Steering wheel removal..

My TD5 tracks nice and straight but the steering wheel is off to the left by maybe 1/8 turn.. not a big deal other than i can't see the fuel gauge.. Going to have a go at removing it and shifting round to central.. Anyone done this and do i need any special tools?

You might end up needing a pullers to get it off the colum. Also does it have an airbag? This will need disconnected in advance possibly, might be worth looking at Haynes for the airbag part as it could blow up in yer face....literally.

hammoj28 said:

You might end up needing a pullers to get it off the colum. Also does it have an airbag? This will need disconnected in advance possibly, might be worth looking at Haynes for the airbag part as it could blow up in yer face....literally.

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Cheers, as i understand it the battery needs to be disconnected for ten minutes before removal to discharge the airbag? I think i read that somewhere in relation to fitting cruise control which is next on my list.. I think you're right about the haynes though.. will have a hunt around for one..

Rezz said:

My TD5 tracks nice and straight but the steering wheel is off to the left by maybe 1/8 turn.. not a big deal other than i can't see the fuel gauge.. Going to have a go at removing it and shifting round to central.. Anyone done this and do i need any special tools?

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disconnect both battery leads 10 min. before u start to work....release airbag module(it's holded by two torx bolts from behind), disconnect multiplug and there's the steering wheel's self locking nut, u just have to discard it realign the wheel and put everything back.

sierrafery said:

disconnect both battery leads 10 min. before u start to work....release airbag module(it's holded by two torx bolts from behind), disconnect multiplug and there's the steering wheel's self locking nut, u just have to discard it realign the wheel and put everything back.

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superb thanks... do i need a new self locking nut?

Rezz said:

superb thanks... do i need a new self locking nut?

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No, u can reuse it without probs.

Rezz said:

Cheers, as i understand it the battery needs to be disconnected for ten minutes before removal to discharge the airbag? I think i read that somewhere in relation to fitting cruise control which is next on my list.. I think you're right about the haynes though.. will have a hunt around for one..

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is it not on that disc i gave you??

denrr1 said:

is it not on that disc i gave you??

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lol aye up fella.. my PC won't play it.. pile o ****e..

concentrate on the rotary coupler though....it's important(nr8)

sierrafery said:

concentrate on the rotary coupler though....it's important(nr8)

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Fantastic thanks... image saved..

If your steering is out by only a small amount, adjusting the drag link is normally easier. Release clamps, turn drag link rod with stilsons, retighten clamps. Repeat until steering wheel is straight.

I did the cruise control mode - I bought a kit with switches and the template off eBay for about 80 quid - best investment in a car I've ever made. I cut the hole for the steering column switch with a hot knife attachment on a Maplins gas soldering iron. Airbag isn't a problem - just make sure you have radio code before disconnecting battery. Make sure you store airbag with the metal base plate down - if it did go off, and the plate was uppermost it would go off like a rocket!

Good Luck!

If your steering is out by only a small amount, adjusting the drag link is normally easier. Release clamps, turn drag link rod with stilsons, retighten clamps. Repeat until steering wheel is straight.

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I agree with Graham and the Rave manual explains how to centralise it in some detail as well as stating that the steering wheel shouldn't be removed for small adjustments.
Cheers, Peter.

I agree too with the small adjustment thing....but the man said 1/8 turn, which means 45 degrees ...that doesnt look small to me.

sierrafery said:

I agree too with the small adjustment thing....but the man said 1/8 turn, which means 45 degrees ...that doesnt look small to me.

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mmm.. it's enough to block out the fuel gauge?

anyhoo, the fooking heater stopped blowing hot air on the way home tonight so it's getting booked in this week... had new rad two weeks ago, all been well since up till today.. i'n sure the sodding thing know's it's -5c! coolant levels fine, not overheating... thermostat possibly?

Graham Carter said:

If your steering is out by only a small amount, adjusting the drag link is normally easier.
Good Luck!

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I think from this thread we've established that removal is possible but a bit of a 'faff' . From that it follows that no one else has done it before and therefore the wheel is on the 'centralised' splines already!

Put the wheel to the straight ahead position and adjust the suspensin links to spec would be my option.

gazjacko said:

I think from this thread we've established that removal is possible but a bit of a 'faff' . From that it follows that no one else has done it before and therefore the wheel is on the 'centralised' splines already!

Put the wheel to the straight ahead position and adjust the suspensin links to spec would be my option.

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If a lazy mechanic or previous owner replaced the sterring box and wasnt carefull enough to centralize the steering wheel before he connected the steering column intermediate shaft the outcrop of this is an unstraight steering wheel.....unfortunatelly the only way to fix this without disconnecting the intermediate shaft is to remove than refit straight the steering wheel.