Randy V

I want to install a new leather wrap on my GTS steering wheel.

What are the steps to remove the steering wheel?

Thanks.

worf928

Disconnect battery.
Wait 20 minutes.
Find torx bit. Unfasten airbag. (Torx bolts behind stalks.)
Disconnect 2-pin connector. Withdraw.
Unbolt steering wheel. (27mm IIRC)
When reassembling make sure to get a good 'snap' when reconnecting the 2-pin.

77tony

...

snoz

Search is your friend. https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-question.html

Rob Edwards

Find a stubby Torx hex bit (I think the bit is either T25 or T30) that fits into one of those screwdriver handles, and use a 1/4" ratchet with a 1/4" socket to turn it. The torx screws themselves are captive in the wheel, you just undo them enough to release the airbag.

There is a white plastic 'arm' that sticks thru the crescent in the wheel, it connects the airbag wiring. Its range of motion is about 9 full rotations. If the wheel is centered when you take it off, that 'arm' should be 4.5 rotations from either end (i.e., in the middle of its travel). Not a big deal as long as you don't rotate it while the wheel is off. Guess how I learned about this?

After undoing the shaft nut, make a line with an ultrafine sharpie across the wheel hub and the shaft so you get the wheel back on the same spline.

Randy V

Thanks for the pointers guys.

Is there any difficulty in replacing the horn buttons?

I'm thinking they just pry out of the wheel recesses?

SteveG

Randy You probably know anytime the bag is disconnected, you will have an "airbag" fault message on your dash. You need a Hammer or Theo's software to clear it.

Alan

Randy - the airbag is still an explosive device - store it bag side up on the garage floor.

If you reconnect the battery & turn the ignition on with the bag out you will indeed get an airbag fault locked.

Alan

Randy V

Good points, guys.

My plan is to get a loaner steering wheel from a friend in the business (if he has one) and swap steering wheels with power diconnected to prevent the airbag warning light.

Horn button tips?

Gary Knox

Randy,

As David said, the WSM indicates 20 minutes for disconnection of the battery. I've done this 5-6 times on my GTS, and I ALWAYS err on the conservative side with that EXPLOSIVE device when it is right in front of my face. Therefore, I always disconnect the battery about 24 hours before I start the removal process.

IF you never turn the ignition ON while the airbag is disconnected, the AirBag error should not be activated. Again - only once did I make this mistake, and the error code popped up every time until I used Theo's software to eliminate it. In the other times, when I did not insert or turn the key, I've never had the error code activated.

You MIGHT want to consider a 3 spoke wheel from the 996's/Boxsters. Tremendous improvement in my opinion, and you don't have those stupid "buttons" to activate the horn - just the center pad.

Gary

jeff spahn

are there certain years that work or don't work on the boxster steering wheels?

Gary Knox

Jeff,
The later models of the 996 (called a 911) and 986 (Boxster) fit the 928's (and 944's/968's) that were equipped with airbag. They need one SMALL modification in order for them to fit perfectly - taking 6 mm off the top of their splines so the nut can be fully fitted. The earlier models (and I think the 993's) with airbags have a four spoke wheel - much like the 928/968 steering wheel, but it uses the middle of the wheel (actually the airbag) as a contact for the horn. So - they would fit also on airbag models of the front engine water cooled cars. They need the same small modification to the wheel

A "clock spring" from those model cars is also needed to use the rear engine cars steering wheel on the front engine cars, along with their airbag as well.

I have a couple of modified steering wheels (the 6mm removed) that would fit on 928's. Modifications cost me about $35 each for a machinist to do the work.

Gary--

terry gt

I did what worf 928 recomended ,and no bang / or light . Did it twice because I put the wheel on one notch out the first time.

Donald

Yes

Rob Edwards

T-30.