?getting airbag off - have undone hex nuts

pondweed · 6th December 2006, 15:59

done mikes "how to" for replacing my steering wheel, or at least the first section. My hex nuts appear to be loosening, but its difficult to tell.. and I cant move the airbag at all.

Are there clips around it too, or does anyone have any special techniques they used?
thanks in anticipation...

baxlin · 6th December 2006, 16:33

Hope you disconnected the battery, or you might not need to lift it off!!

No, I had no problem. The female hex screws holding the airbag are captive in the steering wheel, so won't come right out. The airbag on mine just pulled straight off once the screws were loosened.

HTH

Malcolm

pondweed · 6th December 2006, 16:44

yes, thats the only bit I've actually done!

hmmm... it sounds as if my adaptor isnt actually reaching the fitting then. its one of those t-handled things, so perhaps i should get a thinner dedicated tool...

baxlin · 7th December 2006, 09:21

Pondweed,

Yes, apologies, you saying that reminded me, I did have a problem, and that was it. It's the "tube" in the wheel backplate that's too small in diameter for a normal screwdriver bit holder to go in far enough.

I can't for the life of me remember how I got round it, but I do remember practising on the new wheel, as I could see what was happening more easily than upside-down on the one in the car! That's also how I remember that the screws are captive on the wheel.

If I get chance tonight I'll have a play on the old wheel I've still not got rid of.

Malcolm

baxlin · 7th December 2006, 17:20

Pondweed, I've had a play, and I recall now I bought a cheap set of torx bits from the local motorist centre, they were a few mms longer than my set, and just reached. Can't offer to send you the right one at the moment as my son-in-law has borrowed them ( can't moan, I used to do it all the time to my Dad).

Howver, I note that a 4mm Allen key is a reasonable fit, if a little loose in the 6 sided Torx, so you might get away with this. Try it on the new wheel, you can judge whether you think it would work.

Malcolm

pondweed · 8th December 2006, 16:35

thanks Malcolm - came to same conclusion and I've ordered some!
As the bolts ARE torx not hex, Mike needs to change that in the "how to", d'ya think? (or are they also referred to as hex? I'm never sure if hex are the same as allen too...)
jon

6th December 2006, 15:59	#1
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	?getting airbag off - have undone hex nuts done mikes "how to" for replacing my steering wheel, or at least the first section. My hex nuts appear to be loosening, but its difficult to tell.. and I cant move the airbag at all. Are there clips around it too, or does anyone have any special techniques they used? thanks in anticipation...

7th December 2006, 09:21	#4
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,960 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	Pondweed, Yes, apologies, you saying that reminded me, I did have a problem, and that was it. It's the "tube" in the wheel backplate that's too small in diameter for a normal screwdriver bit holder to go in far enough. I can't for the life of me remember how I got round it, but I do remember practising on the new wheel, as I could see what was happening more easily than upside-down on the one in the car! That's also how I remember that the screws are captive on the wheel. If I get chance tonight I'll have a play on the old wheel I've still not got rid of. Malcolm Last edited by baxlin; 7th December 2006 at 09:23..

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6th December 2006, 16:33	#2
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,960 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	Hope you disconnected the battery, or you might not need to lift it off!! No, I had no problem. The female hex screws holding the airbag are captive in the steering wheel, so won't come right out. The airbag on mine just pulled straight off once the screws were loosened. HTH Malcolm

6th December 2006, 16:44	#3
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	yes, thats the only bit I've actually done! hmmm... it sounds as if my adaptor isnt actually reaching the fitting then. its one of those t-handled things, so perhaps i should get a thinner dedicated tool...

7th December 2006, 17:20	#5
baxlin This is my second home Volvo C70 Convertible and JZR 3 wheeler Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tring, Herts Posts: 3,960 Thanks: 124 Thanked 173 Times in 124 Posts	Pondweed, I've had a play, and I recall now I bought a cheap set of torx bits from the local motorist centre, they were a few mms longer than my set, and just reached. Can't offer to send you the right one at the moment as my son-in-law has borrowed them ( can't moan, I used to do it all the time to my Dad). Howver, I note that a 4mm Allen key is a reasonable fit, if a little loose in the 6 sided Torx, so you might get away with this. Try it on the new wheel, you can judge whether you think it would work. Malcolm

8th December 2006, 16:35	#6
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	thanks Malcolm - came to same conclusion and I've ordered some! As the bolts ARE torx not hex, Mike needs to change that in the "how to", d'ya think? (or are they also referred to as hex? I'm never sure if hex are the same as allen too...) jon