5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
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Hello all, I bought a wood/leather steering wheel from wooddashexperts.com, and would like to know if anyone else has done this swap or if you know how to remove the existing steering wheel for the install. I did a similar swap with my wifes 325i, but it was for an M3 steering wheel, and it was pretty straight forward.
I've did numerous searches, so if there is a post here about it, sorry I missed it, but I must of went through hundreds of posts looking for it. Thanks guys!
Hello all, I bought a wood/leather steering wheel from wooddashexperts.com, and would like to know if anyone else has done this swap or if you know how to remove the existing steering wheel for the install. I did a similar swap with my wifes 325i, but it was for an M3 steering wheel, and it was pretty straight forward.
I've did numerous searches, so if there is a post here about it, sorry I missed it, but I must of went through hundreds of posts looking for it. Thanks guys!
I can't help with the install but I do have a question.
Does the wood on the wheel match very well?
I'm very interested in purchasing that wood wheel.
I called the wooddashexperts and wa told it's about a 45min to 1 hour dealer install.
I called a Toyota dealer and was told the cost would be $184.
I was also told when changing the steering wheel the toe may change and a wheel alighment is recommendeded and was included in the $184 cost.
My Toyota service guy was unavailable to take my call so I'm waiting to hear from too.
I have a friend a a body who can do the install cheap for me but that alignment issue,if true, stinks.
I'm curious to see if my Toyota dealer says the same thing about the toe issue.
Well my buddy at a bodyshop says he'll do the install and a wheel alignment isn't necessary.
I'm going for it if the wood matches well.
Woodexperts say it does...we'll see.
Dealer install?! I wish they would have mentioned that in the description. Oh well, I guess they won't be sending instructions. I receive mine tomorrow, so I don't know if the wood is a perfect match, but I sure hope it is close enough, at least so I won't be able to tell.
Needing an alignment is total BS. It should be a matter of disconnecting the battery, removing the airbag cover, disconnecting the airbag module and removing the wheel, and then reversing the job with the new wheel. Not sure where the alignment issue would come into play!
After I receive it, I'll let you how it matches. I'll see if I can muddle through the job of installing it, too. We'll see!
It is supposed to have the buttons, but we'll know for sure tomorrow.
Please let me know as well ... as I'm very interested .... that was going to be one of my next mods, but at $500 from Toyota Japan, I've been putting that off!
__________________ Current Rides:
2011 BMW 535i M-Sport xDrive (Mine), 2010 Infiniti G37S Convertible (Wife's), 2010 Toyota Rav4 Base 4cyl (Dog-mobile)
Please let me know as well ... as I'm very interested .... that was going to be one of my next mods, but at $500 from Toyota Japan, I've been putting that off!
It's a Toyota OEM wheel with all the buttons.
There's two plug-ins for the controls.
Wanted this steering wheel from day one.
Saw it online for $500 plus shipping.
Too much $$$.
I ordered it yesterday for a cost of $360 with shipping.
You must pay $460 with shipping but you get $100 back when you send them the core steering wheel.
My buddy who manages a bodyshop will do the install probably next Saturday.
Interesting how a Toyota dealer tries to get a wheel alignment with the install.
What a ripoff that dealer is!
They also have a $169 7 piece add on matching wood kit I may go for if the wheel match is perfect.
If the wheel match is a little off it still works.
The 7 piece kit has the CD storage door which buts up against the console so if the match is off,it will show. http://wooddashexperts.com/customer/...at=4526&page=1
What about the airbag? Does it come preloaded with a OEM airbag, or do you have to swap you existing air bag? I would be completely frightened of activating the air bag, which would then be another very costly replacement.
__________________ 2007 CAMRHEE Hybrid - SOLD! Nov 2008 Completed Mods: RK Sport body kit, 18" LexusGS430 wheels, TRD/SE springs, Rear Lip Spoiler, Sliding Armrest, Smoked Tails, Terk XM-Direct, Rear Bumper Applique, Front License Bracket, K&N, Lower Grill Chrome Accents
i hae an xle and i believe its the right amount of wood. ill pass especially on the 7 pice add on for one main reason its not a replacement for existing panal the wood kit is only double side taped on top of existing materials so youll have a lip where oem trim end and add on begins .. nasty if you ask me
i hae an xle and i believe its the right amount of wood. ill pass especially on the 7 pice add on for one main reason its not a replacement for existing panal the wood kit is only double side taped on top of existing materials so youll have a lip where oem trim end and add on begins .. nasty if you ask me
The airbag gets sxwapped,Flop.
I've been told the install is easy to do by someone who changed a wheel on a Lexus. ... took about 10 minutes. There's two screws that hold the airbag on (behind grommets on either side of the wheel along the column) loosen those scres, the airbag will come off the wheel. disconnect the airbag, remove the 1 bolt holding the wheel on, disconnect the audio wires, swap wheels and do the steps above in reverse.
I imagine the battery should be disconnected.
I'm going to have a buddy do the install if the wheel is a good match.
Brian,
I'm not going to go for the 7 piece addon.
Too much but the wheel will be a perfect add-on if matches pretty well.
Most luxury vehicle makes have the wood wheel.
It's a nice touch,IMO.
The airbag gets sxwapped,Flop.
I've been told the install is easy to do by someone who changed a wheel on a Lexus. ... took about 10 minutes. There's two screws that hold the airbag on (behind grommets on either side of the wheel along the column) loosen those scres, the airbag will come off the wheel. disconnect the airbag, remove the 1 bolt holding the wheel on, disconnect the audio wires, swap wheels and do the steps above in reverse.
I imagine the battery should be disconnected.
I'm going to have a buddy do the install if the wheel is a good match.
Brian,
I'm not going to go for the 7 piece addon.
Too much but the wheel will be a perfect add-on if matches pretty well.
Most luxury vehicle makes have the wood wheel.
It's a nice touch,IMO.
LOL ... sounds like something I said .... No seriously ... I did the install on my ES300 a while back and it's real simple to do. Definately disconnect the battery negative terminal (Just for precautions).
I'm probably more excited than you for you to get the wheel - LOL! I've been waiting quite some time for this damn wheel, now someone has finally come through for us. In my opinion, the XLE should have the wood wheel, as it is the "luxury" model ... I know the npeople are gonna say they have to leave somehting for the ES350, but I've drive n the ES350 when my ES300 was in the shop, and let me tell you ... definately worth the extra $10k if you've got it ... ride quality, interior quality, and interior styling are far more superior to the camry!
Off track ... but back on topic:
Toyota Japan Wood Wheel:
WoodDashExperts.com Wheel:
Much nicer than the factory wheel IMO! I have the wood wheel on the ES300, and I like having the wood on the top and the bottom of the wheel ... personally I always thought that the wood only on the top on the Japan Camry was assinine!
__________________ Current Rides:
2011 BMW 535i M-Sport xDrive (Mine), 2010 Infiniti G37S Convertible (Wife's), 2010 Toyota Rav4 Base 4cyl (Dog-mobile)
Well, I wasn't home when UPS came by, and my note to leave it wasn't good enough, as they made it "signature required (in person). I'm picking it up at my local UPS center in Chapel Hill today, but they don't open till 3pm. I already took the steering wheel off (don't worry, I'm driving a different car temporarily, lol), and it's exactly like you said, Joe. Thanks for the confirmation Pillpusher84. It took like 10 minutes, though the wheel if very hard to pull off after removing the steering assembly nut.
I will add that the repair manual calls for a T30 Torx socket to remove the 2 screws on either side of the steering wheel to remove the airbag. I used a 5/32" allen.
Also the repair manual doesn't list what size the steering assembly nut is, but I used a 3/4" socket on a torque wrench, and when retightening, it should be retightened to 50NM, according to the manual.
P.S. I'll admit, I also the 7pc factory match upgrade kit as well. I really only wanted the CD door, and I may only use that 1 pc, though seems damn expensive if thats all I end up using!
i hae an xle and i believe its the right amount of wood. ill pass especially on the 7 pice add on for one main reason its not a replacement for existing panal the wood kit is only double side taped on top of existing materials so youll have a lip where oem trim end and add on begins .. nasty if you ask me
Yeah, because the trim in the car is already perfectly aligned!
I've already got lips showing on both sides of my center stack, where upper meets lower, and various other slightly misaligned areas on the center console (not immediately obviuos, though). Certainly not enough to have the dealer take anything a part to try to fix (and leave me with thinking I had a mouse in the car)!
We'll just have to see how it looks, and I'll take some pics after I get mine.
Well, I wasn't home when UPS came by, and my note to leave it wasn't good enough, as they made it "signature required (in person). I'm picking it up at my local UPS center in Chapel Hill today, but they don't open till 3pm. I already took the steering wheel off (don't worry, I'm driving a different car temporarily, lol), and it's exactly like you said, Joe. Thanks for the confirmation Pillpusher84. It took like 10 minutes, though the wheel if very hard to pull off after removing the steering assembly nut.
I will add that the repair manual calls for a T30 Torx socket to remove the 2 screws on either side of the steering wheel to remove the airbag. I used a 5/32" allen.
Also the repair manual doesn't list what size the steering assembly nut is, but I used a 3/4" socket on a torque wrench, and when retightening, it should be retightened to 50NM, according to the manual.
P.S. I'll admit, I also the 7pc factory match upgrade kit as well. I really only wanted the CD door, and I may only use that 1 pc, though seems damn expensive if thats all I end up using!
Ok then, I'll let you all know when I'm done.
How long did delivery take?
I ordered mine yesterday.
Looking forward to your review on the wood match issue.
I think that CD door cover is to close to the console so if the match is even a little off,you'll notice.
The wheel is a different story,tho.
I'm passing on the 7 piece kit.
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Wood Steering wheel Install
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