Replacing steering wheel
10-29-2007, 12:00 PM
#1
Replacing steering wheel
Ok, don't shoot me, I searched and couldn't find anything relavent. I got a new black steering wheel from a 93? GXE from traxtar. How does I go about removing old one (star trek maroon gayness) and installing new smexier steering wheel. Also, I don't think my 89 had airbags, and this new one does. I can just leave the airbag unplugged, right? Thanks guys, and again don't shoot me. 
BUMP
10-29-2007, 04:02 PM
#3
Ok I had to figure it out on my own so here goes
Be sure to have your steering wheel straight before removing it so the new one is aligned with the wheels
If a round donut-like container has exposed ribbon cable, DO NOT unroll it, try to put it back in without messing with it or it will snap later on while you're turning. It happened to me and I had to replace it.
1. Disconnect the negative cable off the battery 10mm nut and wait about 10 minutes (I didnt lol)
2. Use a Torx TamperProof size T45 or T50 (not sure which) after removing two platic covers on side of wheel near cruise controls.
3. You'll need size 19mm I believe to remove the center nut that hold wheel in place.
4. Be sure to remember where you disconnect everything from so you can put it back where it goes (airbag cables which is a ribbon, horn, and cruise controls)
Reverse process for installation, hope I didnt miss anything.
Be sure to have your steering wheel straight before removing it so the new one is aligned with the wheels
If a round donut-like container has exposed ribbon cable, DO NOT unroll it, try to put it back in without messing with it or it will snap later on while you're turning. It happened to me and I had to replace it.
1. Disconnect the negative cable off the battery 10mm nut and wait about 10 minutes (I didnt lol)
2. Use a Torx TamperProof size T45 or T50 (not sure which) after removing two platic covers on side of wheel near cruise controls.
3. You'll need size 19mm I believe to remove the center nut that hold wheel in place.
4. Be sure to remember where you disconnect everything from so you can put it back where it goes (airbag cables which is a ribbon, horn, and cruise controls)
Reverse process for installation, hope I didnt miss anything.
10-29-2007, 04:10 PM
#5
Be sure to unplug the battery so you dont have an airbag that can travel 30 feet in the air while it deploys 150-200 miles an hour. Dont mark my words on how fast it deploys but my mom got hurt pretty bad this past thursday after her POS car had the motor mount break and had the car take off WOT into a curb, pole, and 98-02 corolla.
10-29-2007, 05:14 PM
#6
Be sure to unplug the battery so you dont have an airbag that can travel 30 feet in the air while it deploys 150-200 miles an hour. Dont mark my words on how fast it deploys but my mom got hurt pretty bad this past thursday after her POS car had the motor mount break and had the car take off WOT into a curb, pole, and 98-02 corolla.
Well my 89 doesn't have an airbag. I'm going to disregard the airbag cable from the new steering wheel and just connect the cruise and horn. But, I will disconnect the battery of course.
10-29-2007, 05:32 PM
#7
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 120
Your car doesn't have a clock spring. What you need to do is go to the junkyard and find a Maxima with an airbag steering wheel already on it. Armed with a phillips head screwriver, the correct Torx bit, and the correct socket for removing the nut that holds the steering wheel on, you want to remove the outer top and bottom pieces that cover the part right behind the steering wheel. Use the Torx bit to remove both bolts on both sides of the steering wheel. Remove the main nut holding the steering wheel. Gently unplug all wiring, and make sure the wires are completely loose so they can fall through the center hole without snagging on to the wheel when you pull it off. Pull off the steering wheel. Unplug all wiring going to the switches and everything else on that center mass of crap right behind the steering wheel. There is only one thing holding that mass of crap to the steering column and it is a collar. The screw holding it in place is right on top. You can't miss it. Completely unscrew it. Pull the mass off. You have to be a little persuasive, but it will come off. You will then go to your car and basically do the same thing, but then reattach the one you got from the junkyard. It will snap right into place. If you are wiring the cruise buttons from the newer steering wheel, too, it's a cake job. The wiring is coded the same.
Like blootoof said, be carefull not to mess with the top spinning thing on the top of the mass of crap (which is the outer part of the clock spring housing). If it pops off during your removal on the junk car, you'd be best off to find yourself another wrecked Maxima with an airbag wheel and repeat the process.
Like blootoof said, be carefull not to mess with the top spinning thing on the top of the mass of crap (which is the outer part of the clock spring housing). If it pops off during your removal on the junk car, you'd be best off to find yourself another wrecked Maxima with an airbag wheel and repeat the process.
10-29-2007, 05:36 PM
#8
Can you show a picture of what I'll need? I bought my steering wheel from traxtar, and you can see the pics here. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=536712
He included everything that I think I'll need, but I'm going to go to a u-pick sometime this week anyways. If I get pictures, it'll help so I have an idea of what to do.
He included everything that I think I'll need, but I'm going to go to a u-pick sometime this week anyways. If I get pictures, it'll help so I have an idea of what to do.
10-29-2007, 05:42 PM
#10
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 120
Hmm, I'm not sure if it will just bolt up. I never disconnected the clock spring housing from the mass of crap it's attached to. Don't have any photos, either. If you have the following things:
1) Steering wheel puller
2) Torx bit set
3) A couple of phillips head screwdrivers
4) The correct socket on a 1/2" drive w/ extension
...you'll be just fine. You might want to try to install it first before resorting to the junkyard, then follow the steps I gave you if you need to do it. I just have no idea whether or not the clock spring bolts right up to the mass of crap.
1) Steering wheel puller
2) Torx bit set
3) A couple of phillips head screwdrivers
4) The correct socket on a 1/2" drive w/ extension
...you'll be just fine. You might want to try to install it first before resorting to the junkyard, then follow the steps I gave you if you need to do it. I just have no idea whether or not the clock spring bolts right up to the mass of crap.
10-29-2007, 05:48 PM
#14
So the clock spring is what'll allow me to bolt it up properly? Anyone got pics?
10-29-2007, 05:59 PM
#15
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 120
@gapboi - I used a puller. It made it a simple process.
@Dhunterx - The mass of crap it's bolted to is the same thing the turn signal and wiper switches bolt on to. If you remove the plastic housing on the top and bottom of the steering column you'll see it clear as day.
Another thing I forgot to mention is having wire cutters. It'll be another thing that'll come in handy when taking that mass of crap off at the junkyard.
@Dhunterx - The mass of crap it's bolted to is the same thing the turn signal and wiper switches bolt on to. If you remove the plastic housing on the top and bottom of the steering column you'll see it clear as day.
Another thing I forgot to mention is having wire cutters. It'll be another thing that'll come in handy when taking that mass of crap off at the junkyard.
10-29-2007, 06:21 PM
#16
Well, probably going to raid a u-pick for some turbo volvo parts, got a fun project with our mule volvo sitting in the garage, so I'll raid some third gens for the clock spring and any other goodies I might want. Thanks for the help guys.
10-30-2007, 09:17 AM
#17
Not to thread jack...but I have an aftermarket wheel whose horn button has two wires going into the boss...obviously, these are the power and ground wires for the horn. The only problem is that the backside of the boss just is a flat metal ring, and it seems like a brush-type connector should touch it to to make the connection for the horn.So my problem is that I don't know how to wire the horn up for power. If I used a wire it would wrap around the steering column every time I made a turn and rip out. Does anyone have experience with hooking up an aftermarket wheel and making the horn work? Thanks!
10-30-2007, 03:28 PM
#19
I can send you the brush style after I get to the JY. Have no idea when I'm going though, hopefully tomorrow. I'll send you a PM after I get my clockspring installed and the brush thing taken out.
10-31-2007, 04:05 PM
#20
NICE! Thats awesome. I wasn't sure HOW I was going to do that...I'd really appreciate it. Thanks! I just thought all maxima's had that setup like my old one. The brush thing along with the connector piece would be appreciated. I'm assuming it just bolts right in like the clock spring type?
11-03-2007, 11:24 AM
#24
Ok, got the clockspring. I got the connector for the new steering wheel. Problem is, I don't know what each wire does. I got different color wires on my old connector and different ones on the new one. I was gonna solder the new connector, but I need to know what each wire corresponds to. On the old connector I have the following wires: lightgreen with white, darkgreen with white, tan with grey, black with white, blue, brown with grey and a purple. The new connector has the following wires: 2 yellows with pink, a light blue, a dark blue, a brown with white, a purple, and a tan (or white). I need to know which wires would have to be soldered to each other so I can get my horn and cruise. Thanks.
11-03-2007, 12:04 PM
#25
damn...this info will help me too if you're going to send me that brush thing. Maybe I can send you the other end of the plug and when you send me the brush thing you can include both ends of the plug as well. That way there's still a way to remove it if need be. I hate making a hard connection where there used to be a plug. In the mean time, that info will be useful. I'm sure that the clockspring has more wires though because it also has the airbag wires. I don't know what the color differences are though. It's strange that both wheels have 7 wires, I'd think that the one with the airbag would have more than the one without.
Last edited by traxtar944; 11-03-2007 at 12:10 PM.
11-03-2007, 12:06 PM
#27
damn...this info will help me too if you're going to send me that brush thing. Maybe I can also send you the other end of the connector so you can still use it? Then you can send me the brush-type thing with the entire connector as well. I hate making solid connections where there used to be a plug. In the mean-time, this info is good because you're putting an airbag wheel on a car that has no airbag...I'm sure someone will want to do that in the future.
*edit* btw traxtar, what steering wheel are you putting in that you would need the brush type system? 240sx? A maxima SE wheel w/o airbag.
Last edited by Dhunterx; 11-03-2007 at 12:09 PM.
11-03-2007, 12:14 PM
#28
I have an Isotta Strada wheel. It's kind of like MOMO. They're a big company in Italy. A friend of mine turned me on to the company and I'm hooked. Their products are SO nice. I've got their alu06 pedals, FR10-NE dead pedal, and an e-brake handle as well. The steering wheel is smaller than the stock wheel too, which improves the steering ratio for tighter turns. I paired that up with NRG's quick release and short hub system. I'll post pics as soon as the interior is done. Here's a link to their site and a pic of the steering wheel.
::Isotta::
::Isotta::
Last edited by traxtar944; 11-03-2007 at 12:20 PM.
11-03-2007, 12:23 PM
#30
Well, it has a horn, and I'm integrating my own cruise buttons into the dash. 3 Little push-buttons right by the vent. It'll look like it was meant to be there when I'm done. As far as an airbag....I know it's retarded to remove, but I just really like the look of that strada wheel. I've been driving without an airbag for almost a year now.
11-03-2007, 03:39 PM
#32
Ok, n/m the FSM doesn't help me. I need to actually know what color wires to cross reference between the airbag type connector and the non air-bag type connector. '90-Maxima, it looks like you've done this before; would you know which wires I'd have to connect to get the horn and cruise to work?
11-03-2007, 04:06 PM
#34
11-03-2007, 04:46 PM
#35
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 120
Ok, n/m the FSM doesn't help me. I need to actually know what color wires to cross reference between the airbag type connector and the non air-bag type connector. '90-Maxima, it looks like you've done this before; would you know which wires I'd have to connect to get the horn and cruise to work?
11-03-2007, 07:08 PM
#37
I downloaded a 94 FSM from g20, I know that the wiring is the same, but it doesn't tell me the color of the wires. Thanks anyways.
11-04-2007, 07:12 AM
#39
Yea, I found the wiring in EL-27 and EL-28 in the 94 book, and it tells me that 3 wires are resume/accel, 2 are set coast, and 2 are horn. But it doesn't tell me what the colors are. And I haven't found ANY other place in the book where it tells me the wiring for the horn/cruise.