Steering Wheel Instructions

[Crazy Paul]

CP, have you investigated this yet.

No, I forgot all about it.
Will try to remember next time someone leaves their VE keys laying around.

[warbird]

Not sure if this will completely clarify the key sequence, but should help anyone who hasn't replaced theirs yet.
I started with the wheel at 90 degrees, then disconnected battery and fuse per directions.
I only removed the upper cover (if you dont, I dont think you can get enough leverage to undo the airbag clip), which is very easy, tried the lower but i would have broke a tab as almost everyone else did. As most have indicated the wheel will be locked, as CP indicated you dont want to turn to far. Best description is to gently apply pressure to steering wheel while slightly turning the key, as soon as wheel gives stop turning key.
I realized after reinstalling the wheel that I had forgot to reinstall the 2 lower screw's for the silver trim piece, could have left it this way but trim was a little loose and thought I might snag it and break it during track maneuvers.
Since i now had it down pat I decided to remove again to reinstall screw's, during the unistall I turned the key too far and it became locked in place, I reattached just the battery cable and unlocked the key, removed the cable and proceeded with unistall and reinstall.
The only consequence in my case was loosing presets for climate, radio, miles driven /yet to go, and TPMS recognition. Radio reset to my setting within 2 minutes, TPMS recognized after a few hundred feet. Only loss was current mpg and mileage on that tank of fuel. I am sure though that the ECM recorded some kind of event.
The initial install probably took close to 2 hrs, 2nd time 1/2 hour even with key mistake.

[TurboMike]

It should be noted theres an error in these instructions (which is also in my G8 shop manuals). After your airbag is out you need to unplug the wiring harness from the clockspring that goes over the torx center nut to get the nut off and wheel free. These instructions and the G8 shop manuals both have pictures pointing to the wrong place to unplug the harness.

"11: Disconnect the Steering Wheel Controls Electrical Connector (2)." When you look at arrow #2 it points to the harness at the top of the steering wheel. This is where the wires come out of the clockspring and is NOT a connector even tho theres a plastic clip there. The plastic clip is where the wires change from a flat wire to 6 individual wires and if you try and pull it out and break that connector you've just destroyed the entire clock spring. Ask me how I know, and how difficult it is to get another clockspring.

The correct connector you want to unplug is at the bottom of the steering wheel where the wires go back behind the steering wheel. Thats a plug.

[thrustie]

Sorry to bump an old thread, was wondering if all you who have done a wheel swap could help me figure out Step 7 - how the release the tension on the Module spring using the flathead screw driver. I turn the wheel and have tried every side flathead I have around and just about every way I can push/turn/spin a screw driver with no luck. Any tips or tricks as I literally gave up after about 30 minutes messing with it. Thanks a lot.

Kyle

[Crazy Paul]

help me figure out Step 7 - how the release the tension on the Module spring using the flathead screw driver.

The pictures marked "Latched" and "Unlatched" can't be any clearer.
It needs to be a very large screwdriver or similar tool....it takes grunt to lever against the spring tension.

[LDM]

Here's a picture from the front side after the airbag is popped out that shows what's going on.



Like Paul said, it has to be a pretty big bladed screwdriver, the problem is it can't be that long or else it interferes with the instrument cluster. It is a pain in the ass to do.

[LDM]

For reference, this is what the GM special tool for airbag removal looks like.



I used a screwdriver, and because of the straight handle I couldn't get much prying leverage to move the spring, but with a wide enough blade and a twisting motion it was able to pry the spring away enough to release the clip

[thrustie]

Thanks a lot for the replys guys. Much appreciate. I understand the instructions and supporting pictures can't be any clearer Paul, I work on cars all the time and do my own modding, I just didn't feel like mucking up the holes anymore than I already have turning a large flathead in them.

Thanks Len, I hear ya with the large flatheads. I rotated the wheel so the holes were at the bottom so I could sneak a larger flathead in there from the bottom without being right up against the cluster. I will try giving the module a wiggle and some support like noted in the instructions and give another go tomorrow.

Kyle

[hazards280]

Here's a picture from the front side after the airbag is popped out that shows what's going on.



Like Paul said, it has to be a pretty big bladed screwdriver, the problem is it can't be that long or else it interferes with the instrument cluster. It is a pain in the ass to do.

Just to make sure I have this 100% right. (I'm concerned about setting my airbag off). I would unplug both of the center connections on the airbag and the six prong connection that is on the bottom inside of the steering wheel? The instructions are showing to unplug the connection at the top of the inside of the steering wheel.

[LDM]

When I had everything unplugged and the wheel removed, this is what it looked like.