Steering wheel Replacement DIY Guide
DISCLAIMER
As always, follow all safety protocols. Don't undertake this task if you aren't comfortable with it, fully understand it, and are capable of completing it. The information provided may be incomplete or inaccurate. You are ultimately responsible for anything you do. Neither Redpants, LLC or myself is responsible or liable for anything that may occur.
This is a pretty easy job to do and only takes a couple of tools. I needed to do this when I replaced my original steering wheel with one wrapped in Alcantara, but it’s the same process for any steering wheel.
Needed
Steering wheel (optional)
T30 Torx bit
T50 Torx bit
Ratchet and short extension for the above Torx bits
Loctite or similar
Small flat-head screwdriver (recommended)
Painters tape (recommended)
About half an hour
Torque Ratings
Steering wheel bolt: 40 Nm. (29.5 lb/ft)
Air bag bolts: 9 Nm. (6.6 lb/ft)
Step 1
Insert the car key. If you have the older Volvo-based key, turn it to position 1. If you have the newer crystal key, push it into position 2. This will release the electronic steering column lock and allow you to rotate the steering wheel without having to run the engine.
Step 2
Disconnect the car battery. Wait a couple minutes to allow any residual charge to clear. This will help prevent the airbag from accidentally deploying while doing this job.
Step 3
Turn the steering wheel to one side until you can access the T30 Torx bolt on the backside of the steering wheel. Remove that bolt.
Turn the steering wheel to the other side until you can access the T30 Torx bolt opposite the one you just removed. Remove that bolt as well.
Step 4
Carefully put the airbag module away from the steering wheel to release it from the snap fittings holding it in place.
Do not pull it completely away from the steering wheel! It is still connected by some wires.
Turn the airbag module over as much as you safely can so you can see the wiring on the back. Flip the yellow safety tab up on one of the connectors and then press in on the sides of the connector to release it from the airbag module. Pull the connector away from the airbag module - straight back from its rear side, do not try to slide the connector along the surface of the airbag module. Repeat for the second connector, then set the airbag module aside.
Step 5
Loosen (but do not remove) the T50 Torx bolt in the center of the steering wheel. Once there is some space between the steering wheel and steering column, slide a thin flat-head screwdriver between them to release the steering wheel wiring harness.
Once the wiring harness is disconnected, you can remove the T50 Torx bolt and steering wheel.
Step 6
Use a piece of painters tape to keep the plastic rotary coupling aligned (use the red tab and corresponding notch for alignment). Guide the airbag wires through the hole on the steering wheel, then carefully press the steering wheel in place. Apply Loctite (or similar) to the T50 Torx bolt and then start threading it into place. Before tightening that bolt, remove the painters tape.
Step 7
Connect the steering wheel wiring harness then reconnect the two connectors to the airbag module. Make sure the wiring is safely positioned while you set the airbag module back in place, then press it in to snap the three snap-fittings back in place.
Step 8
Install the two bolts on the backside of the steering wheel by turning it one way and then the next (reversing Step 3), then reconnect the battery.
And that’s it!