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Originally Posted by bigkane01
Hey thanks for sharing. I haven't had time to try and replace mine yet. I've been working way too much lately. But I really appreciate your info. Thanks again. Oh I was also gonna ask, about how long it took ya?
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big kane,
It's too difficult to tabulate the total amount of time I worked on it...my tool inventory leaves a lot to be desired. After having done the job, I'd estimate that if I had to repeat it, with the right tools, it would take me a little over an hour.
This job could be so much easier if all you had to do was remove the steering column covers. But there's not enough clearance, so the steering wheel has to come off.
The first part, removing the airbag, is easy. Remove the airbag fuse and disconnect the battery. A 7mm socket does most of the work for the entire job. You'll need this to remove the knee bolster panel and for the retaining bolt on the bulkhead connector. The bulkhead connector and the yellow Connector Position Assurance connector can be reached by rotating the panel without removing the parking brake release cable. After disconnecting the yellow connector, you can remove the airbag by prying each of the 4 leaf springs away from the notched pins of the airbag assy.
I've been able to remove the steering wheel on my old Safari with a huge washer and a 3-jaw puller, but that wouldn't break the bond on this one. So I had to break down and make a run for a decent steering wheel puller. The lower part of the steering column cover is held by 2 torx screws, but the the upper piece is secured by a bolt with a head that resembles a torx bit. Perhaps you have a socket to fit this. But I resorted to breaking it loose with a small open end wrench. Then I found that a 4mm socket fit quite snugly over it for the remainder of its extraction.
Beside the 2 connectors that slide into the bulkhead connector, there are 2 other smaller ones. I think one of them connects to the brake switch, and the smaller one might connect to the ignition switch; I'm not sure. Whatever its function, its difficult to reach. It sits on top of the column, and it may add to your time if you're not much of a contortionist.
All that remains is to cut the wire ties for the harness, and removing the 2 torx screws that hold the defective part in place. Installation is much easier than the removal.
I hope I haven't insulted your intelligence with my explanation of how to do the job; don't know you well enough to understand your level of expertise. Myself, I'm somewhat of a rookie, so I need as much help as I can get. Hope this will help you.
kevin (k-dog)