i need to know how to do this, cuz i went to the junkyard today and i was dissapointed that i didnt come home with one!! grrrr, i didnt know how to take it off, do u need speacial tools for it? and also how do i take out the side moldings without breaking the tabs, i need the molding piece near the tail lights, plz help! thanks in advance! =)

 

bump

 

thers like 3 screws on the back of the spokes and then some wires and screws under the horn panel

 

how bout the molding strips without breaking the tabs??? really need those!!!

 

just get the entire steering column

 

i got a steering wheel in so cal if you want it... its a s5 wheel, willing to sell for cheap

 

did you get the steering wheel yet. anyway, this might help since i just changed my stock 86 gxl steering wheel to the 3 spoke one (got it for 5 bucks - perfect condition). there are screws holding the horn cover on the wheel. unscrew those screws and take the cover off. you will see the connection to the horn, just uplug that. then you will see that there is a nut holding the steering wheel on. i forget the size but get that off. then comes the tricky part. i used a rubber mallet to hit the area where the spoke connects to the handle part (the place you hold) a few times. then brace your feet against the floor (don't step on the gas or clutch or whatever, step on the floor) and holding the wheel at 3 and 9, wiggle and pull straight back at you. it should come off. if not, repeat the banging (you don't need to bang too hard) and repeat the wiggle and pull. hope that helps.

 

thanks, thats some good detailed info, now how bout the body strips???

 

anyone?

 

You got to unbolt the main nut on the steering wheel shaft. You also need a flywheel puller to pull the steering wheel off the shaft. It gets stuck on there pretty good. Old steering wheel, just pop off the mazda emblem. The newer ones, 3 screws on the back, philips. need a short screw driver.Bring a breaker bar becasue the nut is on TIGHT! I think 17, 19 or 21 mm. I don't remember.

Putting it on is easy!

 

yah but anyone know about the molding strips? im going back tommorow and i need to know how to get em off without braking the tabs.

 

The only way to get them off without breaking them is to get behind the panel and squeeze them before pulling them. I don't know how to do that in the back, as I haven't had to do it yet.

 

i haven't messed with the moldings yet either so i can't help. last time i touched the moldings (tried on a junk rx-7) i broke them. i heard you can get them off with a flat. wiggle it in and pry it off. i think the part you wanted, by the back, there are tabs so i don't know about those.

 

theres a special tool you would use for that, it looks like a two-pronged flathead screwdriver or something and its used for getting stuff with plastic prongs/studs whatever their called off without breaking them. you should be able to find one at any autozone for like 5 bucks.

 

sweet, ill look into that

 

Just use WD40. Had a helluva time pulling it off. Fought with it for 15mins. Then a squirt of WD40 slipped it off with no effort.

David

 

You will need a 20mm for the middle nut.

 

It's very difficult to take the mouldings off without breaking the tabs. After years in the hot and cold, they become quite brittle. If you end up breaking a tab, don't sweat it. Simply use body adhesive to stick the moulding to the car.

Oh, and while you are pulling the steering wheel off, put something between the wheel and your face. Trust me.