Removal

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before proceeding, review Warnings and Cautions. Service Precautions .

WARNING: When an undeployed airbag module is to be removed from the steering wheel, first disconnect the battery ground cable and isolate it. Allow the system capacitor to discharge for a minimum of two minutes, then begin the airbag removal.

1. Disconnect negative (-) cable from battery and isolate it.









2. Remove three screws securing driver airbag (1) to steering wheel (5).
3. Tip driver airbag outward, then disconnect two squib wiring connectors (6) and horn wiring connector (2). Remove driver airbag.
4. Remove squib wiring routing clips (3, 4) from steering wheel.

5. Place front wheels of vehicle in STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.
6. Remove ignition key from ignition key cylinder.









7. While holding steering wheel (1) firmly in place, remove steering wheel retaining bolt from steering column shaft in center of steering wheel.

CAUTION: When installing a wheel puller on the steering wheel, be sure the puller bolts are fully seated in the threaded holes on the steering wheel. If the bolts are not fully seated in the threaded holes, the threads may be stripped out of the steering wheel when attempting to remove the steering wheel. Take care not to over-thread the puller bolts such that they contact the clockspring possibly damaging it.
Also, threading the retaining bolt back in the end of the shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between the wheel and the head of the bolt allows a safe reaction surface for the puller to work against.

8. Thread wheel retaining bolt back into end of steering shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between wheel and head of bolt.
9. Install steering wheel puller on steering wheel.

CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.

10. While holding steering wheel firmly in STRAIGHT-AHEAD position, remove steering wheel from steering column shaft using puller. Remove puller, wheel retaining bolt and steering wheel.