How to take off the steering wheel

[mikemol]

I want to do a little mod and I need to get the steering wheel off for that. How do I take it off? what do I start with? Once I get that done - I'll show you my results. I don't want to tell what I'm planning as I want to suprise you all with a picture when I'm done.

[Gussie2000]

Mikemol
I'll suggest you go to a mech & have that job done by qualified techs.

The last thing you want to see before your eyes is the airbags module deploying up.

A momo steering wheel will look sweet

[lasturbo]

VX Shop Manual 2A-48
Page 219
You will need a steering wheel removal tool. I got mine a Pep Boys (Kragen and O'Reilly's has them too for about 15 bucks)
Here is the verbiage:

Removal
1.Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle’s wheels
are pointing straight ahead.
2.Turn the ignition switch to “LOCK”.
3. Disconnect the battery “–” terminal cable, and wait at
least 5 minutes.
4. Disconnect the yellow 3-way SRS connector located
under the steering column.
5. Loosen the inflator module fixing bolt from behind the
steering wheel assembly using a TORX) driver or
equivalent until the inflator module can be released
from steering assembly.
6. Disconnect the yellow 2-way SRS connector located
behind the inflator module.
WARNING: THE INFLATOR MODULE SHOULD
ALWAYS BE CARRIED WITH THE URETHANE
COVER AWAY FROM YOUR BODY AND SHOULD
ALWAYS BE LAID ON A FLAT SURFACE WITH THE
URETHANE SIDE UP. THIS IS NECESSARY
BECAUSE A FREE SPACE IS PROVIDED TO ALLOW
THE AIR CUSHION TO EXPAND IN THE UNLIKELY
EVENT OF ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT.
OTHERWISE, PERSONAL INJURY MAY RESULT.
7. Remove steering wheel fixing nut.
8. Apply a setting mark (1) across the steering wheel
and shaft so parts can be reassembled in their original
position, then remove steering wheel.
9. Move the front wheels to the straight ahead position,
then use steering wheel remover J–29752 to remove
the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel
in direction of the shaft by using a hammer or other
impact tools in an attempt to remove the steering
wheel. The steering shaft is designed as an energy
absorbing unit.
Installation
1. Install steering wheel by aligning the setting marks
made when removing.
CAUTION: Never apply force to the steering wheel
in direction of the shaft by using a hammer or other
impact tools in an attempt to remove the steering
wheel. The steering shaft is designed as an energy
absorbing unit.
2.Tighten the steering wheel fixing nut to the specified
torque.
Torque: 34 N·m (25 lb ft)
3. Connect horn lead.
4. Support the module and carefully connect the module
connector.
CAUTION: Never use the air bag assembly from
another vehicle. Use only the air bag assembly for
“VX”.
NOTE: Pass the lead wire through the tabs on the plastic
cover (wire protector) of inflator to prevent lead wire from
being pinches.
5.Tighten bolts to specified sequence as illustrated.
Torque: 8.8 N·m (78 lb in)
6. Connect the yellow 3-way SRS connector located
under the steering column.
7. Connect the battery “–” terminal cable.
8.Turn the ignition switch to “ON” while watching
warning light. Light should flash 7 times and then go
off. If lamp does not operate correctly, refer to
Restraints section.

[mikemol]

Thank you so much for the instructions. Once I get the removal tool and get it done - I'll post the pics.

[mikemol]

I was able to remove the steering wheel. Here is what it looked like before:



and here is how it looks now



How many differences can you count between the two pictures?

[99VC]

Mike that looks GREAT, where did you get it and how much?? Was it a direct bolt on, and does it have an airbag?? Again it looks great.

[PK]

Mike that looks GREAT, where did you get it and how much?? Was it a direct bolt on, and does it have an airbag?? Again it looks great.

Looks good Mike.
Nice to know they are interchangable.

PK

[mikemol]

Well, I guess everyone noticed the most visible change. Does anyone see any other changes?

well, not so much interchangable. It has airbag but the connectors do not fit. Moreover, the wires on the JDM wheel have two colors - black and yellow, the wires of the airbag of the US wheel have only one color - both of them are red. Go figure which one to connect to yellow and which one to red (those are the colors that come to the airbag connector from the car wiring). So first of all I need to find a connector that will work with a JDM airbag and replace the connector that is on the original wiring harness and then keep my fingers crossed hoping that I got the wires right. It's only 50/50 chances that I'll get it right. Right now the airbag is not connected and the airbag light is on.
If anyone knows if it makes any difference or not how those two wires are connected - please, let me know.

As far as the costs - it cost me about $300 in Russia and then my wife brought it over so I didn't have to pay for shipping.

[Ldub]

Well, I guess everyone noticed the most visible change. Does anyone see any other changes?

I see a couple...you've used almost 1/4 tank of petrol, & the wiper/cruise stalk is missing...

Looks Great!...

[mikemol]

I see a couple...you've used almost 1/4 tank of petrol, & the wiper/cruise stalk is missing...

Looks Great!...

Nope, there is something else that has changed. The fuel went back to what it was once I got it started. I wonder how long it's going to take untill someone gets my second mod.

[Ldub]

Nope, there is something else that has changed. The fuel went back to what it was once I got it started. I wonder how long it's going to take untill someone gets my second mod.

...didja paint the dash bezel?

[crotchrocket]

You painted the Isuzu Logo red!!!!

btw, i take my wheel on and off without a tool, just give it a tug!! Its my anti-theft device if i go away! MIND the SRS Coil!!!! the ribbon wire is fragile! and take the battery off about an hour before you remove the airbag.......just to be sure!

[mikemol]

Actually ISUZU logo was red when I got it. Is it not supposed to be red on JDM wheels?

So far my second mod is still unnoticed even though I spent more time on getting that done than on changing the steering wheel.

[SilverBullet75]

LOL... The SPEEDO!!!

NICE!!

I was look'n at it, thinking... uh.. I don't remember mine going up to 180mph
Then I noticed the km/h... Great job!

[mikemol]

LOL... The SPEEDO!!!

NICE!!

I was look'n at it, thinking... uh.. I don't remember mine going up to 180mph
Then I noticed the km/h... Great job!

That's it. Since I'm in Canada and we use kilometers I decided to change the panel as well. It was hard to reset it to the same odometer reading. I first wanted to set it to 84K kilometers as that's what 55K miles are about to but then I thought I might have questions raised by the local motor vehicle department (ICBC) so I changed the speedometer from 86K it had to 55K.

What is interesting now is that the odometer on the speedometer works and it measures distance in kilometers but it doesn't show my speed. The speed pointer is just dead at zero. Anyone has any ideas what could be wrong? Maybe I should take the speedometer head and put it in the US pannel instead of putting the whole JDM pannel in?

Also I still have this question about airbag unanswered - does it matter how I connect the airbag - there are two wires coming to it and the US stock airbag has two wires both of which are red. Does it make a difference if I connect them one way or another?

Here are the pictures of the pannels if anyone is interested: