DIY: FTO Steering Wheel Changing

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jonowong
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DIY: FTO Steering Wheel Changing

Post by jonowong »

<img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... C00587.JPG">

<br><b>Consumables</b>
<li>FTO Boss Kit ($65)

<b>Tools</b> </li>
<li>19mm Socket ($4.99)</li>
<li>380mm Breaker Bar ($14.99)</li>
<li>Phillips Head Screw Driver ($2)</li>
<li>Hex Key Set ($5)</li>
Total Cost (+tools): ( $91.98 )
Total Cost (-tools): ( $65.00 )



<b>.:Introduction:.</b>
So you've decided your stock steering wheel looks rubbish and you want to
upgrade to an aftermarket steering wheel, there's many to choose from on the
market, the main brands people buy are momo, isotta and sparco. Most aftermarket
steering wheels are designed not to collapse on impact so you will need to buy a
boss kit that will collapse on impact to compensate for this, it is also illegal
and a defectable offence to replace a steering wheel that has an airbag with one
that doesn't. So do this at your own risk I will not take responsibility for any
injury to any persons, personal or third party as this is a recount of what I
have done and not to be used as a guide to change your steering wheel.

<b>.:Step 1 - Prepare:.</b>
To prepare for the removal of the stock steering wheel, open your engine bay and
disconnect the negative terminal of your battery, this is to prevent your horn
from going off while working on the steering wheel or blowing the horn fuse. As
you can see in these pics my dash is on, this is because I wanted to listen to
music whilst changing the steering wheel, this is not recommended. Also make
sure the steering wheel and wheels are straight, so when you put the new
steering wheel in, you know what angle to place it at.


<b>.:Step 2 - Removal of the Horn:.</b>
There is 1 Phillips screw holding the horn to the steering wheel, the location
is pictured below. Unscrew it, and pull the horn out from the bottom. It should
come out with ease. Disconnect the wire connection for
the horn and place the horn aside.<br>
<img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... C00580.JPG">



<b>.:Step 3 - Unbolting the Steering Wheel:.</b>
after taking out the horn, it should look like the photo below, unscrew all the
screws if your socket isn't long enough, if it is don't worry about the screws and then use your 17mm socket attached to the breaker bar to unbolt the
steering nut in the middle. Be careful as it is fairly tight and be careful not
to smash your windscreen with the breaker bar. Once the nut is off, pull on the
steering wheel and rock the steering wheel left to right and up and down to
loosen it, it will be very tight, this might take some force. Some people use a
wheel puller tool, but I don't think its necessary, unless you have the strength
of a 6 year old. Once its off it will look like the second photo.<br>
<img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... .JPG"><img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... C00583.JPG">


<b>.:Step 4 - Attaching the Boss Kit and Aftermarket Steering Wheel:.</b>
Now you will need to do this step carefully as you want the steering wheel to be
straight, if your off by a hole, your steering wheel be to one side while your
driving straight, and you'll have to realign the wheel again. Place the boss
onto the column and pull the horn wires out as you don't want them stuck inside
the boss kit when you install the horn. Align the steering wheel to the boss kit
by rotating the boss kit till the steering wheel is in the right direction. Then
use your hex key and secure the steering wheel in place.<br>
<img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... .JPG"><img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... C00585.JPG">


<b>.:Step 5 - Wiring up the horn:.</b>
Connect the green wire from the boss kit and the steering wheel to the horn, you may
have to bend the back of the horn connector on the horn as it might not fit
inside the boss kit. The horn should ground itself on the boss kit. If not use
the horn spacer provided with the boss kit so the horn fits snug in the boss kit. Now once that's done drop the horn
button into place.<br>
<img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... C00586.JPG">


<b>.:Step 6 - Finish Up:.</b>
Now just screw the face plate back on the steering wheel and reconnect the
battery and go out for a test drive. </font></font><br><br>
<img src="http://members.optusnet.com.au/jnpoperf ... C00587.JPG">




THEN WE'RE DONE HERE
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dstocks
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Nice

Post by dstocks »

Nice,

Ill add that one to the guides on Complete FTO ;)

http://www.completefto.com.au/CompleteFTO.asp?aid=492
Complete FTO (http://www.completefto.com.au/completefto.asp)
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    If you are trying to contact me and not getting a quick answer, its because im disorganised. Hassle me and ill get back to you
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    Supplanter
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    Post by Supplanter »

    It is a good idea to partly undo the bolt, then loosen the steering wheel, that way the wheel can't fly off and hit the window or your face) because the nut is still in the way.
    LED ALL the things.
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    Bennoz
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    Post by Bennoz »

    ^^^ Very true.

    Nice guide thou! :)
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    mr-charisma
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    Post by mr-charisma »

    380mm Breaker Bar ($14.99)
    come on... was the breaker bar absolutely neccessary?? :lol:

    cool guide - gw :)
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