How to: Steering wheel removal

[RedRum]

I couldn’t find any info about taking the steering wheel off of our ‘06+ trucks, so I decided to do a write up about it in case anyone ever had to do it, and wanted some pointers.

What you will need: ½” wrench, Phillips head screw driver, Torx T-20 screw driver, 10mm socket, 13 mm socket (I used a ¼”drive for the 10mm because to limited area to work, and a 3/8” drive with extension for the 13 to get to the steering wheel nut, a ½” drive may have been even better for more leverage), felt tipped pen (not pictured)


Park your truck with the steering wheel 90 degrees either left or right from being straight ahead. This will give you access to the two bolts you need to remove later in the process.
Start by using the ½” wrench to disconnect the grounds of the batteries. Don’t forget to do both sides! Allow about 2 minutes to discharge the air bag system. You wouldn’t want to accidentally set it off, although it would be funny to see, it could hurt you.
Use the torx driver to remove the tilt steering lever, and the three screws securing the steering column covers.




Carefully remove the top and bottom sections of the steering column covers, and set aside


Now use the 10mm socket to remove the two bolts on the back of the steering wheel assembly. There are two holes on either side, but the bigger holes are the ones with the bolts. It may help to tilt the wheel up or down to get access to the bolts.



With these bolts removed, you will be able to lift the air bag assembly up, but don’t get carried away, there are wires that need to be disconnected!


There are two plugs with yellow wires that need to be disconnected. They are color coded, so don’t worry about mixing them up. Also, use the screwdriver to release the white plug for the horn. Set the air bag assembly aside.


Now, use the 13mm socket to remove the bolt in the center. Its really tight, so just apply steady, even pressure to break it loose. This bolt has thread lock on it from the factory. After the bolt is out, remove the silver thing-a-ma-jig (for lack of better terms)with black rubber and set aside.

Use the Phillips screw driver to remove the 4 screws holding the plastic back piece to the steering wheel. This will also allow you to pop out the cruise control assemblies. (If you have steering wheel audio controls, you will need to unplug that as well. See photo for location of this plug.

A little hint: make a line on both the steering wheel and the steering link with splines on it, in the center. This will help to you put the steering wheel back on in the correct position when reassembling. There’s nothing more annoying than driving straight down the road and your steering wheel is crooked! Also, note the little blue knob, and how it lines up with the depression in the steering wheel.


Double check that you have everything that needs to be disconnected is, in fact, unhooked. Pull on the steering wheel to free it from the splined link. NOTE: IT TAKES A LITTLE MUSCLE TO YANK/WIGGLE THIS SUCKER OFF. BE ADVISED, WHEN IT COMES LOOSE, MORE THAN LIKELY IT WILL COME ALL AT ONCE! WATCH YOUR FACE! I’VE TAKEN MY STEERING WHEEL APART TWICE, AND BOTH TIMES, I’VE WACKED MYSELF IN THE FACE. AS I SIT HERE TYPING THIS, I STILL HAVE A HEAD ACHE FROM EARLIER TODAY. LIKE THE AIRBAG THING, THIS COULD BE FUNNY TO BY STANDERS, BUT SUCKS IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU!
With the steering wheel off, this is what you will have.

Remove the plastic backing piece, and set aside.


This is what you will have when finished.



Re-assembly, is the opposite of disassembly!

__________________
2007 3500 QCLB, 5.9, ISSPRO, AFE Stage 2, AF1 intake horn, Smarty, SB 3600#, Straight Piped with 6" Mitres, 6" lift, Bilstein 5100s/dual steering stabs., trac bars 37" BFG M/Ts, CUMMINS FORUM STICKER!May 2009 ROTM-Thanks to James @ RSD for stepping up!
2006 3500 QC Bighorn, 6 speed, No silencer ring, B&W turnover, other than that, stock
"I Caught that diesel thing, now it stings when I pee"

[Paccool]

RedRum, thanks for the great article. The pictures really help out other folks. Thanks for taking your time to take the pics and do a good write up, just wish we could get others to help out as well.

Stan