How-to Remove Airbag Steering Wheel & Buttons

[Rusty2009]

How-to Remove Airbag Steering Wheel & Buttons



First thing we need to do is disconnect the battery negative cable, so open bonnet and remove negative cover if fitted then using a 10mm spanner or socket undo and remove the terminal and move it out of the way





Allow 5 mins for the systems to totally shut down.

Turn the wheel 180 degrees



You need to get to the holes behind



then using a small screw driver or nail punch or allen key go in the round end and then pull to the side





This will move the metal poles that are holding the airbag in and pull the airbag carefully out towards you (if doing one side at time don't pull to much until you have released the second side)



With the Airbag off you then need remove the wire it just pulls up but be very careful as it is really stiff, If you wanted you could un-clip it from the connector at the top of the wheel just follow the wire up.





To remove the steering wheel first make sure the wheels are in the straight ahead position then un-cilp the connector plug undo the bolt (do not fully undo it) then pull the wheel towards you, once released remove the bolt fully and pull the wheel off.



If you want to remove the buttons from the steering wheel (This does not include the VXR steering wheel) then follow the steps for removing the airbag.

Once the airbag is off you need to remove the trim that runs around the wheel and buttons.



This is very tricky and you must take care or you may break the tabs.

First off unplug the connectors to the buttons the push tab is on the bottom of the connector





Then starting at the bottom and working your way round pries the trim up not too much then start again until the trim is off









Then to remove the buttons simply get hold of both sides and pull up and wiggle out again these will be tight.



On VXR steering wheels follow steps to remove the airbag then to remove the buttons its a case of pulling and going in towards the centre of the wheel.

[tucpal]

well done mate very helpful thanks

[Rusty2009]

Updated first post & thread title.

[tucpal]

thanks for this rusty came in very handy today well done

[tucpal]

Thanks Rusty you were Correct i had to Swap the Cruse Control and Limiter Button for my one That only has Cruse Control
As it Would not Work with my Car as i only Have Cruse on that Button
And my Speed Control can only be Done in the Menu and Not Via the Wheel Buttons.

But i Noticed the Toggle Centre bit on the new Wheel Buttons looked much Better
then my Pre Face Lift one or the none speed limiter one
so i Swapped the toggle Bit over to my cruse Buttons
And that now Feels much Better and Easier to use on the Cruse Control Toggle now.

So this is the speed limiter / cruse or Face Lift Cruse Buttons with my old Toggle.



And this is my standard cruse or Pre Face Lift Cruse Buttons with the New Centre Toggle.



I just had to Pries the Centre Toggle off and Swap Them Over.

Is that a Face Lift Thing then its so Much Better and a nicer feel to use.

[Rusty2009]

Think it's more of a switch thing to be honest mate.

[tucpal]

It was from the bi turbo flat bottom steering wheel
as the buttons would not work on my car I decided why not swap the centre bit over
as it looks much better cheers mate
so it is more of a if you have the speed limiter / cruse you have the better toggle

[sheppy1]

Can someone tell me which specific screwdriver they used (after Xmas day of course) for getting the middle wheel button off? I actually managed to snap my screwdriver trying to undo it! And also snapped the clips on the airbag connector too!

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[Rusty2009]

A slot head screw driver.

[sheppy1]

Oh... Ha. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly, I'll dig one out I was using H6 heads which failed! Hope the broken clips on the connector won't cause any issues!

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[sheppy1]

Well after trying for about an hour I gave up... That screw will not move... Actually ballsed my hand up doing it

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[Rusty2009]

Did you mean the bolt holding the steering wheel on?

If so it's a trox bit not 100% sure on size now tho.

I though you where on about the spring clips on the airbag lol.

[sheppy1]

Ahhhh! Haha. Yeah I was on about the bolt! I spent ages trying to get it off and gave up! I ended up ordering a T50 screwdriver (the kind it is apparently) so will be able to give it a go when it comes. Will the airbag blow if the cable comes loose??

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[Balou#14]

Yes it was a T50 or maybe even a T60 I believe. I had to go and borrow my fathers toolbox as T40 was the biggest I had.

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[sheppy1]

Hoping it was a T50 as I just ordered a set of them and they only go up to a T50! Still worried about the airbag connector

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[cornishtaz]

I used a T50 on a extension bar with crack bar on it, the bolt has thread lock on it.

Takes me 5 mins to do steering wheel change as done a few now

[sheppy1]

Okay nice one mate I just had to buy a new ratchet with a T50 bit, should be coming in about 3 days so I'll do it again then. Would anyone say I'd need to glue or tape the cable in place so it doesn't fall loose as I've snapped a clip on it?

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[cornishtaz]

You could put a small bit of tape across it for extra security but it shouldn't fall out

[Nemo]

I attempted this today, I just couldn't get the bolt undone, I even tried the heat method, in the end I just gave up

[tucpal]

get someone to hold the steering wheel and turn it the apostate way to what you are turning with the ratchet
when the loctite on the thread starts to move it will then turn easier

[Nemo]

Things got a bit mangled

[tucpal]

they did mate forsure you need to get that removed and replaced
i would take it to your local garage mate they will get it out no problems
its only a 10min job for them won't cost that much mate
but let them do it before that gets any worse

[Nemo]

Where can I grab a replacement?

[tucpal]

lookers vauxhall parts department they may even have one in stock maybe
you don't want to put that one back on when it is off thats for sure

[Rusty2009]

any dealer should have them on the self.

[Nemo]

Rang 3 different dealers and not one of them will do the wheel removal.

[Rusty2009]

Ring a small garage not a dealer mate


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[Nemo]

Gonna do, need a new bolt first

[Nemo]

Anyone got the part number for it?

[Nemo]

The bolts are only available via special order...

[Rusty2009]

Bugger I was meant to get you the part number this morning but totally forgot.

Can't believe it special order my dealer had it on the shelf.


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[Nemo]

Don't worry about it mate, I know I was shocked too, tried 3 different garages. Northern garages are pants apparently.

FYI the corsa D vxr gear knob does not fit the Astra j at all, you can't even modify it

[Kris]

did you sort it nemo? ill be doing this sunday how it goes ok lol.

[Nemo]

did you sort it nemo? ill be doing this sunday how it goes ok lol.

In the end yeah, but I ended up in a garage

[Kris]

oh god. what did you put on mate the vxr wheel?

[Nemo]

Bi turbo mate

[Kris]

Oh nice mate.

How can i get my airbag off without having those 2 small holes in this picture?

Infact underneath my steering wheel is all smooth no holes at all. I have like a hole with a bolt but thats like on the steering column?

[Nemo]

Turn the wheel upside down, you don't have two holes?

[AlexFitton]

I am having alot of difficulty getting the bolt off with a t50 bit and a rachet. Does anyone have any advice please?


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[Doraemon02]

Give a few knocks with a hammer on top of the T50, so that the screw would loose a little bit.

That's how I had mine removed, because it was also very tricky to get it out.

[Nemo]

Don't ask me, I ended up in a garage with it

[tucpal]

DO NOT KNOCK WITH A HAMMER

get someone to hold the steering wheel while you use the rachet
and get them to pull the wheel the opposite way

[cornishtaz]

When I removed them before I turned the steering wheel fully anticlockwise then rather than using a ratchet I used a breaker bar as you can put more torque on it, once you get it moving undo a couple of turns then turn it back clockwise keep doing this until it's loose as it'll help to remove the thread lock.

[AlexFitton]

Thanks il have to get a breaker bar and will also try the getting someone to turn the wheel.


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[Jankes86]

Hi all
i want to chang steering wheel for the one with buttons. Question is if the wheel with buttons will work with the radio that i got CD400? And do i need to delete airbag code? 61plate

[Rusty2009]

pull battery neq of 5mins before.

Sometimes a vci is needed to make controls work.

[scrooge]

Hi there,

I have one question, I tried turning the steering wheel without power before and it didn't budge much. Should I do the procedure with the wheel upside down before disconnecting the battery or should I just put more force on it?

[Rusty2009]

The steering is very heavy with the engine is not running so either more force to turn the wheel or do while engine is running before pulling the battery.

[scrooge]

Thanks, I tried the first option and it did in fact work. cheers

[M222RJF]

Ill be fitting my VXR steering wheel (Astra J VXR) to my GTC soon!

@thewhiteastra