angmedic91

iTrader: (5)

Is there anything I should be worried about when removing an air bag from the steering wheel. Ive been told to disconnect the battery from the car and thats it, is there anything else I should disconnect or be concerned about. How tight do I tighten the bolt when putting the steering wheel back on? I came across a steering wheel DIY and it doesnt really cover anything about the airbag and safety precautions. Thanks for the any info.

GEORGE_JET

Disconnect the battery and wait a little while before procedding. The other thing that you need to be concerned if you remove the steering wheel is the clockspring. Before you remove the steering wheels, make sure the wheels are pointed straight ahead, have a couple thin strips of duct tape, or other strong tape. When you remove the steering wheel, you want to tape the clockspring to keep it from turning, this is VERY IMPORTANT that it does not turn! If it does you might as well just save yourself some time and buy a new clockspring.

The other thing about airbags, do not set them on a surface upside down. You want the metal mounting plate facing down at all times. If a airbag goes off, you want the bag and it's cover coming at you. As opposed to having the metal mounting plate facing up (at you). If the bag was to go off, the metal plate would then become a projectile. A extremely dangerous situation.

Pyroibw

i removed mine with no problem. a few screws hold it in, came out easy.

angmedic91

iTrader: (5)

Thanks guys, I was able to remove the steering wheel according to the DIY and George Jet's info. I disconnected the battery and waited about a half hour just to be safe. Dont know about clockspring, but I did have my wheels straight when I removed my steering wheel and replaced with the 2000 wood grain steering wheel in the same way the old wheel came out, I made sure the alignment was correct. One thing I did come across in changing steering wheels and airbag. The 2000 and 2001 ES300 airbag will not work on the 97-99 Lexus ES 300, the connectors are completely different. I bought a 2000 ES300 wood grain and black leather steering wheel with an airbag on ebay for 260.00 dollars. My interior is tan, so I figured if I got a black steering wheel with black airbag cover everything would look good. But the 2000 ES300 airbag has a different connector, so I had to use my old airbay and place it in the 2000 steering wheel and had to dye the airbag cover black, looks nice, but just an FYI for those who are changing out and upgrading steering wheels. I could of saved 120.00 dollars by just getting the steering with no airbag on ebay if I would of known the airbag wouldnt have worked. Now I have a 2000 black ES300 airbag I cant use, guess I can see it to someone. The 00-01 steering wheel fits perfectly on my 98 ES300, plug and play, but you must use your old airbag. Hope this info helps people.