Steering Wheel Fitting (replacement)
 

Today after yet another cleaning out of the shed i found the steering wheel i was going to replace my slighty marked old one with on the MG ZT, bit like out sight out of mind so decided no time like the present.

Below is how i went about fitting it probably no different than to anyone else but thought photo's may help new members whom have not undertaken this job before and might be thinking of doing it in the future. (Make sure you have your radio code)

First get yourself a little torch and take a look at the angle of the torx bolts 30mm which hold the air bag facia onto the steering wheel Fig 1 & 1a-b-c
http://i.imgur.com/mnxmgo8m.jpg1

Torx 30mm Fig 1a
http://i.imgur.com/aRa8ywZm.jpg1a

The tools you will need are torx 30mm, 13mm spanner,16mm long socket and a bar,and a small fine screwdriver. Fig2-3
http://i.imgur.com/QkocoaOm.jpg2

http://i.imgur.com/agTIJVCm.jpg3

Loosen the first torx bolt Fig 4
http://i.imgur.com/qRhVdhRm.jpg4

Start engine and turn the steering wheel round and loosen the other torx blots 30mm Fig 5
http://i.imgur.com/vuIX80Dm.jpg5

Now make sure the wheel is straight and turn off the engine and disconnect the battery, once disconnected leave for at least 30 minutes get the new wheel ready have a coffee etc Fig 6
http://i.imgur.com/i79Xe0am.jpg6

The new steering wheel ready for exchange with the old one Fig 7
http://i.imgur.com/0bHbqATm.jpg7

Now the 30 minutes have passed you are ready to undo the torx bolts fully Fig 8
http://i.imgur.com/xf9zJQvm.jpg8

Once undone the air bag is ready to be lifted up and forward so you can unplug the wiring, you would be best sitting the the drivers seat now for full removal of the air bag, the torx bolts will stay where thay are as they are captive Fig 9
http://i.imgur.com/Ogya7Smm.jpg9

Turn the air bag clockwise and over and rest it on the steering wheel bottom rim upside down Fig 10-11
http://i.imgur.com/uQsq1GRm.jpg10

With the air bag turned over you will see a yellow and blue locking catch Fig 11
http://i.imgur.com/BLwfgjBm.jpg11

The yellow and blue locking catch will need to be removed next do this with the thin small screwdriver Fig 12
http://i.imgur.com/TOiRIVAm.jpg12

This will prise open easy Fig 13
http://i.imgur.com/GdbW1aWm.jpg13

You can now lift the locking catch up fully Fig 14
http://i.imgur.com/mTSSi59m.jpg14

The yellow wiring plug can now be disconnected by pulling up gently Fig 15
http://i.imgur.com/DvUL2w8m.jpg15

The air bag can now be set to one side out of the way, the next step is to unplug the steering wheel harness which serves the horn and remote audio, and the cruse control switch if fitted Fig 16
http://i.imgur.com/fYEHMEKm.jpg16

Press and pull free Fig 17-18
http://i.imgur.com/7lQF710m.jpg17

http://i.imgur.com/uI3pQwhm.jpg18

With the harness plug removed we/you can now remove the steering wheel bolt 16mm Fig 19
http://i.imgur.com/UzuuYzHm.jpg19

Make a quick mental note of the lining up pointer on the steering wheel Fig20
http://i.imgur.com/f8I1cctm.jpg20

Make sure you have the steering wheel lock on with steering wheel in the up right postion as possible front wheels straight, now fit the 16mm long socket and bar onto the bolt ready to release the bolt Fig 21
http://i.imgur.com/31oqo3Am.jpg21

Hold the steering wheel also if you need to as the bolt can somtimes be very tight Fig 22
http://i.imgur.com/5eQKg3pm.jpg22

Once the bolt as been released you can undo it with the socket or your fingers which ever you prefer Fig 23-25
http://i.imgur.com/nz6qzfvm.jpg23

http://i.imgur.com/h6iN2NEm.jpg24

http://i.imgur.com/gVXHkGQm.jpg25

With the bolt removed you will now be able to see the mark on the steering wheel column and the alignment pointer on the steering wheel Fig 26-27
http://i.imgur.com/Nq9EUEzm.jpg26

http://i.imgur.com/O6QA2a1m.jpg27

Now you must feed the yellow air bag wiring and connector through the square hole in the top of the steering wheel as you slowly pull the wheel of the splines and column Fig 28
http://i.imgur.com/MCG4X4xm.jpg28

The steering wheel is now removed and the new one can replace it, Fig 29
http://i.imgur.com/Kiogmvom.jpg29

Make sure though that you note the position of the clock spring which the yellow wiring is connected to, you can even tape it up if you like in the position it needs to be, upright in this case to stop it turning but as you will have the new steering wheel next to you on the passenger seat hopefully you don't have to i did not. Fig 30
http://i.imgur.com/6CbEr4Wm.jpg30

You can now fit the new steering wheel offer it up to the column making sure you align the pointer and the mark on the spline/column also thread through the yellow wiring, if marks are aligned and you are happy push the steering wheel slowly onto the column Fig 31
https://i.imgur.com/BrEYLUil.jpg31

Make sure the plug harness sits square in the top hole Fig 32
https://i.imgur.com/jw8tY17l.jpg32

You can once again check that the marks are aligned by pulling the steering wheel up and little and feel if it moves freely Fig 33-34
https://i.imgur.com/UJgqM5nl.jpg33

https://i.imgur.com/Ea3vYIpl.jpg34

If you are satisfied plug the harness back in at the top Fig 35-36
https://i.imgur.com/fwlO4nnl.jpg35

https://i.imgur.com/Xb2G1Gdl.jpg36

The next step is to fit the steering wheel bolt finger tight first Fig 37-38
https://i.imgur.com/9firQH2l.jpg37

https://i.imgur.com/t7aB337l.jpg38

Holding the steering wheel and the socket and bar in place fully tighten the bolt do not over tighten, i pinch it up and then a 1/4 turn Fig 39
https://i.imgur.com/lR8ruOql.jpg39

We are now ready to fit the air bag back into position with the air bag cover upside down Fig 40
https://i.imgur.com/e6uOfsWl.jpg40

Now locate and offer the yellow locking catch to the air bag pushing down firmly until it plugs fully in Fig 41-42
https://i.imgur.com/MRx5Vval.jpg41

https://i.imgur.com/Waau8ZUl.jpg42

Now push home the locking clip Fig 43
https://i.imgur.com/8UmYTDSl.jpg43

Make sure the clip is fully locked down Fig 44
https://i.imgur.com/LTFp3WDl.jpg44

You can now turn over, clockwise the air bag ready to refit Fig 45
https://i.imgur.com/tnDoepkl.jpg45

With the air bag fitted back in position it can be nipped back up with the two torx bolts from behind Fig 46
https://i.imgur.com/RUkHt2Gl.jpg46

Reconnect the battery test the horn and indicators etc Fig 47
https://i.imgur.com/JW7MZDZl.jpg47

Horns and all the rest working you can now tighten up the torx 30mm do not over tighten so you damage the torx end Fig 48
https://i.imgur.com/1Nuxtfql.jpg48

Job is now finished good luck if you intend doing this job Arctic

Hi Arctic

What a great thread. I have got two to do next weekend and have been quite nervous about them. I don't think I'll be having any problem now.
Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

Alec

Er, the torx size on mine is 30. Do they vary? :shrug:

Chad. :}

Hi Roger.
I can not answer that at the moment but i do have a R75 steering wheel in the shed somewhere i will dig it out and see if the is the same size or not Arctic ;)

PS just double checked and you are correct sir thank you for pointing it out all corrected:bowdown:

Oh wow - I got someting right for a change!! :D

Chad. :}

Thanks Steve
Changed the wheel on my ZT tonight, this "how to" made the job trouble free.
Cheers Ian

Brilliant how to Artic and now in the "how to" forum :}

http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...d.php?t=157686

Great Howto

followed this today and fitted my new wheel quick and easy :D


Graham

Hi Graham.
Great to hear it is helping members to get stuck in hope to see you this year at one of the nano's if your good lady is up to cheers Arctic ;)

Nice write-up, are the 75 steering wheels ever hard to get off? I remember on older cars we used to leave the bolt/nut on the thread once it's slackened to avoid smacking yourself in the face with the steering wheel as you try and tug it off (the steering wheel that is :o)