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Removing Gen3 Camry steering wheel

11K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  SpectraBlueCam  
#1 ·
This question goes to all, but maybe Jeff you know since you did it before....

I have the Haynes manual but i cant find anything in there regarding steering wheel removal.

Any instructions?

Oh BTW, this could be potentially for a 2000 Celica steering wheel swap. lets hope the deal goes through.

thanks.
 
#3 ·
Yep it fits! BTW, my TRD wheel is on. It looks amazing. :grin: But it has to pass the ultimate test: resetting the airbag light.

Where did you manage to find a Celi wheel? Damn! I've been looking for one!

Tip number one is not to disconnect the airbag with the ignition on. That will set off the airbag light (which is what happened to me). One way to avoid this problem altogether is to disconnect the battery, which is what Haynes recommends.

When doing the swap, you'll need to splice the airbag wires to make the connections. We'll get to that when it arises.

As for removing the wheel, here are the instructions (which ARE in the Haynes manual) :wink: :

1. Pry off the two flaps on each side of the wheel (one around the cruise and a blank one on the other side).
2. Undo the torx screws (I have the torx bits if you need to borrow). Note here that the screws do not come out because they're held in place. Just loosen them all the way.
3. Yank out the airbag module.
4. Disconnect the airbag harness.
5. Disconnect the horn/cruise harness.
6. Unscrew the big lugnut in the middle of the wheel.
7. Whack the wheel from behind to get it off the hub.

BTW, get a GTS wheel if possible. It's leather wrapped. All GTS wheels have cruise. On the GT model, cruise is optional so depends on your luck.

I can meet you over the weekend if you need a hand. My cell number 416-587-4123.

BTW Ratko, your favourite dish at South Park:
"cha siu (bbq pork) gone chow (stir fry) yee fun (spaghetti)". But you should also try the "huck jieu (black pepper) au yuk (beef) gone chow yee fun". :grin:
 
#6 ·
On 2001-12-07 12:34, SpectraBlueCam wrote:
Yep it fits! BTW, my TRD wheel is on. It looks amazing. :grin: But it has to pass the ultimate test: resetting the airbag light.

Where did you manage to find a Celi wheel? Damn! I've been looking for one!
Its not 100% sure im gonna get it, but one of my friends said he has one for sale.

Tip number one is not to disconnect the airbag with the ignition on. That will set off the airbag light (which is what happened to me). One way to avoid this problem altogether is to disconnect the battery, which is what Haynes recommends.
I figured that.

When doing the swap, you'll need to splice the airbag wires to make the connections. We'll get to that when it arises.

As for removing the wheel, here are the instructions (which ARE in the Haynes manual) :wink: :

1. Pry off the two flaps on each side of the wheel (one around the cruise and a blank one on the other side).
2. Undo the torx screws (I have the torx bits if you need to borrow). Note here that the screws do not come out because they're held in place. Just loosen them all the way.
3. Yank out the airbag module.
4. Disconnect the airbag harness.
5. Disconnect the horn/cruise harness.
6. Unscrew the big lugnut in the middle of the wheel.
7. Whack the wheel from behind to get it off the hub.
OK, I found the section now... it was under "Suspension & Steering", my bad.

Do I really need a "steering wheel puller" to take out the middle nut? Is it that tight or what?

BTW, get a GTS wheel if possible. It's leather wrapped. All GTS wheels have cruise. On the GT model, cruise is optional so depends on your luck.
Ill see what I get, id be willing to live without cruise if thats what i comes to. Main concern is airbag.

I can meet you over the weekend if you need a hand. My cell number 416-587-4123.
I will.

BTW Ratko, your favourite dish at South Park:
"cha siu (bbq pork) gone chow (stir fry) yee fun (spaghetti)". But you should also try the "huck jieu (black pepper) au yuk (beef) gone chow yee fun". :grin:
Actually i asked a waitress there for the "cha siu gone chow yi faan" and she corrected me asking if it was "gone chow cha siu yi faan" i was ordering. Either way, its all good, ill try the black pepper dish next time im there.

thanks.
 
#10 ·
Ratko, the puller is to extract the wheel off the hub AFTER you remove the nut, which is just any regular nut. The puller is not necessary if you give the wheel a few good whacks from behind. The trick is do this with both hands at the same time on opposite sides of the wheel. That way, the force is exerted in a way that will pop off the steering wheel.
 
#11 ·
On 2001-12-07 12:34, SpectraBlueCam wrote:
Yep it fits! BTW, my TRD wheel is on. It looks amazing. :grin: But it has to pass the ultimate test: resetting the airbag light.

Where did you manage to find a Celi wheel? Damn! I've been looking for one!

Tip number one is not to disconnect the airbag with the ignition on. That will set off the airbag light (which is what happened to me). One way to avoid this problem altogether is to disconnect the battery, which is what Haynes recommends.

When doing the swap, you'll need to splice the airbag wires to make the connections. We'll get to that when it arises.

As for removing the wheel, here are the instructions (which ARE in the Haynes manual) :wink: :

1. Pry off the two flaps on each side of the wheel (one around the cruise and a blank one on the other side).
2. Undo the torx screws (I have the torx bits if you need to borrow). Note here that the screws do not come out because they're held in place. Just loosen them all the way.
3. Yank out the airbag module.
4. Disconnect the airbag harness.
5. Disconnect the horn/cruise harness.
6. Unscrew the big lugnut in the middle of the wheel.
7. Whack the wheel from behind to get it off the hub.

BTW, get a GTS wheel if possible. It's leather wrapped. All GTS wheels have cruise. On the GT model, cruise is optional so depends on your luck.

I can meet you over the weekend if you need a hand. My cell number 416-587-4123.

BTW Ratko, your favourite dish at South Park:
"cha siu (bbq pork) gone chow (stir fry) yee fun (spaghetti)". But you should also try the "huck jieu (black pepper) au yuk (beef) gone chow yee fun". :grin:
Hi Jeff, you bought that TRD steering wheel from HK?? How much was it? I was always wondering how good it feels when taking corners!

Leon
 
#13 ·
You know when it was first introduced in HK, it costed around CAD$1100 i think. and for $720 it still hurts wallets BUT the good thing is that it has an airbag! So you just brought it along with you on board?? hand carried it? lol. u know i really thought of having one b4 , and Ive gotta see it when ur ride's fixed, and hope ur ride will be fixed ASAP la!!

Leon
_________________
TOM'S Spirit

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: r1123flight222 on 2001-12-08 01:55 ]</font>
 
#14 ·
It's close to being done. Another couple of days for alignment and touch ups. As for $720, it really isn't bad at all, considering that a stock airbag alone is about $800 from Toyota. I can sell my old airbag for at least $400, so it's going to cost me around $300 for everything. Not bad!

I didn't hand carry it just because it would have been too much trouble in terms of security. I packed it carefully and checked it as a fragile item.