wood steering wheel swap questions
#1
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Ok... I have been always very pleased with my 2000 GS-400 , except for the steering wheel . I have been wanting to replace it for long time , but I was always afraid of the complications with the Air bag .
Now , having said that , I found this wood steering wheel on Ebay , brand new from Japan but it doesn`t mention if I can install my Airbag (the one original on the car) or I would have to find a more modern one .
I need to know that and besides that how difficult it is to swap the steering wheel having to re-install the transmission buttons , etc etc ?
I am pretty handy , so I am fairly sure I can do it with some guidance . Would I need an extractor to take out the steering wheel ?
I will really appreciate as much info as possible to decide if I burn some money on this thing . Thanks
http://www.ebay.com/itm/98-00-Lexus-GS300-Beige-Leather-Brown-Wood-Grain-E-Shift-Steering-Wheel-JDM-VIP-/370746102397?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item565230927d&vxp=mtr
Now , having said that , I found this wood steering wheel on Ebay , brand new from Japan but it doesn`t mention if I can install my Airbag (the one original on the car) or I would have to find a more modern one .
I need to know that and besides that how difficult it is to swap the steering wheel having to re-install the transmission buttons , etc etc ?
I am pretty handy , so I am fairly sure I can do it with some guidance . Would I need an extractor to take out the steering wheel ?
I will really appreciate as much info as possible to decide if I burn some money on this thing . Thanks
http://www.ebay.com/itm/98-00-Lexus-GS300-Beige-Leather-Brown-Wood-Grain-E-Shift-Steering-Wheel-JDM-VIP-/370746102397?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item565230927d&vxp=mtr
Last edited by josey88; 04-21-14 at 02:29 PM.
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From 1 to 10 how would you describe the difficulty to swap your steering wheel ? what about taking the airbag out and installing it back again ? I have no clue , since I have never done it . Click the pic to open the site .
#5
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it is fairly easy to remove.
Disconnect your battery so you don't break your neck when the airbag explodes!
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g230.jpg)
On the side of your steering wheel/column, pop out the lil square plastic on the left side. and use a torx / star driver to loosen this screw
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g231.jpg)
on the right side pop the little circle out and loosen the other screw
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g232.jpg)
Just lightly wiggle the Airbag out of there and carefully unplug the yellow airbag connector
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g233.jpg)
I use my 4-way lug wrench to break the big nut loose holding the steering wheel on
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g234.jpg)
Instead of renting a steering wheel puller, just put your foot on the brake for leverage and pull on the top of the wheel, then a good hard tug on the lower part of the wheel pulled right off.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g235.jpg)
Reverse the Process to put your new wheel on
Disconnect your battery so you don't break your neck when the airbag explodes!
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g230.jpg)
On the side of your steering wheel/column, pop out the lil square plastic on the left side. and use a torx / star driver to loosen this screw
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g231.jpg)
on the right side pop the little circle out and loosen the other screw
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g232.jpg)
Just lightly wiggle the Airbag out of there and carefully unplug the yellow airbag connector
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g233.jpg)
I use my 4-way lug wrench to break the big nut loose holding the steering wheel on
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g234.jpg)
Instead of renting a steering wheel puller, just put your foot on the brake for leverage and pull on the top of the wheel, then a good hard tug on the lower part of the wheel pulled right off.
![](http://straight-p.com/gs400/g235.jpg)
Reverse the Process to put your new wheel on
#7
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Hey, this is EXACTLY what I needed !!!! It doesn`t seem to difficult at all .
Thanks , Sevenevez ... those pics describe the procedure perfectly .
Thanks , Sevenevez ... those pics describe the procedure perfectly .
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Yes, I think so too . It is a lot of money for a steering wheel, but I can use the original airbag which would save me some problems and having to buy another bag . In any case , are there any other wood tan leather steering wheels with the e-shifts available for less money ? I would jump on it for sure .
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Yes, my car has the e-shift buttons .
I was researching on the 01 and up airbag and I like the 98-00 airbag design better and the way it looks on the steering wheel . The only thing is that it doesn`t have the shiny L emblem , but besides that , I prefer the old one style better ,kind of a more square looking , so , fortunately I even like my airbag style .
If the seller confirms 100% that I will be able to use my air bag as all of you have said , it will be only a matter of swapping wheels , it is a brand new steering piece with no damage at all since it is new , and If I consider the cost of buying an newer airbag and finding it , etc , then the cost balances better .
If I am doing the wrong thinking , please, advice me . Thanks
I was researching on the 01 and up airbag and I like the 98-00 airbag design better and the way it looks on the steering wheel . The only thing is that it doesn`t have the shiny L emblem , but besides that , I prefer the old one style better ,kind of a more square looking , so , fortunately I even like my airbag style .
If the seller confirms 100% that I will be able to use my air bag as all of you have said , it will be only a matter of swapping wheels , it is a brand new steering piece with no damage at all since it is new , and If I consider the cost of buying an newer airbag and finding it , etc , then the cost balances better .
If I am doing the wrong thinking , please, advice me . Thanks
Last edited by josey88; 04-21-14 at 03:59 PM.
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My GS-400 has only 27,000 miles on it (27,035 to be exact ) and it is immaculate in and out .
I am keeping it forever , so yes , I think that even thou it is a lot of dough for a steering wheel , it will make my car complete .
The site says that it is Tan perforated leather so that is why it looks weird on the pic . The wood seems to match perfectly with the interior wood color also .
What the hell, it is only money , lol...
Last edited by josey88; 04-21-14 at 04:28 PM.
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Hopefully the wood would match , at least I expect it will .