How to Install Sport Steering Wheels

Sport steering wheels can give you extra control while driving by providing a sturdier surface that conforms to the shape of your hands. Installing a sport steering wheel requires organization on your part, since there are many small parts involved.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Conventional puller
• Pencil

1. Disconnect the car battery and the fuse for the horn before you install a sport steering wheel. Uninstall the horn mechanism, using a screwdriver to remove the horn ring from the steering wheel assembly.

2. Remove the wiring for the horn by twisting it out from its plastic sleeve. Take care not to damage the sleeve or the wires, in case you want to reuse them with the new sport steering wheel.

3. Take off the shaft retainer clip and the shaft nut on the old steering wheel. Mark the top of the shaft with a pencil so that you will be able to center the new steering wheel.

4. Pull off the old steering wheel by placing a conventional puller into the two holes at the center of the shaft and pulling straight toward you. The old steering wheel should slide right off with ease.

5. Install the new sport steering wheel by inserting the new metal sleeve in the main shaft of the steering column. Rotate the shaft until it lines up with your pencil mark.

6. Rotate the steering wheel hub until it lines up with the metal sleeve and the contact tube for the horn wiring.

7. Reconnect the wiring and plastic sleeve for the horn before you install the new sport steering wheel. You may have to cut down the plastic sleeve to get it to fit back into the shaft assembly.

8. Slide the wire lead that came with the new steering wheel into the plastic sleeve. One end of the lead will be wider than the other; this is the end that should be inserted in the existing horn contact tube.

9. Install the hub, post cover and new steering wheel assembly onto the steering column, making sure that the wiring is routed in the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. Use the supplied shoulder bolts to secure the steering wheel to the column. Do not tighten all the way.

10. Place the retainer clip back into position, checking carefully to see whether the steering wheel is properly aligned.

11. Tighten the shoulder bolts until the steering wheel is secure.

12. Reconnect the horn wiring, the horn fuse and the battery. Test the new steering wheel to ensure that the front wheels are responding correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• Always straighten out the front wheels on your car before you remove the steering wheel. This will ensure that you put the new steering wheel on straight.