Steering Wheel Removal

[XLT4.0]

I have a '96 Explorer and I just purchased a newer steering wheel. What is the best tool and auto part store to get one?

Thank You!

 

[Robb]

The main specialty tool you will need is a nice, medium sized, 2 jaw gear puller. The best thing to do is remove the airbag so you can see what you are up against. The puller will need to grab the top and bottom of the steering wheel frame, but there isn't a lot of room in there to fit the jaw "teeth." From memory, there is only about 1/4" or so. Just keep this in mind when you go to get a puller, because a puller with too large of teeth won't fit in those gaps. Don't purchase a steering wheel puller, it probably won't help you much. Gear pullers can be purchased at Sears, Lowes, etc.

TO BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-A) remove the airbag fuse (s)
-B) remove the dash under panel under the steering wheel (the plastic piece and metal piece). You should see a wire with thick yellow insulation around it. There should be a coupling plug on this wire, seperate it.

Start with the steering wheel centered. On either side, on the back, of the wheel frame, you will see two plastic plug covers, remove them. Then remove the two screws under these covers. The airbag should lift away at this point (for safety, I sit off to the side when messing with an airbag). You should find another yellow insulated wire under the airbag, disconnect the plug. Then you disconnect the CC plugs, remove the big nut, then time for the puller.

Installation is just reversed.

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

Oh Robb, you are so smart

i was putting in my air horns and i blew a "something sring" which controls the horn and criuze control, is this easy to find and replace?

 

[Bottomlesspit]

XLT4.0,
I just removed and added my new leather wrapped steering wheel last week. Just like Robb said, I used a 2 jaw puller I bought at Auto zone. My puller has 2 different sized jaws to use...small on one end and larger on the other. Real simple, just place the small jaws around the top and bottom metal parts of the wheel center, screw down the center bolt, and POP off comes the wheel. Takes all of 5 minutes including disconnecting the air bag. A steering wheel puller will not work.
Hope you get it worked out soon.
Ken

 

[MONMIX]

1993,
it is called a clock spring
the dealership has them easy task.

FYI Ford air bags have stored power in them. Disconect the battery and wait a few mineuts ( 10 to 15 ) before disconecting the bag. Safety first and greatly reduses the risk of an SRS code.

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

1993,
it is called a clock spring
the dealership has them easy task.

FYI Ford air bags have stored power in them. Disconect the battery and wait a few mineuts ( 10 to 15 ) before disconecting the bag. Safety first and greatly reduses the risk of an SRS code.

thanks like i said MONMIX, you are so smart

1st i do not have air bags

2nd does anyone have a pic of there "jaw gear puller" or is it the same thing as a pulley puller? b/c i know what a pulley puller is

thanks charlie

 

[Bottomlesspit]

This is the puller I used. Anything similar should work just fine.
Ken

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

wow never seen one of those before,? this is what i was thinking of.

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

still no pic???? huuuuuuuuummmmmm?
can some one help?

ps

I bougth my wheel puller works great,
i pulled the wheel and i found that nothing looked bad, so i call ford and they said i do not have a CLOCK SPRING

is it the flat thing that looks like a flat trailer wire plug?
if some one tells me how to post pics i will thanks.

thanks