07 steering wheel bolts into a 04 gp?

[sgtmac]

Found a chrome looking 07 GP steering wheel that physically looks similar to my 04 GP GT grubby looking one and wanted to change it out.
Will it work?
Thanks.

[SubwayGuy]

It should, yes.

[REDCRAPGP]

Yup


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[J57ltr]

Are there any special tricks needed to know to get them out?

Jeff

[REDCRAPGP]

Calling Scotty for the video.

Not really just getting the air bag out can be a pain.. Takes a flathead and some patience. Basically your inserting it into one by one into one of the four holes behind the steering wheel and twisting it to release this clip that holds it is. It's hard to explain but I'm sure Scotty will chime in.




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[idrivejunk]

I took a few off recently, on 97-03 junk. Those wires running across the four holes (not electrical wire, but small rods) visible in Red's pic are what you're dealing with. The pegs on the back of the airbag have notches and when its shoved in far enough upon installation, the rods snap into notches on the pegs. The whole deal is spring loaded, so once you pop one corner loose it sticks up. A medium size screwdriver works best, and I have done very few that just pop right off, especially since its near impossible to look at and do all at once. I should make a visual guide for this, it comes up a lot (airbag removal) and I have a column out of the car.

[2003 SSEi]

as a confirmation again it will work.

The PITA is getting the airbag off. I took 1/8th inch brake like tubing and made my own "J-Tool" to remove the bag. Even with something that worked perfect I still fought the one side for about an hour the other side was easy on my GP (and I have had the bag off my Bonneville numberous times, same design)
,
if I can give you a tip, turn the steering wheel to the 3 o clock position so you have access to all 4 holes at the same time

if your doing this the first time it might be worth buying the correct GM J tool They are relatively inexpensive

[idrivejunk]

That airbag retainer setup looks same as an 02. I've taken the rear cover off this 02 wheel and reattached the airbag:



So heres a pic that should remove some of the mystery. This is about where the screwdriver sticks through the hole at, just push the wire out towards the corner of the bag. The pegs cannot be seen with the back cover on the steering wheel.

[idrivejunk]

Maybe better pics... couldn't really see the screwdriver in that last one.

[Scottydoggs]

largest little screw driver you have that fit in the 4 small holes on the back of the wheel cover. put it in till it stops going in, then turn the screw driver like matt is showing in his pics, it unlocks the air bag.

you will never get a large screw driver like in the pic in there lol. dont matter, the little one does the trick fine.

the trick is unlocking the first corner, then you need to pull up on that corner till the one under it is un locked. repeat for the other side.

the other issue is how the junk yard wheel is locked. if need be you can use a drill flat head extension for a driver set, the long one thats like 2 inches long, and a some vise grips or pliers to turn the driver. or one of them crazy right angle screw drivers work well too.

like this



once the air bag is off unplug the air bag and the radio controls, then bust the nut free. now you need a small 2 gear puller, lock it on make the puller tight, then hit the drive bolt with a hammer, a few god firm shots should pop it free. if it dont pop off, re tighten the puller, cause the puller bolt should be loose now, repeat the hammer blow tighten up deal till it pops off. then its yours.

while your there, have two picks or snap ring pliers and take the clock spring for a spare and the multi switch. its under the wheel. ignition harness could be snagged too real easy. just parts to "have".

[J57ltr]

That's excellent Space Bread there Scotty. Thanks for the info. Junk, thanks for the pics, that helps a lot.

Jeff

[idrivejunk]

you will never get a large screw driver like in the pic in there lol.

now you need a small 2 gear puller

The screwdriver shown fits. No puller required to get the wheel off. Your experience may vary, lol.

[Scottydoggs]

ive never had a wheel come off with out a puller of some type.

[idrivejunk]

I've only had to use them for old cars (the kind without airbags). Pull and wiggle and they come off easily, try it. Of course in more rust-prone areas this may not be the case. Aftermarket wheels may fit differently as well. Thats a cool dogleg screwdriver btw, I need one. When I was bag hunting at the JY with a pocket screwdriver, if the wheel was locked in the wrong position I just moved on to another car because there were plenty.