[hardtopte72]

Hello everyone after having swapped my steering wheel and taking apart the airbag cover, I decided to make a thread on swapping the steering wheel and airbag, airbag cover, and even the little badge on the airbag cover. I got the steering wheel from the junkayard for $17 and the airbag cover for $11. I don't know how I feel about buying an airbag from a wrecked car and/or a car that sat in a junkyard.

This DIY will apply identically for all 2003-2008 Corolla, Matrix and Pontiac Vibe, 2000-2002 Corolla S, 1998-2005 Celica, and 2000-2005 MR2 that use the Toyota 3 spoke steering wheel with no shifter buttons. It should apply similarly to most other Toyota models with minor differences concerning the total number of airbag connectors depending on your vehicle's year.

Credit to forum member dz63 for some of the pics needed for the DIY.

Total time spent doing this was around 20 minutes, though I did a few test removals at the junkyard to feel comfortable taking apart an airbag.

Disclaimer: Myself or Toyotanation are not responsible for any damage or injury that may result from use of the DIY. Automotive maintenance and repair should be performed by qualified technicians. This DIY is for informational purposes only. Use at your own risk.

Tools and Supplies Needed:

1/2 inch or 3/8 inch Drive Ratchet (if removing steering wheel)
1/2 Inch or 3/8 inch Drive 19mm socket (if removing steering wheel)
1/2 inch or 3/8 inch Drive Torque Wrench (Should be able to do 50 ft lbs. Only if removing steering wheel)
1/4 inch or 3/8 inc Drive Torque Wrench (Should be able to do less than 100 inch pounds)
1/4 inch or 3/8 inch Drive Ratchet
1/4 inch or 3/8 inch Drive T30 Torx bit
1/4 inch 3/8 inch Drive 3 or 6 inch Extension
1/4 inch 3/8 inch Drive 10mm socket or 10mm wrench
1/4 inch 3/8 inch Drive 8mm socket (if swapping a cruise control switch)
Plastic Panel Pry Tool or Flathead screwdriver
Philips screwdriver (if swapping a cruise control switch)
Small Metal Pick or Small Screwdriver
Gloves

Warning: This DIY involves removing and installing safety items like steering wheels and airbags. This DIY should not be attempted by those without a significant amount of automotive repair knowledge and skill. Extra attention is required for this job.

Note: All steering wheels are interchangeable between the listed models. Some came flat leather, some came vinyl, and some even have perforated leather. The airbags are not all the same. Some use two connectors and some use one.

Note: This DIY will also assist with doing things like replacing the cruise control switch or spiral cable, though I will not go into those specifically.


Let's begin!

Step 1. Park vehicle on a flat surface, shut the engine off and open the hood.

Step 2. Remove the negative battery terminal. Using your ratchet and 10mm socket or wrench, loosen the negative battery terminal and set the terminal out of way ensuring it remains unconnected. Wait at least one minute before proceeding further.

Warning: You must remove the negative battery terminal and allow at least one minute with the battery disconnected before beginning this DIY. Failure to follow may result in serious injury from energized airbag deployment.

Step 3. Loosen the airbag assembly. Locate the two T30 Torx screws on the left and right sides of the steering wheel. Using your ratchet and T30 socket, completely loosen the two screws holding the airbag to the steering wheel. Using your plastic panel tool or flathead screwdriver, carefully pry the sides of the rear cover away allowing you to full remove the screws holding the airbag in place (no pics of this).

Note: On every car I have done this one, the steering wheel's rear cover holds the screws in and prevents them from coming out. Once you pry the cover away, you likely need to turn the screws a few turns for final removal.



Step 4. Remove the airbag assembly from the vehicle. Using one hand, carefully support the airbag.

4a. For models with two airbag connectors. Using your pick tool or small flathead screwdriver, pry upwards (away from the airbag) on the small yellow connector latch until it comes out of the airbag connector. Then using your hand carefully remove each airbag connector from the airbag.



4b. For models with one airbag connector, using your pick tool or small flathead screwdriver carefully slide the sliding lock on the airbag connector downward (away from the yellow wire cover) and unplug the male harness connector from the female airbag connector.



IF REPLACING COVER OR COVER BADGE ONLY GO TO NEXT STEP. IF REPLACING STEERING WHEEL GO TO STEP 8.

5. Remove the airbag from the airbag cover. Take note of the orientation and assembly of the airbag. From the cover back it goes: Cover --> Airbag --> Airbag frame. The airbag fits into the molded steering wheel cover and the frame goes around the airbag to provide a rigid structure. The inflator bolts to the frame and goes behind the airbag. The airbag frame has small extensions which fit into 11 slots that go around the airbag cover. There are 5 on top, 2 on each side, and 2 on the bottom. To remove the airbag and frame as an assembly, with one hand carefully lift up on the cover inner lip with to disengage the cover from the frame and with the other hand pull the frame and airbag carefully pull the airbag and frame assembly out of the cover.

Caution: Do not apply a lot of force to remove. I removed a 20 year old airbag and everything came out without any major force applied. The cover is slots are tight to the frame but with careful pulling, it will come apart.



6. Remove the airbag cover badge. Using your pick tool or small screwdriver, carefully bend the 4 small tabs securing the button to the cover. Then carefully push the button downard to release it from the cover.

Caution: The airbag cover badge is extremely thin metal and will bend easily if too much force is applied. Be very careful removing and installing the badge. Do not apply a lot of force to remove. I removed several and damaged one during removal by prying out with too much force. The button will usually come out one corner at a time.

 

[hardtopte72]

7. Reinstall the airbag cover badge. Using your pick tool or small screwdriver, carefully bend the 4 small tabs so they are straight enough to the allow the badge to fit in the slots. Then carefully push the button inward to install it into the cover. Then using your pick or small screwdriver, bend the tabs back downward to secure the badge in the cover.

Caution: The airbag cover badge is extremely thin metal and will bend easily if too much force is applied. Be very careful removing and installing the badge. Do not apply a lot of force to install. I removed several and damaged one during removal by prying out with too much force. The button will install one corner at a time.



Step 8. Reinstall the airbag into the airbag cover. Place the airbag cover badge side down. Carefully place the airbag and frame assembly back into the airbag cover ensuring the airbag is fully inserted into the opening and frame is secured into all 11 slots.



IF REPLACING COVER OR COVER BADGE ONLY GO TO STEP 11. IF REPLACING STEERING WHEEL GO TO NEXT STEP

Step 9. Remove the steering wheel. Take note of the relative steering wheel positioning. Depress the center release and remove the horn/cruise control (if equipped) connector from the spiral cable/clock spring. Using your hand or a small screwdriver, carefully remove the horn wire terminal from the steering wheel. Using your ratchet and 19mm socket, remove the nut holding the steering wheel to the steering column. Using both hands, hammer once or twice on the left and right sides of the steering wheel. Then using a back and forth motion, remove the steering wheel from the car.

Caution: Do not over-rotate the spiral cable/clock spring during removal or it will break internally. Take note of where it was before you pull the wheel off.

Note: I have removed over 20 Toyota steering wheels using this method. I have never had or needed a steering wheel puller nor have I damaged my wheels. Every car in my fleet except my LS460 has a steering wheel swap.

Note: Removed steering wheel pic is from Cressida steering wheel swap. Idea is the same though.

Note: You may need an alignment unless you count every single spline to ensure the wheel is on the exact spot.

Note: If you have cruise control and the new steering wheel does not, swap over the switch now. It is held on with two screws and requires a Philips head or 8mm depending on year and model.

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Step 10. Reinstall steering wheel. Place the steering wheel back into position over the splines and push it firmly into the column. Install the steering wheel nut and torque to 37 lb ft. Plug the horn/cruise control harness back in and reinstall the horn terminal.

Caution: Do not over-rotate the spiral cable/clock spring during removal or it will break internally. Take note of where it was before you pull the wheel off.

Note: You may need an alignment unless you count every single spline to ensure the wheel is on the exact spot.



Step 11. Reinstall the airbag. Carefully place the airbag pack into position and plug the connectors in.

10a. For models with two airbag connectors. Place the connectors back in their correctly colored slots. Then reinstall the yellow locks into place. Using your ratchet and T30 Torx socket, install the two airbag bolts and torque to 78 inch pounds.

Caution: The locks only go in one way. When installed they are flush with the connector body.



10b. For models with one airbag connector, slide the male harness into the female airbag slot and ensure the sliding lock is in the fully locked position (no pictures).

Step 12. Reconnect the battery terminal. Reinstall the negative terminal on the battery. Then using your ratchet and 10mm socket or 10mm wrench, reinstall the negative battery terminal.

Step 13. Turn the key to the on position and make sure your airbags work the same as before. If you see an airbag light that does not go out, you have a problem with the airbag circuit.



Step 14. Go for a test drive and enjoy your new steering wheel or airbag cover. If the car does not idle properly or idles very low, you likely need a throttle body cleaning post battery disconnect. See DIY: DIY 2005-2008 Corolla, Matrix, Pontiac Vibe DBW Throttle Body Cleaning with Pics