mikemann

I installed this last night....



Few things for anyone considering doing it themselves -

1.) I did not need the additional steering wheel puller kit that is listed in the instructions as additional tools required. I actually bought a generic one from autozone but never needed to open it. After I took the main "jesus" nut off, the wheel practically fell off into my hands. I didn't have to rock it back or forth or anything.

2.) I had to get an alignment after installing the wheel. After installing the wheel it was off center slightly. I even tried re-installing one spline over and it gave the same effect just opposite. Essentially when driving straight ,the wheel was off about 10 degrees. Car tracked straight as an arrow, the wheel just was off center when doing so.

The instructions give directions on how to adjust the tie rods yourself if needed, but I wasn't confident doing it myself.

The good news was, I got the alignment for free. I bought the car like 2-3 weeks ago, still had dealer paper plates. My xb was lowered from port with TRD springs and I just recently put on new wheels/tires. I sort of planned on getting an alignment anyways after the springs settled and with the new wheels. I got 250 miles on it, so the timing was pretty good.

Went back to the dealership, didn't say anything other than the steering wheel was off center. The gave me a full alignment under warranty. So despite it being a 2-3 hour wait time, I can't complain.

Love the way the leather wheel feels. It's great. 100 times better/nicer than stock. It's a pricey upgrade, but when you factor in the free alignment...YAHTZEE! ;-) haha

I also want to give credit where credit is due. I followed the instructions to the letter, but this post and walkthrough helped me out tremendously.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=133416

Thank You j3st3r!

Hope this helps others who may do this in the future....

-Mike

techgeekwill

Looks clean. If it is this easy, I may pick one up. I have a leather wheel in my Civic that came stock and it feels much better than in the box. Just miss the steering controls.

Zlog

You wont lose your steering controls with the leather wheel

stick_1NZ

Good job on the install. Looks clean.

mikemann

Thank you. I think the feel of the wheel with is well worth the price. I know it's an expensive upgrade by most standards, but end result was totally worth it.

Ned - when are you going to post new pics of your new wheels. Dying to see them! :-)

-Mike

stick_1NZ

Mike, sorry for the delay but I will post them as soon as I can get away from my busy schedule. The wheels are still sitting in my garage boxed up.

mikemann

Can't wait! I'm sure they'll look killer. :-)

Schmohey

How hard was it to take off the "Jesus" nut?

mikemann

Not hard at all. The wheel practically fell off once I removed the jesus nut too. I did not need a puller like the instructions indicate.

Schmohey

Did you need a gorilla to loosen that nut?

mikemann

No, why? you having problems? I just used a normal socket wrench...

Schmohey

On my other car (not the xB), I can't remove the nut... even with an impact wrench!

is yours the gray colored sports wheel or the black one?

mikemann

If you see above, I had the original stock plastic one and replaced it with the leather wrapped sport one.

Schmohey

Hey, I just installed the steering wheel too. Mine is slightly off like you mention. Did you just go to your dealer and asked for an alignment or did you tell them that the car wasn't going straight?

mikemann

I just went in and told them the steering wheel was off. They immediately said, oh you'll need an alignment.

If you're getting new wheels, wait till those get put on then you get a two-fer! ;-)

Schmohey

Sorry for revisiting this question. After the alignment, was the car straight (straight as in, it'll stay straight when you don't touch the steering wheel while going 60mph?) After the free alignment, my car seems to be pulling slight left within 3 - 5 seconds. This time, dealer wants me to pay $95 to get it fixed...

shinjakuroi

If only it was all black, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. As it stands the two tone is bleh to me and I think I'm going to have to stick with the wheelskinz kit. :-/

Schmohey

The two tone isn't that bad, it fits the interior a bit.