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Steering wheel swap guide - 6G Celicas Forums

Topic #44319 146 posts Started by malpaso
At last I had some time for another upgrade. Steering wheel swap... My stock one was 4-spoke with airbag/horn in the middle.
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Just history now biggrin.gif. Since today I have this one wink.gif genuine 7th gen. Celica/91-04 MR2 st. wheel.
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>>Although horn mechanism and airbag connector were different everything is working now>>. And I'll try describe here how generally do that... believe it will be handy for anyone wink.gif

step no one: remove old steering wheel
Two screws on sides (behind small covers) holds airbag part
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There are just two plugs inside. That yellow one is for airbag and white is horn (there is possibility also for cruise multi switch, where are many more wires. Horn wire is black, every time that last on right connected to wheel body)
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When you unplug everything + unscrew nut in the middle you should remove wheel with puller (w/o that it's not possible at all)
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step two: solving airbag connection
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Different airbag connector means find right module (spiral) for it...
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...or use same airbag refill wink.gif
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Of course... some customization should be done if airbag refill has different size (more are different, more custom work is needed). My one was just bit different... and airbag part was easy take into parts.
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step three: solving horn connection
This step depends on type of horn you have. However every time it's about find how horn mechanism works, cut black wire off old wheel and connect it somewhere... It really depends on that horn mechanism. However it's really easy, just one wire to screw... somewhere wink.gif.

step four: piece everything together
Installation of new wheel body (with same center bore of course) is easy...
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...and in my case screw horn cable to airbag body (not wheel body like stock one)...and all finished biggrin.gif.
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This post has been edited by malpaso: Jan 6, 2007 - 4:27 PM

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
Very nice thumbsup.gif

Past: V6 Swapped 6G Celica, E46 BMW M3, Jeep Wrangler TJCurrent: 850rwhp C6 Corvette Grandsport, Gen1 6.2L Ford Raptor
very nice guide. this will be very helpful to the 6gc community. thanks!
nice i like it a lot. How much did you get the stearing wheel for?

<--- I miss :'' (
Nice Job Martin thumbsup.gif

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
thanks for posts and PMs. Here is additional info:

7th gen/MR2/MR-S st. wheel. Where and how much?: I have that st. wheel from e-bay for 250USD (here is another one, red stitched wink.gif)
Why not "how-to article"?: Yes, this should be "how to swap 7th gen st. wheel" article, but only for Euro models. Thanks to snapshotgt I know you have bit different wiring in US (because of that cruise control switch). Euro celicas don't have that at all... That means in US you must swap also that switch -> customize body of that new wheel (cut some hole or anything) and mount it somewhere (some screws in right place???). That's why I rather call it "guide" wink.gif
Is airbag really works? Are you sure?: Yes, airbag really works. When you turn keys on, every time runs "airbag-check" (airbag control light on for a while). If it's something wrong with check, control lights all the time. That's why I'm sure... Of course second way to prove it is crash biggrin.gif.
Do you have part # of that 7th gen module? Will it work in 6gen celi?: par number is not problem wink.gif 84306-32030. And, no I'm not sure it will work with 6gen celica... frown.gif. I don't have that module (I didn't want to spend another 50USD), it's just a general option and possible way to try.

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
Nice swap dude! That 7th gen steering wheel looks 100x better!

-TomazWSwww.tomazws.com
aww. i guess i wont be doing it. US import cars are gay.

<--- I miss :'' (
Excellent work, congrats!!!!

This post has been edited by Rockford: Jan 7, 2007 - 11:20 PM

Celica ST202
Which size is the puller?
100mm, 150mm or 200 mm ?
Need to know asap because Im removing my steering wheel right now : )
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QUOTE(CelicaSweden @ Feb 10, 2007 - 3:19 PM) [snapback]525678[/snapback]
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Which size is the puller?
100mm, 150mm or 200 mm ?
Need to know asap because Im removing my steering wheel right now : )


That one I have is 3'' (cca 76mm)

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
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QUOTE(malpaso @ Feb 10, 2007 - 10:43 AM) [snapback]525686[/snapback]
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QUOTE(CelicaSweden @ Feb 10, 2007 - 3:19 PM) [snapback]525678[/snapback]
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Which size is the puller?
100mm, 150mm or 200 mm ?
Need to know asap because Im removing my steering wheel right now : )


That one I have is 3'' (cca 76mm)


okey, is that a speciel one for just our celi or is it a universal tool ?
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QUOTE(CelicaSweden @ Feb 11, 2007 - 9:16 AM) [snapback]525876[/snapback]
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QUOTE(malpaso @ Feb 10, 2007 - 10:43 AM) [snapback]525686[/snapback]
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QUOTE(CelicaSweden @ Feb 10, 2007 - 3:19 PM) [snapback]525678[/snapback]
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Which size is the puller?
100mm, 150mm or 200 mm ?
Need to know asap because Im removing my steering wheel right now : )


That one I have is 3'' (cca 76mm)


okey, is that a speciel one for just our celi or is it a universal tool ?

universal one bought in local store...

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
7th gen/MR2/MR-S st. wheel. Where and how much?: I have that st. wheel from e-bay for 250USD (here is another one, red stitched )
Why not "how-to article"?: Yes, this should be "how to swap 7th gen st. wheel" article, but only for Euro models. Thanks to snapshotgt I know you have bit different wiring in US (because of that cruise control switch). Euro celicas don't have that at all... That means in US you must swap also that switch -> customize body of that new wheel (cut some hole or anything) and mount it somewhere (some screws in right place???). That's why I rather call it "guide"


Now what if i took out the cruise control.. does that mean i dont need to mod the new wheel or do i still need to put that dead switch in the new wheel???
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QUOTE(Excursion745 @ Feb 12, 2007 - 5:18 AM) [snapback]526071[/snapback]
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Now what if i took out the cruise control.. does that mean i dont need to mod the new wheel or do i still need to put that dead switch in the new wheel???

If you will remove cruise control (that means you will not use it in your car anymore) you should do same steps like I did, plus:

1. remove cruise control switch (for sure it should be removed)
2. modify wiring harness (same plug is used for horn and cruise control switch -> you must cut anything but horn).

For example:
In picture below is plug (white, bottom of picture) and 4 wires. White, white+black-stripe, red, black. That black is horn (must stay) rest you should cut, because those are wires for cruise.
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that's all

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
I was lucky enough to get my hands on some 7th gen parts at a good price biggrin.gif

from this

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and about an hour later this

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sorry about the night pic, but I just finished. I'll get some day pics tomorrow or so.

Martin, the way I did it was easier than the way you did - no airbag repacking, just a splice here and there wink.gif also, I used the 7th gen cruise switch (it's wired different than the 6th gen) so I'm 99% sure it works, I just need to road test it.

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
nice. now i'm really thinking about doing this mod. what did you do different from martin's how-to?

ss-iii splitters and 404 skirts areon. which means i need to update my sig.
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QUOTE(Batman722 @ Feb 28, 2007 - 4:56 AM) [snapback]531085[/snapback]
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I was lucky enough to get my hands on some 7th gen parts at a good price biggrin.gif
...
Martin, the way I did it was easier than the way you did - no airbag repacking, just a splice here and there wink.gif also, I used the 7th gen cruise switch (it's wired different than the 6th gen) so I'm 99% sure it works, I just need to road test it.

I'm glad someone had all parts from 7th gen (particularly 7th gen module/spiral) and made it different way...

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So, am I understand right, you have used that module and it works even with cruise control??? More info please!!! smile.gif

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
the 7th gen clockspring (spiral) does not fit in the 6th gen. I simpily cut the connector off the 7th gen spiral and used it on my 6th gen one. Both have 2 wires, blue/black and yellow. It made the swap a 15-30min job. As for the cruise it get's a little tricky. The 7th gen switch has 2 wires from it (red and white) and the 6th gen has 3 (red, white, and white w/black stripe). You just have to find the right combination of 2 wires. I tried a few before I got it, I think it was w/bck to white, and white to red (from 6 to 7)

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
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QUOTE(Batman722 @ Feb 28, 2007 - 2:52 PM) [snapback]531202[/snapback]
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the 7th gen clockspring (spiral) does not fit in the 6th gen. I simpily cut the connector off the 7th gen spiral and used it on my 6th gen one. Both have 2 wires, blue/black and yellow....

yea... but you have 50% chance to connect it bad an deploy it wink.gif. Any way to be sure which one is which?

I had black/red on 7th gen and red/red on 6th gen... kindasad.gif

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This post has been edited by malpaso: Feb 28, 2007 - 9:31 AM

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
Martin NO !!! I cut here wink.gif not the bag connection itself

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I had the 7th gen spiral wthat connects to the 7th gen airbag, the piece you didn't have wink.gif

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
cunning wink.gif

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
There is also a 6th gen steering wheel that looks like that. Mine came with it. The only difference is the center part where the airbag is has embossed Toyota symbol and texture that matches our interior. I have seen them in junkyards before. This should make a much easier swap I would think although I haven't tried it [obviously]. Here is a pic of my stock steering wheel:
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Sorry it's crooked but that was the only shot of the wheel that I had. Also several other cars came with it like Supra for instance if you can find one.
correct. The 98-99s had a 3 spoke also. IMO the 7th gen airbag looks better and is a lot easier to find.

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
and some more pics

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I still need to clean and shine it up but I think you guys get the point.

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
are all 7th gen steering wheels the same? do any come with leather?
i have a spare 3-spoke non-airbag 6th gen steering wheel from my sister's 94 6th gen and that wasn't wrapped in leather.. the wheel is thick and has a lot less grip.
anyway, my search for the jdm cf supra wheel continues.....

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QUOTE(azian_advanced @ Mar 1, 2007 - 8:25 AM) [snapback]531611[/snapback]
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are all 7th gen steering wheels the same? do any come with leather?
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ehm... my one is leather biggrin.gif

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wink.gif

No more replicas... This is evolution... This isSS-four:)________[Featured Celica of 6gc.net @ 2010]_________
So is my stock 3 post. Well pleather or whatever Toyota uses LOL.
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QUOTE(azian_advanced @ Mar 1, 2007 - 2:25 AM) [snapback]531611[/snapback]
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are all 7th gen steering wheels the same? do any come with leather?

do they all fit the same with the airbag ? yes. There are 3 7th gen wheels that I know of.

the leather wrapped wheel as Martin pictured

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the non-leather wheel that I have

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and the leather wrapped GT-S wheel

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I went with the non leather because I had removed my leather interior (seats/wheel/knob) and went with more of a cleaner look IMO, just keeping it simple and more subtle. I have seen so many leather wheels and knobs showing their age being worn and I'd rather not deal with that issue a few years down the road.

my st205 swapandour Beams swap
even though o wasn't replacing my steering wheel, I was fixing my horn, this helped a great deal...Thanks...btw i took my pillow off without a puller...