diy for steering wheel change

[aucorium]

has anybody changed a steering wheel on a yaris yet? if so , i wanna put on a momo , but im looking for a DIY? any help would be greatly appreciated!

[kimona]

What about the airbag?

[Kaeon]

Originally Posted by kimona54

What about the airbag?

Apparently he doesn't like the way his face looks now, no air bag = a free make over

[BailOut]

You two are aware that all you have to do to disable the airbag is disconnect the negative battery cable, right?

[Meteorite Man]

Originally Posted by BailOut

You two are aware that all you have to do to disable the airbag is disconnect the negative battery cable, right?

That applies to maintenance, not driving around "knowing" the airbag won't deploy because you disconnected the negative cable.

And when the car dies 'cause the battery is not hooked up there is not much of a chance of a frontal collision while parked on the side of the road.

I thought there was a "loop" that controlled the ignition/operation of the car. When the bag does deploy, the car will not operate. The bag sensor has to complete this electrical "loop" to tell the car it's ok to operate. I'm thinking someone who is better versed in this will step forward. The aftermarket kit must have an "override" part/device that will continue this "loop".

I'll wait for the expert, should be here at anytime....always is.

Chuck

[brickhardmeat]

Originally Posted by aucorium

has anybody changed a steering wheel on a yaris yet? if so , i wanna put on a momo , but im looking for a DIY? any help would be greatly appreciated!

I think etimago has a momo.

[joey1320]

you will have to disconnect the battery. remove the airbag and the steering wheel. you'll need an adapter of some sort to install the aftermarket steering wheel.

thats it pretty much. and i'll rather not have an airbag on my car. i have seen what they can do and i'll take my chances with the seatbelt on. planing on removing my stock wheel and going with a momo also, great quality.

[punch]

Originally Posted by joey1320

. i have seen what they can do and i'll take my chances with the seatbelt on..

please provide some links, I'd like to read up on this claim of yours... I have seen what they can do also, and thats save your head...

[drifto]

lol i have to agree with not having an air bag. i hate to say it but most times your face is hurt more with the bag than without. that bag deploys in milliseconds and ive seen a few friends including myself get facial burns due to it. just wear your seatbelt thats all. so whatever not to get off topic... they sell adapters that keep the srs drivers airbag circuit shorted (simulates there being an airbag present) just search sites that carry hubs and steering wheels, easy to find. and its pretty difficult to blow-up an airbag installing a st.wheel. unless your applying voltage to it, which if you are your insane. some details may be off but most cars are the same.
1.disconnect the neg. battery cable and wait for 2min. straighten wheel so it is at 12 o'clock
2. unplug the srs connector at the bottom of the steering wheel. it is yellow
3. there should be 2 torx bolts one on each side of airbag, remove them.
4. pull off airbag.
5. remove wires for horn .
6. mark steering shaft and hub for alignment for later when putting in new wheel. remove steering hub bolt, usually 17 or 19mm
7. use a pull hammer to remove wheel, but if not available with 2 hands pull wheel towards yourself, might have to rock back and forth a little . it might be tough, so be carefull not to smack yourself in the face with it when it pops off its not that bad really, anyone here can do it. the most important part it making sure the new wheel is aligned properly.

[joey1320]

Originally Posted by punch

please provide some links, I'd like to read up on this claim of yours... I have seen what they can do also, and thats save your head...

sorry man i don't have any links to back up my claim but i have friends who have had accidents with and without the airbags on their cars and the ones with the airbags ende worse than the ones without.

maybe just crazy luck, but i really don't care, i'm going aftermarket anyways.

[Thai_Dang]

Originally Posted by joey1320

sorry man i don't have any links to back up my claim but i have friends who have had accidents with and without the airbags on their cars and the ones with the airbags ende worse than the ones without.

maybe just crazy luck, but i really don't care, i'm going aftermarket anyways.

Lol search youtube for toyota yaris crash test for the most obvious proof that airbags would save you. Looks like w/o airbags, your head would be skewered by the steering column. W/o side airbags, your head would leave the car cabin and smash into whatever's out there.

A common misconception about seatbelts are that they keep you bolted to the seat during an accident. Seatbelts are there only to slowly reduce your traveling energy, just like car crumple zones. Your body is still allowed to travel to extend the distance in which you're decelerating. If seatbelts were totally restraining, you'd suffer massive internal injuries imho. The driver side definitely needs an airbag, because the steering column is so close, lots of potential for skewering.

Keep your airbag please. If you mod, mod at your own risk, but don't advise others to disable things that would save their lives if they personally aren't modding.

[hystria]

Originally Posted by joey1320

you will have to disconnect the battery. remove the airbag and the steering wheel. you'll need an adapter of some sort to install the aftermarket steering wheel.

thats it pretty much. and i'll rather not have an airbag on my car. i have seen what they can do and i'll take my chances with the seatbelt on. planing on removing my stock wheel and going with a momo also, great quality.

In this case, I'll strongly suggest replacing the stock seatbelt with a 5 points harness. Stock seatbelt is modified to work with the airbag. Take a look at crash test videos. The upper part of the body is NOT retained by the diagonal belt. The upper body always moves towards the steering wheel and impacts the airbag.

Some time ago, a guy in a civic had a frontal crash at 35mph. His honda civic had aftermaket steering wheel - no airbag. His girlfriend walked away, but the guy had thorax injuries - broken ribs - after hitting the steering wheel even though he was wearing the seatbelt. The car had only front damage.

No airbag = the head/thorax will 100% hit the steering wheel in a crash at 15mph or more. Take care

[punch]

and you will get the airbag warning light, without it...

also good luck, if you happen to get in an accident and the airbag is missing, not much luck suing for face repairs.

[kimona]

I wonder what your insurance company will think if they become aware that you have disabled or worse removed the airbag. And, will they cover you in case of an accident.

Somehow, I think you could be in for a mess of trouble.

Sorry, but what's up with some of you guys... wanting to disable DRL's and airbags?!

[brickhardmeat]

Originally Posted by kimona54

I wonder what your insurance company will think if they become aware that you have disabled or worse removed the airbag. And, will they cover you in case of an accident.

Somehow, I think you could be in for a mess of trouble.

Sorry, but what's up with some of you guys... wanting to disable DRL's and airbags?!

I just think you wouldn't get the air bag discount.

Airbags are for sissies.

[redyaris]

Originally Posted by kimona54

I wonder what your insurance company will think if they become aware that you have disabled or worse removed the airbag. And, will they cover you in case of an accident.

Somehow, I think you could be in for a mess of trouble.

Sorry, but what's up with some of you guys... wanting to disable DRL's and airbags?!

As hard as the headlight bulbs are to get to I quickly disabled my DRLs. They are not neccessary in my opinion. Just Toyota reacting to government overregulation. I dont need headlights on in broad daylight.

As for the airbag Im not touching it. Its the only protection you'll ever have in a frontal collision.

Here's the last Yaris owner that removed his airbag. Im not into this fashion statement.

[kimona]

Actually, I don't think there is any insurance discount for the driver's side airbag. Front airbags are required standard equipment in all later model cars and are assumed present and fully functional by insurance companies.

Try telling your insurance company you have removed the steering wheel airbag and installed an aftermarket steering wheel.

Good luck!

[Meteorite Man]

I think I'd take the burn....1st degree, hell I get that trying to pull my fishsticks out of the oven. Unless you can tell me you're an emergency responder, I'll believe what I think is a good idea.

I'm in no means discouraging the mod. Sounds pretty unique. I thought the steering wheel mod went out with the popularity of the airbag. Everyone does what they feel they want to or need to. I just don't see where there is a pro/con debate for airbags.


I think one time you do not want the airbag to go off is if you are smoking a pipe. I don't mean the kind "some" of you use recreationally, the kind dear old grandad used to puff away on. That would be a bad day.

Chuck