steering wheel replacement?

[northern piper]

So I'm going to the junkers tomorrow to pick up an intake manifold runner control but am thinking about getting a few other parts if I see them on the van I'm picking off of. I need a new steering wheel. Has anyone ever removed the steering wheel from a 2000 windstar? If it's not too bad a job and the tools required aren't significant I think I'll try if I find one in good shape.

Any ideas?

[12Ounce]

Carry the 3/8" rachet, a 6-10" extension, and sockets 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 ( I think its 10mm, but not for sure). If you've never done it ... its unusual, but not difficult. Since driver air bags came into existence, the center nut for the steering wheel has changed ... its still there, but you turn it indirectly thru a worm gear. Therefore, look for the removable trim access door on the strg whl ... open and underneath you will find the 10mm (??) screw. Start loosening. In about 100 turns, maybe fewer, the steering wheel will come loose.

[northern piper]

thanks for that, I think I'll tackle it if time permits. Any idea on compatibility of newer windstar steering wheels and my 2000? I"m thinking if a newer one is available and will fit.. I've heard that there are some 3 pin 4 pin electrical "thing" going on...

[12Ounce]

No ... can you carry the old one with you for comparison? Or take some smart phone images. Don't forget to lift battery cable and wait for 10 minutes for air bag discharger to "cool off".

[northern piper]

I'm going to the auto graveyard so I'm expecting the battery to be pulled long ago. Got my battery operated ratchet as well so I don't have to spin my wrist a zillion times. I think I'll take a peek at my van tonight and see.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by northern piper

Has anyone ever removed the steering wheel from a 2000 windstar?

Aye! It's a very easy job if you take the wheel from a 2000. If junkyard staff have left the keys inside the vehicle (as they should) turn the key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel and turn it to the right until you can see the access panel (small square on steering column trim) on the left side. Pry the panel out, you should see the worm gear's head in there. It will be either a smooth Hex type gear you slide the socket over, Allen screw or a Torx screw. I have seen all three on 99-03 Winnies, even for a same model-year they use different types. You will need to unscrew this gear for about 40 turns so be patient or bring a power screwdriver or drill. Turn it until the steering wheel gets loose, wiggle the wheel a bit, pull it out and disconnect the wires (2 connectors). If the keys are not available you will need to do this from below, not as comfy.

If you want a steering wheel from 01-03 models the procedure is the same but the connectors are different. For some reason those models have two pairs of wires connected to the air bag through a 4-prong connector (vs 2-prong on the 2000), a 3-prong connector for the cruise control/horn buttons (vs 2 on the 2000).

Now because the air bag module is different in 01-03 models the steering column trim is a different shape and the trim from a 99-00 model is not compatible with the newer steering wheels. So if you want a 01-03 steering wheel don't forget to also bring the matching trim home along with the wheel. REmoving the trim is a little tricky but not complex. First remove the steering wheel tilt lever (just grab and unscrew by hand or channel lock) then use a long phillips screwdriver to remove the 4 (I think) screws that sandwich both halves of the trim together.

As you can see the procedure only requires a few basic affordable tools.

Now don't make a fool of yourself like I did when I found a cool-looking black steering wheel in pristine shape in a '02 commercial Winnie at the junkyard, removed it, paid for it, and took it home. Only THEN did I notice that it had no cruise control buttons at all, nada. It had never occurred to me that an ultra-basic Cargo Winnie would have no cruise control (even though I had noticed it had no overhead console), heck I didn't even know Ford made Winnies without cruise control! As I was fuming over my stupidity my wife mentioned that she had never seen me use any sort of cruise control even once in 17 years, so why all the fuss. Well woman, to us men it's having the gadget that matters, using it is a mere secondary concern.

[northern piper]

so I managed to get the intake manifold runner control (see my other post about DTC 1516, 1518) and the metal arms, the 2 bottom brackets and associated rollers for both slider doors, the steering wheel and 2 hub caps all for $50. The van I pulled the stuff off of was a 2000 but honestly looked brand new. The wheel doesn't have any signs of wear and the door brackets look equally new. Strange for a 12 yr old vehicle. Anyway, my joy for sure. The only difficulty is that the van wheel is beige; mind is grey, but I've got the paint, adhesion promotor and skills to paint the wheel so I'm not too concerned. I'm going to paint the door brackets and install them in the next few days. So far, with the new IMRC installed, I'm code free so I'm crossing my fingers that it stays that way!

Oh, fwiw, the wheel removal is a piece of cake. An 8mm socket and as discussed earlier, about 50 turns to get it off.

[Windstartled]

Originally Posted by northern piper

The van I pulled the stuff off of was a 2000 but honestly looked brand new. The wheel doesn't have any signs of wear and the door brackets look equally new. Strange for a 12 yr old vehicle.

Junkyards are full of pleasant surprises. I especially like former fleet vehicles from buinesses that deal with the public and keep installing new parts so that their vans remain cosmetically appealing and comfortable despite old age. "My" junkyard purchases a lot of those, and also some from regular people who just happen to take exceptionally good care of their cars.

With regards to steering wheel colour the original in my van -which has a beige interior- was kind of caramel brown like the seats but I found that beige and black steering wheels blend equally well: black matches the panel trim colour while beige goes well with door trim. Gray appears to be the only colour I can't use. I did not know they had paint for steering wheels? The possibilities are endless...

[northern piper]

changing the colour on vinyl isn't difficult, but you do need a little bit of prep, and the right materials. In the US there is a paint line called SEM. They manufacture paint for vinyl materials (dash, door panels, seats, steering wheels..) that works great. It's likely available in Canada too but not locally to me. I ended up using a product for vinyl made by plastikote, spray bomb style can. After thorough cleaning, scuffing the wheel with a red pad, wipe with autobody wax remover and spray. The coating looks really good. I'll take a couple of shots of the old and new wheel once I install it. just fyi.