Ugly Steering Wheel

[cheeba]

Hey Guys,

The steering wheel on my Gen 4 Camry has finally gone to hell. I tried searching but couldn't find any useful information. What options do I have as far as improving the look of my wheel or replacing it? I'd like to keep airbag functionality if possible.

Also, is it easy to remove the stock steering wheel?

Thanks,

[frenum49]

Well, If you want to keep your airbag you will need to find a used wheel at the junkyard. You will also need a puller to get the wheel off. Autozone has a free tool rental service but I am sure they do require a deposit. Just to be safe I would disconnect the battery before removing the wheel. Airbag electrical systems are pretty redundant but, you would not want one going off in your face.

[midnightmach]

I got my gen 3 wheel off without a puller.

Get a 7th generation celica wheel.

To get the wheel off.
Remove platic covers on the side of the steering wheel.
Remove torx screws.
Remove air bag.
Take off nut holding wheel.
Remove wheel.

[Eye8Pussies]

^ lol...well...you're just one of the lucky ones then...

you usually need a puller....otherwise it's damn near impossible. and a puller kit is usually only about $15bucks

[95WhiteCamry]

pulled mine off without a puller, too.

just gotta hit it kinda hard from behind. just takes elbow grease, really.

[eddie926]

You don't really say what's wrong with it. Could the appearance be fixed by a new leather steering wheel cover?

There are some very nice ones available these days for a reasonable cost.

[cheeba]

Originally Posted by eddie926

You don't really say what's wrong with it. Could the appearance be fixed by a new leather steering wheel cover?

There are some very nice ones available these days for a reasonable cost.

Thanks for the advice guys. The original material of the steering wheel has worn down and the bare metal is now showing. I've seen steering wheel covers but none of them seemed to fit just right. I don't have any leather in my car either, so I was thinking it would be tacky to have a leather steering wheel cover. Anybody done the steering wheel cover?

If I can't find a decent install, I'll more than likely go the route of a replacement Camry/Corolla steering wheel. I'm glad to know it isn't hard, but I'm not exactly sure what a puller does. I assume it..."pulls" but not exactly sure why I need it.

[eddie926]

Here's one example...

http://www.wheelskins.com/original_w...2c796296801a61

[frenum49]

You need the puller because there is a splined shaft in the steering column that the wheel fits onto. This is normally tight as hell and a puller is needed to remove it. But who knows you might get lucky and are able to pull it off without one. Or you could pull so hard that when the wheel finally lets go you will have CAMRY SRS AIRBAG permanently indented into your forehead and a broken nose.

[SkinnyConHeo]

Originally Posted by eddie926

Here's one example...

http://www.wheelskins.com/original_w...2c796296801a61

^ This is nice... but a little pricey.

[EvoFire]

Originally Posted by frenum49

You need the puller because there is a splined shaft in the steering column that the wheel fits onto. This is normally tight as hell and a puller is needed to remove it. But who knows you might get lucky and are able to pull it off without one. Or you could pull so hard that when the wheel finally lets go you will have CAMRY SRS AIRBAG permanently indented into your forehead and a broken nose.

I LOL'ed

[cykaaro]

Seriously though, I know of someone whom was taking off a cherokee steering wheel without a puller. He actually did get it off. which is near to impossible, but when it came off, he hit himself in the head so hard he knocked himself out cold for over an hour