Steering Wheel: Removal

WARNING:

DO NOT PLACE A NON-DEPLOYED AIRBAG FACE DOWN ON A HARD SURFACE, THE AIRBAG WILL PROPEL INTO THE AIR IF ACCIDENTALLY DEPLOYED, AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY.
DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE BEFORE BEGINNING STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION. THIS WILL DISABLE THE FRONT AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL FRONT AIRBAG MODULE DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
ALLOW THE FRONT AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE FOR TWO MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING THE STEERING WHEEL OR ANY FRONT AIRBAG SYSTEM COMPONENT.

Adjust the steering wheel so that the tires are in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position.
Open hood.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Remove the driver airbag. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL)

While holding the steering wheel firmly in place, remove the retaining bolt securing the steering wheel to the steering column shaft. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Steering Wheel Components

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - STEERING WHEEL RETAINING BOLT

2 - SPEED CONTROL SWITCH CONNECTOR

3 - HORN SWITCH CONNECTOR

4 - AIRBAG CONNECTOR

CAUTION: When installing a wheel puller on the steering wheel, be sure the puller bolts are fully seated in the threaded holes on the steering wheel. If the bolts are not fully seated in the threaded holes, the threads may be stripped out of the steering wheel when attempting to remove the steering wheel. Take care not to over-thread the puller bolts such that they contact the clockspring possibly damaging it.

Also, threading the retaining bolt back in the end of the shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between the wheel and the head of the bolt allows a safe reaction surface for the puller to work against.

Thread the wheel retaining bolt back into the end of the shaft until approximately 13 mm (0.5 in.) of thread is showing between the wheel and the head of the bolt.
Install a steering wheel puller on the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Do not bump or hammer on steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing steering wheel from steering column.
While holding the steering wheel firmly in the STRAIGHT-AHEAD position, remove steering wheel from the steering column shaft using the puller.
Remove the wheel retaining bolt and the steering wheel. Take care to feed the wires gently through the holes in the steering wheel.