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How do I disassemble my steering wheel

Tiny
SHNICKLY
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,358 MILES
I have a 1998 ford expedition and my steering wheel is coming loose and I would like to tighten it up. Is there anything I need to do before taking it apart. Will the airbag go off. Ive never messed with a steering wheel with an airbag and the last thing I want is for it to go off in my face. Thanks.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:28 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
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That is a very viable concern. Airbags can be very dangerous and really should be left to the professionals. The bag has to be disabled before removing it and many require special tools to remove them.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:41 PM
Tiny
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Well I have unscrewed it from behind the steering wheel. Im just wondering if I unhook the wires if it will trigger something. Lol. What happened is my powersteering pump went out the other day and I just continued to drive it cause I don't have the money to get it replaced just yet. Well the other day while I was driving I heard almost what sounded like a crunch inside the steering wheel/column. After this the steering wheel has just been getting looser and looser.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:44 PM
Tiny
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Also will disconnecting the battery disable it from going off accidentally?
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
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People have been seriously injured doing what your doing with the battery connected. Disconnect the battery and let it set for 15 minutes before touching it again.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
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Ok then what do I need to do? There are two wires I figured one was the airbag and one was the horn. One has a black plastic sleeve on it with a red clip on the end. And the other has a yellow sleeve. Would you know which to take off? Also the black one is on the top of the unit and the yellow on the bottom. Didn't know if that would help or not. Thanks.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
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There should be plugs directly under the bag to disconnect. Make sure you really want to attempt this. There is a lot of potential for damage here.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
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Really? Even with the battery disconnected? Is there anyway to do this without running a huge risk? I really don't have the money to take it to the shop.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
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I'm not talking about danger now, just damage to expensive parts in that column if your going to attempt to take it apart. Touch the battery cables together after disconnecting them and that should discharge all the capacitors and make it safe.
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
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So take both battery cables off touch them together and then it is safe to take it apart without it depoying? Also does what I described earlier about the crunching sound. Sound like anything imparticular to you?
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
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Closing out question
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Friday, March 11th, 2011 AT 4:31 PM

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