steering wheel help

[Shelby<3'scavvy]

I want to replace my wheel with another one of the same. can someone please explain howto do this. esp concerning the airbags. i have searched and not found anything so sorry if i missed it

[J-Ri]

Never done one on a Cavalier, but every GM I've seen is done like this:

Disconnect the battery, record your lock code, if applicable. Connect both cable ends together with a jumper wire to prevent any static electricity buildup. Remove the screws from the back side of the steering wheel. Some are 1/4 or 1/2 turn fasteners, but not very many. If they stop turning or don't come out, this would be why. The air bag should now pull off enough to remove the electrical connector. Remove the nut from the shaft. There may also be a wave washer, I don't remember for sure. Once the nut and anything else is off, the steering wheel should pull off. You may need to tap the shaft a bit while pulling on the steering wheel. Don't hit it hard, the steering shaft is collapsable to keep it from impaling you in a crash. Hitting it hard will break the plastic rivet-ish thing that holds it solid. I'd reuse your airbag, you never know about the one you may have got if one came with the steering wheel. Unless it's new, but I'm assuming used.

[rhandwor]

I always use a steering wheel puller. Look at ling and run the other numbers.
Auto Zone or Advanced Auto have a tool loaner program.
http://www.autopart.com/tools/toolsmain/tool/T_1515.htm
Look at 1500,1512,1520 Use search.

[Shelby<3'scavvy]

mm thnks =] ok i am using a wheel from my old car that ive had for 2 years... and had one owner before that, and i know her. so i should be good right>> just do that in reverse order to put the other one on?

[J-Ri]

Steering wheel puller? Where's your sense of adventure? It is a good idea to at least have access to one, but most steering wheels I've done just about fall off once the nut's removed.


You got it, install is reverse of removal... probably with a torque spec, but "tight" hasn't come back to bite me in the ass yet. One thing I forgot to say, make sure the shaft and wheel are "dummy splined", where it will only go on one way (most are). If not, you need to mark it with a chisel so the wheel is straight after you put it back on.

[rhandwor]

My experience is if you don't have a die run the nut down about flush. Otherwise you will mushroom the threads and not all came off. Its easier to use a puller in my opinion.