How do I get an '05 Air Bag off to change Steering Wheel?

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wht-v6-vert

Banned

Jul 6, 2005

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Jul 17, 2005

#1

• Jul 17, 2005

• #1

I want to change the steering wheel in my 2005. Does anybody have any experience with removing the 05 steering wheel air bag? I can't see any screws on back of the wheel and was wondering if there is a Ford tool required.

Thanks for the help.

 

G

gp001

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Jun 30, 2001

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Jul 17, 2005

#2

• Jul 17, 2005

• #2

Run into something with the car

Sorry, I have no idea but could'nt resist posting that. Believe me, I tried.

 

C

ctfordguy

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Mar 31, 2005

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Jul 17, 2005

#3

• Jul 17, 2005

• #3

I would disconnect the battery, turn the car to the on position to verify that no power is being stored. After that you can do pretty much what you want as the air bag cant deploy without power.

 

afixer

The Informant

Apr 3, 2005

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Jul 17, 2005

#4

• Jul 17, 2005

• #4

as much as i love this forum it drives me crazy i have both the airbag and stewering wheeel removal in pdf files i cant post them because they are too big ill email them to you if you give me your email
Tom

 

afixer

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Apr 3, 2005

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Jul 17, 2005

#5

• Jul 17, 2005

• #5

wht i just sent gp001 the pdfs hopfully he will post them soon be carfull air bags are explosive take your time and good luck
Tom

 

G

gp001

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Jul 19, 2005

#6

• Jul 19, 2005

• #6

Sorry for the delay guys. My hosting company was having problems witht the ftp.

Here they are. Thanks afixer

Steering wheel removal
Air bag

 

Jenns01TA

Active Member

Mar 31, 2005

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Jul 20, 2005

#7

• Jul 20, 2005

• #7

I love you afixer.... Can I have your knowledgebase?

Jenn

 

Edbert

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Jul 13, 2002

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Nov 15, 2006

#8

• Nov 15, 2006

• #8

Just getting ready to do this on my 05.

Read through and have two questions...

1.) When it says "depower the system" what does it mean? On the old girls this would be disconnecting the B+, but I suspect it means more than that these days.

2.) On step 4 (page 211-04-2) it says to discard the bolt that holds the wheel on after removing it. Are they serious, do I need a new bolt when I put it back on?

 

srothfuss

Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row

Oct 17, 2004

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www.sleeve02.com

Nov 15, 2006

#9

• Nov 15, 2006

• #9

Just a legal note here - it's 100% illegal to disable or remove the airbags on any street car the was equiped with them from the factory.

Now a couple pointers:

Even though the power is off for the bag charge, they can still go off.

1) No HEAT around the bag (open flames, cigarettes, lighters)

2) Don't jerk the canister too much as that is liable to set off the charges as well

3) At least wear some eye protection for the just in case scenerio.


That is all....

 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

May 1, 2005

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Nov 15, 2006

#10

• Nov 15, 2006

• #10

Edbert said:

Just getting ready to do this on my 05.

Read through and have two questions...

1.) When it says "depower the system" what does it mean? On the old girls this would be disconnecting the B+, but I suspect it means more than that these days.

2.) On step 4 (page 211-04-2) it says to discard the bolt that holds the wheel on after removing it. Are they serious, do I need a new bolt when I put it back on?

Click to expand...

always disconnect the negative battery cable (B-) first!! before servicing the airbags, you need to wait at least 10 minutes after you disconnect the battery to be sure there is no power stored in the system. the airbag system does store a little power!!

i assume that the bolts are one time use only. i am not familiar with the S197 systems, but they could be a torque to yield type bolt. just get the new bolts, could mean the difference between life or death if there is a malfunction.

 

S

Spdfreak

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Feb 21, 2006

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Nov 15, 2006

#11

• Nov 15, 2006

• #11

Just curious. Why would one want to remove the airbag?

 

Edbert

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Nov 15, 2006

#12

• Nov 15, 2006

• #12

Spdfreak said:

Just curious. Why would one want to remove the airbag?

Click to expand...

The airbag has to come off in order to get access to the bolt that holds the wheel on. I intend to put it back

 

anthony05gt

Active Member

Mar 18, 2006

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Nov 15, 2006

#13

• Nov 15, 2006

• #13

Hey guys, I've already swapped steering wheels on my '05. I called 7 second Don Burton to ask the same question. (He's a top Ford tech here in Maryland)

You do not have to disconnect the battery. Pop the 2 plugs from behind the steering wheel at the 3:00 and 9:00 position. Remove the bolts that are behind the plugs. Carefully lift the airbag/horn switch assy. Unplug the wiring harness from it. Remove the steering wheel mounting nut. Pull the steering wheel off and cruise control switch harness plugs. Reassemble. It will take all of 5 minutes. Put red loctite on wheel mounting nut.

 

bigcat

start with the upper hole, and if more traction is

May 1, 2005

3,015

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7200 feet

Nov 15, 2006

#14

• Nov 15, 2006

• #14

i disagree about the battery. the number one saftey rule when working on airbags is to disconnect the battery to prevent accidental deployment of the airbag systems.

you may get away with not disconnecting the battery, but it is better to be safe.

 

GOLDENPONY

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Nov 15, 2006

#15

• Nov 15, 2006

• #15

bigcat said:

i disagree about the battery. the number one saftey rule when working on airbags is to disconnect the battery to prevent accidental deployment of the airbag systems.

you may get away with not disconnecting the battery, but it is better to be safe.

Click to expand...

A BIG +1

 

JTGrant

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Aug 2, 2005

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Nov 16, 2006

#16

• Nov 16, 2006

• #16

if you don't know what you are doing with airbags, then don't mess with them!!

 

Edbert

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Nov 16, 2006

#17

• Nov 16, 2006

• #17

JTGrant said:

if you don't know what you are doing with airbags, then don't mess with them!!

Click to expand...

Oh that's a nice bit of help there Francis. I ask if the term "depower" actually means more than disconnecting the battery and you equate that to not being capable of pulling two bolts and a couple of electrical connectors. As if your UTI "degree" makes you a scientist of some kind...it's a trade school, and despite their propoganda, just one of many...get over yourself.

I have a masters degree and almost a dozen certifications in the computer industry but don't go around telling folks they are not qualified to install a video card or HDD in their PCs. If someone were to ask how to determine which is pin-1 I'd answer their questions instead of telling them they are incapable.

Around here we usually try helping one another out rather than acting like some sort of elitist and belittling them. So does your advanced education (lmfao) allow you to reply to the simple question of a peon like myself with an actual answer instead of snide remarks?

 

JTGrant

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Nov 16, 2006

#18

• Nov 16, 2006

• #18

actually I was top of the class and got accepted to BMW STEP. Which is a program that is very hard to get into. The technology BMW uses is cutting edge and high tech. I was just saying that I have seen and heard of horror stories of people getting hurt messing with airbags. I was not trying to be a smartass. Just looking out. I was not saying that you weren't smart enough. You took it the wrong way, there was no need to respond like that. Just because you have a masters degree doesn't qualify you to be working on airbags. If you knew how to work on them then you wouldn't be asking. I did not mean to come across in that way. On cars produced before 95' wait at least 30 minutes and on cars after 95' wait at least 10 minutes after disconneting battery power. To allow the capacitors in the modules to discharge.

 

srothfuss

Last night I stabbed the same guy 7 times in a row

Oct 17, 2004

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Nov 16, 2006

#19

• Nov 16, 2006

• #19

Actually - there is a certification program that all automotive suppliers must attend in order to handle just a "live" airbag container.

All we are saying is that, the bag is a very dangerous object and you should take very serious precautions to handle it. They can be removed - just take your time and don't drop them..

 

red05bullitgt

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Nov 16, 2006

#20

• Nov 16, 2006

• #20

I don't mean to sound offensive or anything ? but why would anybody in their right mind want to install an aftermarket steering wheel with no airbag for ?? Not only is it illegal under federal law but it's also there for the driver's protection in case of an accident..Maybe it's just me and a sign of approaching middle age or something but I just don't understand how something as trivial as changing a steering wheel could be worth taking the possible risk of one's life over..