I found this too. Check out post#2 for a couple of PDFs:

http://www.gtrlife.com/forums/topic/46513-steering-wheel-removal/page__hl__%2Bsteering+%2Bwheel+%2Bremoval__fromsearch__1

 

^ Thanks! Yes I found those and they are very helpful in addition to several posts in 370Z forums. I think I have enough info as I purchased the T30 Torx bits and I now just need to go purchase some replacement torx bolts.

I was just curious if in addition to the printed instructions are there any lessons learned to be aware of prior to digging in.

 

What advice do you need? I've swapped steering wheels on the GT-R more times that I remember. I've got it down to 7 minutes to swap the wheels total.

You can reuse the OEM bolts, but Nissan suggests replacing them. The process is as follows:
* disconnect negative terminal of battery
* wait about 10 min for the system to completely discharge
* pop off the two black, plastic caps on either side of the wheel
* take the Torx bit and remove the airbag bolts
* pull the airbag out and unplug the connectors from the back
* at this point, you'll need a 3/4" or 19mm socket to remove the center nut that holds the wheel on
* you may or may not need a wheel puller (I've never seemed to need one since the wheels were already loose enough)
* remove steering wheel

** to install the new one, just follow the directions backwards **

 

What advice do you need? I've swapped steering wheels on the GT-R more times that I remember. I've got it down to 7 minutes to swap the wheels total.

You can reuse the OEM bolts, but Nissan suggests replacing them. The process is as follows:

• disconnect negative terminal of battery
• wait about 10 min for the system to completely discharge
• pop off the two black, plastic caps on either side of the wheel
• take the Torx bit and remove the airbag bolts
• pull the airbag out and unplug the connectors from the back
• at this point, you'll need a 3/4" or 19mm socket to remove the center nut that holds the wheel on
• you may or may not need a wheel puller (I've never seemed to need one since the wheels were already loose enough)
• remove steering wheel

** to install the new one, just follow the directions backwards **

I stripped the head of one of the torq screws for the air bags what do I do?

 

WoW been waiting for this forever and ive been doing looking but have found no asnwers

Thanks guys

 

mprsev, did you ever do the install yourself? how'd it go?

do you need to do anything special with regard to the steering wheel buttons/controls to transfer them over to the new wheel?

 

mprsev, can you take pics of your install? This would be a great DIY to have on file. The fact that it involves taking out the air bag, would give me second thoughts on doing this. Can you imagine the airbag deploying? Stranger things have happened. Typically, I would take the car to the dealership for the swap.

 

Sorry not yet I am waiting to get new torx bolts for the airbag reinstall.

 

Can you share the part numbers of the all the bolts you ordered? Thanks.

 

I don't know the nissan part number but the bolts are referenced as 48433A, tamper proof T30 torx bolts for the steering wheel.

I just placed my order through Eric at Boulder Nissan for four of these just in case I need to remove my steering wheel later for say new paddle shifters, in addition to various oils (diff, trans) for my 18K service that is coming up.

Honestly I am tempted to just swap it out tomorrow

 

I don't know the nissan part number but the bolts are referenced as 48433A, tamper proof T30 torx bolts for the steering wheel.

I just placed my order through Eric at Boulder Nissan for four of these just in case I need to remove my steering wheel later for say new paddle shifters, in addition to various oils (diff, trans) for my 18K service that is coming up.

Honestly I am tempted to just swap it out tomorrow

Do it!

 

Alright I finally had some time today to get my Durement Steering Wheel and Matte Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel panel installed today.

Estimated Time:
1 hour (taking your time)

Guides:
instructions provided with durement wheel
documents attached by vivid racing http://www.gtrlife.c...__fromsearch__1

Parts:
Durement steering wheel
two new tamper resistant T30 Torx bolts from Nissan (48433A)

Tools:
Tamper resistant Torx T30 bit
3/4 or 1/2 socket wrench
Torque Wrench
Needle Nose Pliers
Panel remover tools
Philip screw driver
Recommend a 90 degree pick tool

Process: Essentially what ttknf states above
1. straighten steering wheel, extend and raise fully
2. disconnect negative side of battery
3. wait 10-15 min for power to discharge
4. remove small circle plastic caps back, lower sides of steering
5. using tamper resistant t30 torx remove bolts located behind plastic caps
6. remove center air bag from steering wheel
7. disconnect yellow and orange plugs from back of air bag (this is where the 90 degree pick is very helpful to hook under the black backs to the plugs and pull up/out from the bottom/wire side of plug)
8. place air bag facing up away from work area
9. remove grey plug from center of steering wheel
10. start removing the 19mm nut in the center of steering wheel 90 percent (don't remove fully just in case steering wheel pops off the wheel won't hit you in the face)
11. pull up/out on steering wheel (for me the wheel was already loose after removing 19mm nut.
12. unhook the orange and yellow air bag wires from the steering wheel
13. remove steering wheel (try to not rotate spiral cable behind steering wheel. If you do the pdf documents attached by vivid racing instruct you how to properly recenter the spiral cable prior to reinstalling steering wheel)
14. now remove the two t30 torx bolts holding the center air bag plate (don't lose the springs located behind each t30 torx bolt)
15. remove back plastic shroud from steering wheel (look inside from the front/top of the steering wheel you will see four clips holding the shroud to the back of the steering wheel)
16. remove three philips screws on back of steering wheel that secures steering wheel panel

Reinstall:
1. follow above in reverse order
2. torque center 19mm nut to 25lbs
3. recommend reusing the old tamper resistant T30 torx bolts for the air bag initially for a test drive to ensure you installed the steering wheel centered. Once you confirm everything is centered then replace the original torx bolts with the new T30 torx bolts.

 

Great write up!

 

Great job. Looks awesome.

 

Thanks Ryan, yes I need you to take the photos as my iphone pics don't do the steering wheel justice. Like others have mentioned this is probably the best mod I have done to date as it improves the overall enjoyment of the car every time you drive, even when parked

Seriously, a steering wheel like this should just come OEM on the GTR just like other "sports cars".

 

You my friend are a GOD DAMN SAINT
now i feel 100% confident to order a damn wheel now
thats whats been holding me back

that and i need to call eric for those torx bolts

thanks a bunch man

 

+100
Thanks Evan - awesome write-up.
I have a Durement wheel coming soon - this DIY will greatly help install!!

-Chris

 

good thread.

 

Awesome! Thank you, sir!

 

Thanks to you i have my MINES wheel coming and feel 100% about installing
thanks again,

i swear if we had more people or companies that sell stuff do some better write ups like this i would by more,
i just wanna know what im getting into before i buy something,

Thanks again EVAN also for taking a minute with my PM's

 

Nice DIY! I reviewed it prior to doing my install tonight, it took me 40 minutes! Thanks mprsev!

 

^Looking good!

 

Fantastic! Thanks so much.

 

Does anyone have the pdf for the spiral cable changed my steering wheel and it fell out and unrolled and now my airbag light is on i think i need to change the cable now

 

has anybody changed there clock spring mine fell apart taking off wheel

 

Hey has anyone stripped (stripped head) one of the torq screws that hold the air bag in.. mine were soo tight. What do I do???!?!!! Please help lol

 

drill them out