Steering wheel re-installation

[ssp996]

I am about to replace my steering wheel with a OE 3 spoke steering wheel. My question is should I use Loctite on the airbag screws and also on the main center screw? Any other tips? I have seen the OBC hack page which describes in detail how to do it but it doesn't mention anything on this. I would add that it helps to unlock and move the steering wheel (using the telescoping feature) all the way out to get further space for the airbag screws. I also did a trial run to see if I could do it (before my new one arrived) and I noticed that those screws are really locked-in, and I am guessing because of Loctite. I also noticed that in reconnecting the battery, it took a little while before the car knew what to do with the automatic lowering of the side windshield when you open & close the doors. I almost broke the window before I realized what happened. So anyone doing this, watch out for that windshield-make sure it lowers.

[Tool Pants]

Another person who needs the DVD. We filmed the 3/4 spoke steering wheel swap on 2 cars, and one of the swaps is on the trip computer DVD.

You mark the position of the old wheel in relationship to the shaft. You also mark the new wheel so that when you put it on the shaft it will be straight.

The screws take effort because the have blue loctite. If your 3 spoke does not have the screws then you need to buy them, as they are different then the 4 spoke screws. When we put the air bag on we do not use loctite - but it would not hurt. If you follow the shop manual it says not to reuse screws, but we do. New screw have loctite on them. If you want to torque them it is 7.5 foot pounds.

The 24mm nut on the shaft does not have loctite - it has a spring washer. Torque is about 35 foot pounds.

After the battery is hooked up you run the widows all the way up and down several times to reset them. Jeff

[ssp996]

Thanks,

Where do I get your DVD?

[gery]

ssp,

one word of advice, from archives, use proper tools and avoid stripping screws. I DID, PITA and ended paying dealer to drill them out

[Tool Pants]

Yes, have the right tools and do the job right. I have removed/replaced/swaped about 35 steering wheels over the years. Never a problem, but it helps to have knowledge. The swap is 11 minutes on the DVD. I must be getting slow.

This is a picture of the one we did 4 days ago.

[Kevin M.]

Hey Jeff.. how do you reset the airbag light.. I installed a Carbon Fiber on my friends, I took it for a drive to make sure the wheel was straight, I didn't tighten the airbag down, in case I had to adjust the wheel.. anyway a few miles into it, I forgot and punched it.. of course the airbag flew into my lap, and unplugged.. Its in the garage now, with battery disconnected... I tried a battery reset but that didn't work.. does the dealer need to reset it? Or will it clear in the morning?

[gery]

Funny Kev. LOL

"Or will it clear in the morning?"

I am still waiting for my CE light to reset itself

[Tool Pants]

We cover on the video how to mark everything so that when you put a wheel back on it is straight the first time. A near little trick the ex shop foreman at my local dealer showed me.

Also, if the air bag is permitted to hang from the harness you will break the plastic pins on the air bag spiral spring due to the weight of the bag.

The battery disconnect will not work on an air bag light. Dealer has to turn it off with the PST2.

[ssp996]

Toolpants, do you have a webpage to order your dvd? Or maybe you can e-mail me the info. if you are not allowed to place such info here?

[Tool Pants]

We are working on a discount for RennTech members. In the past people only wanted the set of 3 DVDs, but I can understand someone may only want 1 DVD, such the B&M DVD. So we have to think about that. A blank DVD-R is much more expensive compared to a CD. Stay tuned.....

9X6 Werks DVDs

[ssp996]

Toolpants,

It looks like a great set of dvd's. I would be interested in one, obviously, the one with the steering wheel swap. I don't see a need for all the other ones since my 996 has most of what you are showing (litronics, obc, etc.). I hope the purchase of one dvd is doable for you.

[Tool Pants]

Loren has set up a special offer section for registered RennTech members only.

If you have a dealer swap your wheel or you break a part doing it yourself it will cost you more than the set of DVDs. At this point there are no plans to sell an individual DVD. Plus if you watch all of them you will learn alot about other things you might want to do - or you can help your local Porsche owners. Jeff

[PeterC4Cab]

Tool Pants:

I have a friend who sells blank DVD's and his price is very good. I send you an e-mail with his e-mail on it. Give him a try.

Peter Liao