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steering wheel

1.6K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  SaabDriver87  
#1 · (Edited)
Is it possible for me to put a 9-3 steering wheel from a 1999 9-3 into my 1997 NG900? If so... how do I remove the steering wheel without deploying the airbag.

EDIT - while I'm asking for help, how do I remove the orange repeaters on the blinkers? I heard somewhere you take the amber lenses out somehow... I have a few spares so i wanna give it a go.
 
#2 ·
Yes it is possible but you will need the upper half of the '98+ steering column in order to fit the newer style steering wheel, I did this on my convertible and fitted a Sport/Viggen steering wheel.
 
#3 ·
Alright so... Anyway you can guide me through this? I have the upper half, I have both halves haha, I'm just lost to say the least.
 
#5 ·
EDIT - while I'm asking for help, how do I remove the orange repeaters on the blinkers? I heard somewhere you take the amber lenses out somehow... I have a few spares so i wanna give it a go.
Amber lenses are quick and easy to get out. All you need is a long flat blade screw driver. Set the tip on the lip edge of the amber insert and pry it out to get the glue to break its bond. Once you've got it free grab a set of needle nose pliers and start breaking it into little pieces to get it out through the bulb socket.
 
#6 ·
If you have both halves it would probably be easiest to just swap the whole column out.

Anyone else, I'm not infallible, so please chime in if I miss a step or forget something as its been a while since I've done this.

First, take the airbag off of the steering wheel. Remove the little plugs from the back of the steering wheel and pull the two 30 torx that hold the airbag to the wheel. Unplug the airbag and set aside. Remove the nut/bolt that holds the wheel on and slide the wheel off of the column.

You need to remove the lower kick panel and duct work for the vents. There are two 13 mm nuts toward the top that you need to remove and about mid way down the column there is a bracket that bolts to the dash via a 10mm bolt and at the base where the universal joint connects to the rack, there is a 13 mm bolt that you need to remove. You're on your own for getting it out as I don't even remember how I did it.
 
#10 ·
If you have both halves it would probably be easiest to just swap the whole column out.
When I did it, I thought it was easier to just replace the top half. I couldn't ever get a good purchase on the pinch bolt at the bottom of the column. If I remember right, once the column is unbolted enough to let it drop down, the upper half just slides off. I would recommend greasing both halves up, because I didn't, and my column doesn't telescope very smoothly any more.
 
#9 ·
Pried, may have damaged the hole a little, a piece popped off but I glued it back on, will this matter in making it water tight? I'm glad it was a spare haha...
 
#11 ·
I just figured if he had the whole column it would be easier to just swap the whole thing. I did the upper half when I did mine and ran into a shit load of problems, granted there were a number of factors working against me.