Steering wheel retaining nut. Is it special?

The haynes bumper book of fun says to discard the steering wheel retaining nut and fit a new one when refitting the steering wheel.

Is this a special nut or are haynes being overly cautious?

is it a special colour..... like light blue?

G-man said:

is it a special colour..... like light blue?

Click to expand...

The haynes pictures are mono so it'd hard to tell, but it looks like a plain locknut. I've not taken the air bag off yet so haven't seen mine.

i would guess its re-usable but don't come crying to me when yer wheel comes off whn yer flying yer kite

Galen said:

The haynes pictures are mono so it'd hard to tell, but it looks like a plain locknut. I've not taken the air bag off yet so haven't seen mine.

Click to expand...

If I might suggest, disconnect the battery negative and leave for 20 mins before attacking the steering or you'll regret it

The airbag comes off easily after undoing the two bolts from behind the wheel.

The wheel itself comes off after removing the nut, but it does take some proper pulling to budge it !!!!!

G-man said:

i would guess its re-usable but don't come crying to me when yer wheel comes off whn yer flying yer kite

Click to expand...

I'm going to stick a note under the dash that says "G-man said it was ok to re-use the steering wheel nut. Honest"

thebiglad said:

If I might suggest, disconnect the battery negative and leave for 20 mins before attacking the steering or you'll regret it

Click to expand...

It's discharging the capacitor now.
Coffee n sandwich time whilst waiting i think...

to be honnest in all the years i was working at a dealer i never once waited to take an airbag out........ i never had one go bang on me! i set a few off out of the car prior to disposal though dunt half go bang i had a reg for setting them off but it got left at the garage when i left btw you need 12v to set them off we tried using smaller batteries but the only thing that worked was a car battery

G-man said:

to be honnest in all the years i was working at a dealer i never once waited to take an airbag out........

Click to expand...

Better to be safe than bruised

G-man said:

i set a few off out of the car prior to disposal though dunt half go bang

Click to expand...

Did your experimentation involve seeing what items they'd launch when triggered?

Galen said:

Better to be safe than bruised



Did your experimentation involve seeing what items they'd launch when triggered?

Click to expand...

for the reasons of heath and safety no (read yes but it was fooking scary! and i think i would rather not have that much explosives so close to my face!!!)

G-man said:

for the reasons of heath and safety no (read yes but it was fooking scary!

Click to expand...

I could not have resisted the temptation to try and launch stuff with them

Time to go and remove the air bag.

they will launch engine blocks next one i remove i will setup to launch stuff and video it

G-man said:

they will launch engine blocks next one i remove i will setup to launch stuff and video it

Click to expand...

That's the spirit. I'd like to see that

Air bag, steering wheel and annoying rotary coupler are off.
The nut doesn't look to be anything special. Nylock type with a flange at the steering wheel end.

Anyone know how the rotary coupler comes apart?

It's all held together by a plastic hub and 11 lugs that are melted over.

Easy enough to get apart, but it's fubar. The flat cable has broken.

:doh: :violin: