Steering Wheel Replacement How-To - The Ford Focus Forum

**LornesBored** · 10-30-2006, 01:00 AM

Ok. I have been seeing a few posts about this, and Ive decided to take it upon myself to write a little 'how-to' on replacing the airbag/steering wheel. it is actually very simple as I learned myself from installing a SVTF steering wheel from a wrecked focus at an unbeatable deal. and ESPECIALLY since FRPP is blowing out their RS wheel at $55usd, I figure some of you might need this. its only held on with 2 small bolts, and 4 clips that pop right out.

tools needed:

Various sockets, very small to very large
time.

This mod doesn't take too long, probably about 15 minutes from start to finish, experience and knowledge would dictate install time. Since you are dealing with an airbag system, which is not very senstive, but still is senstive in its own sense, it is good practice to remove the (-) battery terminal to prevent accidental deployment, and possible personal injury resulting in the latter.

procedure:

1. undo the (-) battery terminal, and wait approx 1 minute for all residual energy to disipate
2. put the key in the ignition and turn it so the steering wheel is unlocked.
3. the bolts that need to be removed are on the rear of the steering wheel, when the steering wheel straight, meaning the wheels are pointed straight, the bolts are at 3 o clock and 9 o'clock. you must turn the steering wheel to access theese bolts, I personally prefered to turn the wheel and access the bolt from the bottom, since i do not have tilt steering, that spot was completely empty.

as noted is this picture

(this is the front of course, so the bolts are on the other side)

4.after you've gotten these 2 bolts off, the airbag is held in with 4 clips. 2 at the top, and 2 at the bottom. Take care and pull lightly on these until they come out just in case there is still power left in the airbag and it blows.

as denoted in this picture

5. Only let it come out slightly, there is a harness that directly plugs into the steering wheel hub, obviously for the airbag. note its position, as there are 2 spots for it. Mine was (when I took it off) on the right hand side, and I think thats the standard position. Im sure that the other harness would be used for cruise control or radio buttons of something else, but I dot not have that so its a blank spot.
6. now the only thing you have to do is remove the steering wheel bolt. I couldnt find the appropriate socket in my tool box so I used an adjustable cresent wrench. I think it is 23mm-24mm.
7. after you remove this bolt, the steering wheel comes right off. and is ready for replacement.

I should note, that right now its the time to install your aftermarket steering wheel hub. I do not have one so I would not be able to help you with this, but you get the point.

the installation of the steering wheel is the complete reverse, remember to put the (-) battery terminal back on the battery after putting the harness in the proper side of the steering wheel hub. if you dont, the bag could deploy or your airbag light will be on.

putting the (-) on should be the absolute last thing you do in this installation, after everything has been put back together.

some little facts:

- the steering wheel cannot be mounted wrong, because the airbag harness plug is a aprt of the steering wheel hub, and sticks into the steering wheel, meaning there is no room for the steering wheel to be off.

- you have to put the airbag on to have a horn, and vice versa, when swapping over oem replacement airbags. With racing wheels, I have no clue. There probablyis a way to hook up an aftermarket horn or wiring a button to the stock horns wires wherever you wish.

- the svt and RS steering wheels are direct swaps, but they do not come stock with airbags, you must swap over your stock airbag. I know this because I just swapped from regular to SVT.

here is a picture of the final product:

Thats it, easy 15 minutes later.
Happy modding!

~lorne

**hEaT** · 10-30-2006, 01:27 AM

Nice write up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerfectSaiyan

the installation of the steering wheel is the complete reverse, dont remember to put the - battery terminal back on the battery after putting the harness in the proper side of the steering wheel hub. if you dont, the bag could deploy or your airbag light will be on.

Should you connect the terminal back up before or after you re-install the airbag?

**LornesBored** · 10-30-2006, 01:31 AM

I edited my original post to change that little mix-up, it reads properly now :-)

**hEaT** · 10-30-2006, 01:32 AM

Ok, thanks!

**Ataru** · 10-30-2006, 01:21 PM

Added it to the sticky.....

BTW, it looks like your airbag is a different shape than the airbag for the SVT wheel....

**hEaT** · 10-30-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ataru

Added it to the sticky.....

BTW, it looks like your airbag is a different shape than the airbag for the SVT wheel....

Dammit. If that's the same with the RS wheel I'm getting, expect it go up for sale.

**LornesBored** · 10-30-2006, 01:56 PM

I think thats because of the steering wheel controls. they came out from the sides where the plastic looks like its coming out.

on the RS wheel, it didnt come with the steering wheel controls or cruise, so it might just be the exact same. Im just going to put some foam in its place, or cut off the part from the stock focus wheel and glue it on

**boosted00focuszx3** · 10-30-2006, 01:57 PM

air bag is same size. the newer ones have a larger ford logo, no ribs by the horn & the lines coming from the logo. Also doesnt look like he used the cruise control switchs, (All svt's had cc)

**LornesBored** · 10-31-2006, 08:13 PM

I LOOOVE my 01 airbag.
the extremely large logo makes it look like a Honda, and the ribs add the touch if someone was blind and needed sone braille to know where to push for the horn. of course a blind person wouldnt be driving a car in the first place

gonna be a sad day indeed if it every deploys.

**hEaT** · 11-04-2006, 06:57 PM

Got the RS wheel installed. No CC at the moment, but the airbag from my 01 looks fine on it. Cake to install too. Thanks for the guide! I'd rather do ten of these then one gas pedal. I thought I was going to kill someone this afternoon.

**secondechomatt** · 11-09-2006, 12:49 PM

nice write up man. I used it today to put my RS wheel on.

one note though: I have an early 00 model, and instead of the hex head bolt, I had a weird security one that had a flat face on it with two offset indentations. Took forever to figure out what it was!

**hEaT** · 11-09-2006, 01:29 PM

WTF? Wow. I was surprised how easy the wheel came off. People were asking me if I got a wheel puller. She just slid right off no problem.

**grbrgrnzx5** · 07-11-2007, 03:25 PM

Hmmm. Got me thinkin...

**LornesBored** · 07-11-2007, 03:58 PM

**Egz** · 07-12-2007, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hEaT

WTF? Wow. I was surprised how easy the wheel came off. People were asking me if I got a wheel puller. She just slid right off no problem.

When I worked on one car, I was bracing for the worst. But when I removed that bolt, the wheel just popped off. I was shocked.

And I was really lucky the garage I was at had a socket the right size for the airbag. 5.5mm I think.

**pkolator** · 09-02-2007, 10:04 PM

Anyone know what the torque spec is for the OE steering wheel? I just swapped out an 02 OE wheel for one out of an ST (the difference is RED stitching, it matches the car now). I'm a dork.

**o2_designs** · 09-02-2007, 11:06 PM

I just tightened it as hard as I could using a breaker bar.

**DisrupTer911** · 09-02-2007, 11:13 PM

added to Interior How-Tos

**LornesBored** · 09-03-2007, 12:25 AM

I thought it was already in there?

**DisrupTer911** · 09-03-2007, 01:04 AM

guess so... lol ok removed

**LornesBored** · 09-03-2007, 01:10 AM

all I gotta say to that is dee dee dee

**Counterfiend** · 09-03-2007, 01:13 AM

I think its 50 Nm. thats what it was for the big bolt holding on the sparco and hub.

**LornesBored** · 09-03-2007, 01:16 AM

so then it should be the same, seriously just tighten it down until you cant anymore sitting there

**SVTCobraR315** · 08-09-2008, 04:35 PM

why are the pictures not showing?

**GapBoyPCS** · 08-09-2008, 06:27 PM

The pictures have either been removed from the host server (maybe deleted by the OP), or there's a problem with the server hosting the image.

10-30-2006, 01:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Steering Wheel Replacement How-To Ok. I have been seeing a few posts about this, and Ive decided to take it upon myself to write a little 'how-to' on replacing the airbag/steering wheel. it is actually very simple as I learned myself from installing a SVTF steering wheel from a wrecked focus at an unbeatable deal. and ESPECIALLY since FRPP is blowing out their RS wheel at $55usd, I figure some of you might need this. its only held on with 2 small bolts, and 4 clips that pop right out. tools needed: Various sockets, very small to very large time. This mod doesn't take too long, probably about 15 minutes from start to finish, experience and knowledge would dictate install time. Since you are dealing with an airbag system, which is not very senstive, but still is senstive in its own sense, it is good practice to remove the (-) battery terminal to prevent accidental deployment, and possible personal injury resulting in the latter. procedure: 1. undo the (-) battery terminal, and wait approx 1 minute for all residual energy to disipate 2. put the key in the ignition and turn it so the steering wheel is unlocked. 3. the bolts that need to be removed are on the rear of the steering wheel, when the steering wheel straight, meaning the wheels are pointed straight, the bolts are at 3 o clock and 9 o'clock. you must turn the steering wheel to access theese bolts, I personally prefered to turn the wheel and access the bolt from the bottom, since i do not have tilt steering, that spot was completely empty. as noted is this picture (this is the front of course, so the bolts are on the other side) 4.after you've gotten these 2 bolts off, the airbag is held in with 4 clips. 2 at the top, and 2 at the bottom. Take care and pull lightly on these until they come out just in case there is still power left in the airbag and it blows. as denoted in this picture 5. Only let it come out slightly, there is a harness that directly plugs into the steering wheel hub, obviously for the airbag. note its position, as there are 2 spots for it. Mine was (when I took it off) on the right hand side, and I think thats the standard position. Im sure that the other harness would be used for cruise control or radio buttons of something else, but I dot not have that so its a blank spot. 6. now the only thing you have to do is remove the steering wheel bolt. I couldnt find the appropriate socket in my tool box so I used an adjustable cresent wrench. I think it is 23mm-24mm. 7. after you remove this bolt, the steering wheel comes right off. and is ready for replacement. I should note, that right now its the time to install your aftermarket steering wheel hub. I do not have one so I would not be able to help you with this, but you get the point. the installation of the steering wheel is the complete reverse, remember to put the (-) battery terminal back on the battery after putting the harness in the proper side of the steering wheel hub. if you dont, the bag could deploy or your airbag light will be on. putting the (-) on should be the absolute last thing you do in this installation, after everything has been put back together. some little facts: - the steering wheel cannot be mounted wrong, because the airbag harness plug is a aprt of the steering wheel hub, and sticks into the steering wheel, meaning there is no room for the steering wheel to be off. - you have to put the airbag on to have a horn, and vice versa, when swapping over oem replacement airbags. With racing wheels, I have no clue. There probablyis a way to hook up an aftermarket horn or wiring a button to the stock horns wires wherever you wish. - the svt and RS steering wheels are direct swaps, but they do not come stock with airbags, you must swap over your stock airbag. I know this because I just swapped from regular to SVT. here is a picture of the final product: Thats it, easy 15 minutes later. Happy modding! ~lorne Last edited by LornesBored; 10-30-2006 at 02:15 AM.

10-30-2006, 01:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To I edited my original post to change that little mix-up, it reads properly now :-) Last edited by LornesBored; 10-30-2006 at 02:15 AM.

10-30-2006, 01:32 AM	#4 (permalink)
hEaT I <3 UC^3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 7,444	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To Ok, thanks! __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

10-30-2006, 01:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ataru Team Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Oklahom Posts: 13,520	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To Added it to the sticky..... BTW, it looks like your airbag is a different shape than the airbag for the SVT wheel.... __________________ Owner of SONIC the HEDGEHOG - 2003 Sonic Blue SVT Focus ZX5 [FJ] focaljet - GUIDELINES - GALLERY - [FJ]WALLPAPER - STORE - SPONSORS - SEARCH - Any Questions?

10-30-2006, 01:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To I think thats because of the steering wheel controls. they came out from the sides where the plastic looks like its coming out. on the RS wheel, it didnt come with the steering wheel controls or cruise, so it might just be the exact same. Im just going to put some foam in its place, or cut off the part from the stock focus wheel and glue it on

10-30-2006, 01:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
boosted00focuszx3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West Granby, CT Posts: 3,809	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To air bag is same size. the newer ones have a larger ford logo, no ribs by the horn & the lines coming from the logo. Also doesnt look like he used the cruise control switchs, (All svt's had cc) __________________ FOR SALE: 02 SVT Pitch Black Fully Loaded "Nitrous is like a hot chick with AIDS. You wanna hit it, but you're afraid of the consequences." My Daily :) Goldie 01 Zx3 Jackpot Gold 149k and Still Ticken. My Weekend Black 95 Trans AM LT1 V8 M6 275hp/325ft TQ totaled :( Bullet 01 ZX3 Charcoal Grey Metallic "Rags to Riches" totaled :( Shoot me a PM if you need a tracking #

10-31-2006, 08:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To I LOOOVE my 01 airbag. the extremely large logo makes it look like a Honda, and the ribs add the touch if someone was blind and needed sone braille to know where to push for the horn. of course a blind person wouldnt be driving a car in the first place gonna be a sad day indeed if it every deploys.

11-04-2006, 06:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
hEaT I <3 UC^3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 7,444	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To Got the RS wheel installed. No CC at the moment, but the airbag from my 01 looks fine on it. Cake to install too. Thanks for the guide! I'd rather do ten of these then one gas pedal. I thought I was going to kill someone this afternoon. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

11-09-2006, 12:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
secondechomatt [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Trenton, MI. Posts: 5,293	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To nice write up man. I used it today to put my RS wheel on. one note though: I have an early 00 model, and instead of the hex head bolt, I had a weird security one that had a flat face on it with two offset indentations. Took forever to figure out what it was! __________________ BRONCO BFG/RUST/WHITETRASH/TREEFAIL "The existence of flamethrowers is proof that someone, somewhere, said to himself, "I want to set those people over there on fire, but I don't feel like walking over there to do it."

11-09-2006, 01:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
hEaT I <3 UC^3 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 7,444	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To WTF? Wow. I was surprised how easy the wheel came off. People were asking me if I got a wheel puller. She just slid right off no problem. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

07-11-2007, 03:25 PM	#13 (permalink)
grbrgrnzx5 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Olympia Washington Posts: 1,366	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To Hmmm. Got me thinkin... __________________ Lookin' fast in the slow lane RIP, Jellybean (11/16/2001-6/16/2008)...you will be greatly missed. 2003 Infra Red ZX3 SVT-Totally stock...FOR NOW!

07-11-2007, 03:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To

09-02-2007, 10:04 PM	#16 (permalink)
pkolator TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Cary, IL Posts: 212	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To Anyone know what the torque spec is for the OE steering wheel? I just swapped out an 02 OE wheel for one out of an ST (the difference is RED stitching, it matches the car now). I'm a dork.

09-02-2007, 11:06 PM	#17 (permalink)
o2_designs Resident Wheel-Whore Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: mnfocus.com Posts: 11,153	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To I just tightened it as hard as I could using a breaker bar. __________________ TUNED By FSWerks -- Parts by TOUSLEY Ford ~~BOOST CREW, Bottled Fresh since 2006 ~~ Vacuum Crew, Stirring things up since 2008~~ Last edited by o2_designs; 09-02-2007 at 11:22 PM.

09-02-2007, 11:13 PM	#18 (permalink)
DisrupTer911 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey Posts: 15,205	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To added to Interior How-Tos __________________ 2009 Ice White R-Design Volvo C30 : Strictly \| Focused myFlickr : Canon : Sigma : Tamron : Induro : Domke [FJ] \| Sponsors \| Store \| Guidelines \| Ext. How-To \| Int. How-To \| Mid-Atlantic \| [FJ]

08-09-2008, 04:35 PM	#24 (permalink)
SVTCobraR315 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL / Statesville, NC Posts: 204	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To why are the pictures not showing? __________________ 2005 ZX3: Steeda CAI, Steeda 65mm TB, Focus Sport Exhaust, FS X2, CFM Under Drive Pulleys, Focus Sport Strut Tower Brace, Hawks Brake Pads, Enkei J10 17x7, Nitto Neo Gen 205/40/17

09-03-2007, 12:25 AM	#19 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To I thought it was already in there?

09-03-2007, 01:04 AM	#20 (permalink)
DisrupTer911 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bloomfield, New Jersey Posts: 15,205	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To guess so... lol ok removed __________________ 2009 Ice White R-Design Volvo C30 : Strictly \| Focused myFlickr : Canon : Sigma : Tamron : Induro : Domke [FJ] \| Sponsors \| Store \| Guidelines \| Ext. How-To \| Int. How-To \| Mid-Atlantic \| [FJ]

09-03-2007, 01:10 AM	#21 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To all I gotta say to that is dee dee dee

09-03-2007, 01:13 AM	#22 (permalink)
Counterfiend Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 4,301	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To I think its 50 Nm. thats what it was for the big bolt holding on the sparco and hub.

09-03-2007, 01:16 AM	#23 (permalink)
LornesBored [FJ] Special Ed. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: West Van, BC, Canada Posts: 9,192	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To so then it should be the same, seriously just tighten it down until you cant anymore sitting there

08-09-2008, 06:27 PM	#25 (permalink)
GapBoyPCS Moderator Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Waterloo/Toronto/GTA, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,220	Re: Steering Wheel Replacement How-To The pictures have either been removed from the host server (maybe deleted by the OP), or there's a problem with the server hosting the image. __________________ Richard - 2002 ZTS \| Sangria Red \| 433,000+ km...Be Bold, Stay Focused 24-7 Redline Rendezvous \| OFOC - Ontario Focus Owners Club \| SVTOA-Toronto [FJ] focaljet - Forum Guidelines - Welcome to the Jet - Team Canada - FJ Store - Sponsors - SEARCH

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