape heads I think). Disconnect the harness connectors, starting with airbag (yellow) then the stereo controller harnesses. Handle the airbag with it facing away from you, and store it face up. Remove steering wheel bolt (5/8 socket) and thump the wheel from behind to loosen. A puller may be required if it does not come loose. Hope that helps! Regards, Mark.
Got mine off with a small flat bladed screwdriver. You just have to flip 4 little tabs in the back of the steering wheel, while pulling the airbag to remove it.
Steering Wheel cover VY I have read the info on this forum re removing the steering wheel on a VY, but can't get to square two. Removing fuse 26 for SRS - fine Undo torx screws - ???? - cant seem to get at them. Holes at the top of the rear of the wheel are for these (I guess), but they are covered by the steering column shroud piece and I cant get a driver in. Previous info from a workshop manual seems to assume that this is removed, but I would prefer not to have to do this. Has anyone done this job and knows the tricks? I am aware of the potential for the bag to go off in my face, but understand this part of the procedure - mind you, some say my face pushed in with an airbag would be an improvement.....
My advice to you is to take it to your local Holden Dealer to do it for you. My VY11 is an ex cop and the steering wheel in it had chunks missing from the lower half due to big butted coppers getting in and out with their belts and guns etc hitting it. I was gunna change it myself but was concerned about the airbag etc. Even the dealer got it wrong and deployed the airbag when they changed the wheel for me. The end result was one new airbag compliments of the dealer...hehehe.. BTW, i bought a new genuine holden leather wheel off ebay for a lousy $85 to replace the old one... :thumbsup: Jimbo..
Jimbo, have you any pics of your car? I also have a VY Exec LS1, ex cop. I would be interested in looking at yours, any mods? cheers Ralph
G'Day Ralph, Sadly i dont have my car right now. not since some @#$$%wipe decided to run a red light and go straight ahead at a left turn only lane! End result was i T-Boned him whilst i made a right hand turn :bang: ! Thankfully the cops threw the book at him though. :bop: With any luck i'll get my car back from the repairer's tomorrow arvo with a new front end fitted. :thumbsup: I'll try to get around to posting a few pics later in the week if i can.
No tork screws on a VY that was the VX like hsv_punk said you need to use a flat blade screw driver, there are 4 slots in the rear of the wheel which you can see if you jam you head around there, insert the screw driver vertically and twist (can remember which way and pull on that corner of the air bag, do this for each 4 clips. Do not do this if you have your battery connected, disconnect it for 30 min at least as they need to disipate charge (incase the car rolls forward with you in it and the ignition off it will still activate), then you need to disconnect all the connectors for the steering wheel controls and pull the yellow plug out of the airbag. Make sure that the wheel is straight before any of this. A few tips... the bolt holding the wheel on is large 26mm I think from memory so make sure you have large sockets on hand, and under no circumstances reconnect the battery with out the airbag connected or you will get an error message which needs to be removed by holden. Hope this helps...you dont need to pay holden to do this I have done 3 now and it only takes 1/2 hour to do.
Thanks for that. What you said makes sense and it fits with what I see when I check out the back of the wheel. I'll try it over the weekend if I get a chance. If I disconnect the battery, is there anything except the radio that I need to reset?
you dont need to reset the radio as far as i know, the only thing the radio pin is used for is if you swap it into another car,
Works a treat! Did it this morning - and you're right, it was quick and easy. Disconnected battery and removed fuse #26 (overkill - i know, but I didn't want the holden lion in my face!). Bent a little flat screw driver and moved the clips and the bag etc just popped forward. All really straight forward. All went back together fine and no reset of anything needed. Thanks all for the advice folks, very happy with the new wheel too!
Does anyone know how Holden defines their service charges? Is there a flagfall? Hourly rate? Cost per task? The reason I ask, is because I am taking the car in next week to have a bunch of things installed, one of which is a new steering wheel and airbag. It would be nice to know - help prepare the heart for the bill - lol.
Call them and ask them! I have found the Holden dealer in Adelaide fairly helpful in that regard - and they seem to stick to their quotes unless there is a clear reason not to, ie extra parts etc. They are providing a service thay you are paying for and should be able to give this sort of information - we are dealing with a product made by the 1000's. If they don't know pretty well everything about costs of service and repairs, what is the point of sending the car there. Also worth testing them. Give them the odd job and see if they do the right thing - if you're not happy there are plenty of other dealers. They want your money - make them earn it! It's what the rest of us have to do.
Now why didn't I think of that? :embarrass lol. In case anyone was wondering, it is $60ph + Parts + GST + Bank charges (AMEX & Diners)....
No - the dealer that I have gone to has $60 = $60. I am an untrusting miser when it comes to dealers and checked out my local with some minor work plus warranty stuff to see if they did the right thing. Was pleasantly surprised. Have booked the car in for a service now and got a quote for it. If they keep doing the right thing, I may keep going to them. Maybe...
