Steering wheel removal

[ARB-XJ]

Maybe i just cant search but i couldnt find a clear write-up on how to remove a steering wheel on a 97+

Also i was wondering, will a WJ or ZJ steering wheel fit, if not ill go with another xj wheel.

Thanks.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

Should fit.. first disconnect the battery. Then unscrew the airbag from the back of the wheel. You will probably need a wheel puller to remove the wheel. Once its off do not pull too hard until you disconenct the air bag wire.

 

[Begster]

Its really easy to remove it.

Remove the screws for the cruise switches (blanks if you don't have cruise) and the two screws for the airbag. Disconnect the wire for the airbag. Remove nut holding steering wheel on (I can't remember, I think there is a nut). Use steering wheel puller to remove steering wheel.

I'm not sure if you can use a WJ or ZJ wheel.

Edit: Johnnie beat me to it.

 

[VestaviaPirate]

be careful removing the airbag wire, it's not very long, so you pull the airbag too far off the wheel, and it'll pull the wire out by itself, which could lead to the wire shorting and airbag going off in your hand.

after removing screws for the airbag, gently pull airbag off wheel about an inch, then feel behind it and it's attached by a little clip (squeeze it and it should come off).

also, I would wait 5 minutes at least from disconnecting the battery, let the charge fully wear out/dissipate. heard even the static electricity in the air could set that thing off, and if you've ever had one hit you, like I have, it's like being hit in the face with a bag of flour at 50mph. it hurts.

 

[VestaviaPirate]

btw, I was told by my brother a WJ/ZJ wheel will fit, because his buddy put on a WJ Overland (wood grain) wheel on his XJ.

 

[kastein]

I strongly doubt static could set it off, but better safe than sorry. I also doubt shorting it out (which is actually the incorrect term here) would set it off. However, it contains about the same charge as a few shotgun shells as I recall, so some care should be exercised regardless...

EDIT: The best way to avoid it having any chance of going off would be to disconnect the battery, wait 5-30 minutes, then unplug the harness from the airbag controller (without unbolting the airbag controller from the body or jarring it), located under the driver's seat (pre-TSB/recall only) or under the back end of the center console. Unfortunately this would require removing the center console on most XJs.

 

[heyhar]

I have a '98 ZJ wheel in my '96 Country. My 'leather wrapped' wheel was beat, and I like the thicker rim of the ZJ. I could not get the air bag to fit, so it currently doesn't have one... While I was shopping for the wheel, I found that virtually all air bag wheels will fit all air bag models. What limited me was having the cruise control buttons on my wheel. They need to be duplicated in whatever wheel you choose to install. The later ones used two wires, while the '95 and '96 used four wires. I had the '98 wheel apart on the workbench, and used my multi meter to see which switches produced certain values, and matched them to the values produced by the '96 cruise circuit board. I spliced the appropriate wires, and the cruise works fine. The only problem is the 'coast' button does nothing (use the 'set' button to reduce the set speed), and the 'cancel' button shuts it off, not just disconnecting it- you still have to tap the brake pedal. Basically, use it like the four button '96 deal and it works just fine. I don't know the legal ramifications of removing the bag, though, and hope I never need to.

 

[heyhar]

Maybe i just cant search but i couldnt find a clear write-up on how to remove a steering wheel on a 97+

Also i was wondering, will a WJ or ZJ steering wheel fit, if not ill go with another xj wheel.

Thanks.

as far as removing the wheel, remove the screws on the back side, and the center cover and air bag should lift straight out. Just watch the actuator wire, and follow the precautions that others have outlined. With the bag out of the way, remove the wheel in the usual way. Be careful not to let the clockspring lose its orientation, and be gentle with the small wires.

 

[VestaviaPirate]

I strongly doubt static could set it off, but better safe than sorry. I also doubt shorting it out (which is actually the incorrect term here) would set it off. However, it contains about the same charge as a few shotgun shells as I recall, so some care should be exercised regardless...

I doubt it too, both with the static and whatever I meant that you knew I meant. But with that much power I would rather feel stupid and redundant than feel hurt and in pain.

When I was hit by the airbag it gave me a concussion, the next day I felt like I had the worst hangover ever. Not fun.

There is also a "self-test" mechanism with the Jeep, if you re-install everything correctly the "Airbag" light on the dash is supposed to stay on 5-8 seconds, or something to that nature. If it stays on any longer than that, or doesn't come on at all, you have an issue.

 

[heyhar]

There is also a "self-test" mechanism with the Jeep, if you re-install everything correctly the "Airbag" light on the dash is supposed to stay on 5-8 seconds, or something to that nature. If it stays on any longer than that, or doesn't come on at all, you have an issue.

What I like about the 'mechanical' airbag in the '95 and '96 XJ is that the vehicle doesn't even know there's a bag in it. My son came home twice with his '95 with front-end damage that would surely have popped a bag in any other car so-equipped. Needless to say the original set-up is still installed.

 

[kastein]

Yeah, that's a great thing about those... I have been looking at putting a 95 column into my 91 so I can get the insurance discount. I also like the feel of the 95/96 wheel better than the earlier wheel.

 

[souske]

My 96 wheel had the leather coming off, so I found a ZJ wheel at the junkyard, just had to do a little trimming on the plastic, and move the bracket that centers the Airbag to the wheel over to the ZJ wheel and rivet it on. Works great!

 

[heyhar]

My 96 wheel had the leather coming off, so I found a ZJ wheel at the junkyard, just had to do a little trimming on the plastic, and move the bracket that centers the Airbag to the wheel over to the ZJ wheel and rivet it on. Works great!

So you put your XJ bag into the ZJ wheel? Interesting! Got any pics? I'd be interested in making my '96 'legal' again.

 

[Original_MudButt]

Like others have said, disconnect the battery then wait about 20 minutes for any power to discharge from the air bag controller.

My service manual says that after you remove the screws from the module, to step outside the vehicle and close the door before removing it. That way if it goes off you are not directly in front of it.