Thanks to rains_crusader, I had the hints needed to finally tackle a project I have been looking forward to doing. And that is to replace my steering wheel. Which you will see.

There seemed to be a lot of grey area on this topic and I didn't want to take any risks with an airbag popping off on me trying to do this, and I don't want it happening to anyone else either, so here is a proper how to!
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Tools:

thin, flathead screwdriver
13/16" socket, socket extension, ratchet
pliers
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Procedure:

FIRST! CAUTION! You have to disconnect your battery. Atleast the negative side. I did both just to be safe. Allow the car minimum 10-15 minutes to have all residual power drain from the emergency systems. I waited 25 to be safe. This is crucial to not having an airbag punch you in the face.

Make sure your wheel is locked in position, preferably right at the straight position as such (also a 'before' picture )



Locate the small holes on either side of your steering wheel, as shown below. You will need to take your thin flatblade screwdriver, and poke into the hole on each side. you will feel it push up on a tab, and push it in until you feel it give. this will pop out the airbag on one side. You need to then hold that side, while pushing the blade into the other side to release that tab.



There are two connectors on the back of the airbag that need to be disconnected. To do this, take a pair of pliers and GENTLY pull up on the yellow tabs. Then, the connectors pop out with a light tug. After doing so, ever so gently put the airbag on the ground and slide under the car, out of the way.



Next, there is the steering wheel harness. This needs to be unclipped.
NOTE The connector is on the steering wheel clockspring, and the clockspring will spin freely once the wheel is removed. be careful to not let it move much or at all, for ease of reinstallation.
To unclip, you need your flatblade again. Push the two tabs in on the top side of the plug, under the ridges.
one tab is the one the screwdriver is going to in the picture; the other is just to the right of it.

unclipped.


Now take your 13/16 socket on a ratchet extension and ratchet, and undo the big bolt in the middle of the wheel. You may need to hold the wheel between your knees tightly to do this, as the bolt is held in strong!

Leave the bolt on, by just a few threads, so that in the next step, you don't punch yourself in the face with the wheel


Simply tug back and forth on both sides of the wheel to release it from its seat. After its loose, take the bolt the rest of the way off, and bam, the wheel is out.

Here's what its getting replace with in this case... a wheel wrapped in alacantara from redlinegoods!


put the wheel in its spot, start the nut, push the wheel all the way into it's seat and tighten like the wind! be sure the clockspring is still in its upright position.
plug the harness back in, and get your airbag back.
push the connectors into the airbag and then push the clips back down.
push the airbag in and it will simply click into place.
reconnect your battery, make sure no one is sitting in the drivers seat just in case the airbag wants to go off...

and done!

 

You should get the monte carlo ss center cap. Great right up and nicely done man. I really like the way it turned out.

 

seems easy.... now this makes me want to do it !!!

 

Good looking wheel rice
Do you know if the procedure is different for 08-10?

 

It ought to be the same way as the 05-06 wheel

 

Good info to know

 

oh cool it go approved thanks yall, hope it comes to use for some people

 

Very nice Adam!

 

Dat **** look gooood

 

Dew it to your car ^

 

Nice! Thanks! I really need to do this since the leather on my 05 is completely trash. Anyone know where to get a stock replacement wheel?

 

approved! yeah, the 7-10 wheels are the same for removal. The clips in the wheel are a little trickier to release. That wheel looks great!

 

thanks!^

ebay, or the poster above me miight still have one for sale?

 

Well I'm glad I stumbled on this. Will be using this for my wheel in the nnear future. Thanks!

 

no problem have fun

 

Legit how to. Had the old one off and new one on in less than an hour, including cleaning the new one.