how easy is it to remove the steering wheel from its column? i know you have to remove the airbag first but do i then need any special tool or "elbow grease" to get the wheel off? thanks

 

easiest way is to go to your local auto parts store and get a steering wheel puller!! ^_^ thats what i did anyways

 

All I used was elbow greese, very little. I don't see why you would need to go and buy something extra.

 

well if you want to spend the money and buy it you can, other wise i just rented it for like an hour

 

there is no reason to buy or rent one they pull off very easy. just loosen the nut some and then pull hard. the nut is left on so you dont bust your mouth when you pull

 

Well, it is FREE to rent it. Just give them a deposit (which is usually the price to purchase the puller), and when you return it, you get your deposit back.

You would have to remove the airbag first. Usually on most steering wheels, there are two holes (one on each side), and you have to stick a flat screwdriver in there and twist (this release the clip for the bag). after the bag is off, just use the steering wheel puller. Its pretty straight forward from there.

 

Ours is held on with screws. I think they are the star pattern. It's been a while since I've had mine off.

 

The airbag wont deploy if you pull the steering wheel off?

 

You can take the safe route, and disconnect the battery, unplug the airbag (if its really necessary), do your thing, plug the airbag back in, and last, plug in the battery. If doing your thing requires the use of your car, thats okay, as long as you unplug your battery again before you put your airbag in. You don't want a small current setting off the airbag, and knocking you out.

 

Thanks that was some good info, so much needed info because I want to change out my steering wheel because its ugly and does not feel right.

 

If you are not going to use the airbag again, then no need to disconnect the battery. Just unplug the airbag. If you do end up plugging it in, you should disconnect the battery before hand.

 

Where do you disconnect the airbag from?

 

once you remove the two screws on the side of the steering wheel, the airbag comes off and you have to unplug three plugs holding bag (two for the bag and one for the horn)

 

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while you people are on the steering wheel subject....how do you remove the two silver pieces on the 06 xB wheel? im going to paint them like i've painted the rest, but i was just curious before i go prying and breaking things lol.

here is a picuture of my interior and the pieces i want off.

 

I want to see the Corolla hatchback. give us a bigger picture.

 

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i think he ment the exterior....

 

lol i think so too. though this was good infor as I'm getting ready to put in the Sparco wheel I've had hanging around forever

 

yeah the exterior because I never seen a corolla hatchback.