Out of those experienced in pulling steering wheels from 3rd gens is there any things or little tricks I should know about that may help? I found a wheel in really good shape as mine is getting a little worn on top. From what I've seen i need to take off the 2 security torx bolts on the sides, remove the air bag to gain access to the center nut if that sounds about right. Im guessing its a splined shaft and do they tend to seize or do i need a puller? Any tips on removal and intallation without throwing off the alignment would be great. Thanks guys

 

if the steering wheel hasnt been removed ever, its gonna probably be seized. my 88 KingCab i put an aftermarket steering wheel on i used a puller, i had to crank the bolts hard and all the sudden there was a loud crack and i thought i blew the threads on the steering wheel. original wheel came off with one helluva crack

alignment just park the car facing straight ahead with steering wheel in the middle when you park it to take off the wheel, put the new wheel dead center again and it shouldnt change. also remember 20-30 minutes wait period after disconnecting the negative battery terminal for the airbag to discharge the capacitors

 

I've actually never pulled a 3rd gen Maxima wheel, but I would be surprised if it doesn't pull right off with no puller necessary.

Chrome, did you need a puller due to rust due to being in Canuckiztan? Or was it actually that tight? All the Jap cars I've messed with over the years the wheels just slide right off

 

even at work anything we rip a steering wheel off of needs a puller, doesnt matter the make lol

my KingCab poured water from the windshield into the cab, that and sitting in a field for years probably had to do with it. when that steering wheel let go it sounded like thunder lol

 

It comes right off after you remove two torx and center nut. you need to wiggle it back and fourth left to right right to left and top to bottom bottom to top. Don't pull to hard tho. You can mess up clock spring and be sure to remember the alignment.mark it with a white marker. I switched mine out with a g20 steering wheel when I had my VE. Oh if you have an airbag unplugg your battery for about an hour before you start unplugging connectors to avoid any lights. I went to the extreme and disabled the alternator and batery. For about 3 hours before i swapped it out so I wouldn't get an error light. Good luck

 

Thanks guys. Chrome i saw a wheel on ebay that was a little beat up but it had the air bag out so i just looked at it for reference and noticed there didn't appear to be any bolt holes to mount a puller. Atleast from what i could see and lux97Max were the connections the same on the G20 wheel? A different wheel may be an option but im not sure. Even though i've burried myself in upgrades over the years i still like to keep a somewhat stock appearance and feel to it that makes the 3rd gen what it is.

 

Its the same wheel same airbag. The only difference was the leather wrap it looks a bit sharper and glossy. Connectors are the same.

 

Thanks. Maybe i just might take a look into swapping with a G20 wheel.