Steering wheel problem.

GMSea97 · September 8, 2006

I recently purchased another used truck. The only thing that didn't pass state inspection was the steering wheel. The outter rubber is loose from the inner metal. I would love to just slap a aftermarket wheel on and call it a day but, it has a airbag setup and I want to keep it. There is nothing visually wrong with the wheel just it is loose from the inner part. Does anyone know how to reconnect the two, even if it is temporary. I just need it to get through inspection, then I am going to put one of those wheel covers where you wrap the little cord around it on. My state won't pass a car with a wheel cover so it has to be fixed, please help.

asilverblazer · September 8, 2006

Check Ebay, I got a new one for about 45 dollars. You can buy the wheel seperate from the airbag. You could also check junk yards and the dealer for a new one. If you find one I can explain how to replace it.

Draenor · September 8, 2006

That is some strict inspection laws.

I'd also go the junkyard or ebay route. You might as well replace it now, otherwise the next time you inspect it, you will face the problem again. Also watch what you are doing replacing the wheel. I heard if you break the clock spring, you just cause yeourself alot more work.

larry arizona · September 8, 2006

If just replacing the S/W the clock spring is not an issue. The clock spring breaks if your not careful with the intermediate shaft replace or repair. If the whole steering shaft rotates too much the clock spring will break.

Steering wheels are very expensive from the dealer appx $500 + and more for leather wrapped. Used is a different story but they are still not cheap.

No real good way to re-glue the foam to the magnesium. I guess you could cut off what is there and try and reglue it and then re-wrap with an aftermarket steering wheel cover from walmart for a temp repair.

F

crazymjb · September 9, 2006

Be careful with that airbag, but that goes without saying.

Mike

larry arizona · September 9, 2006

Don't worry about the airbag. They don't go off without the proper current. Take care unplugging the inflator so that you don't damage the plug. If you break it it will be tough to replace.

I engineer airbags for a living and they are safe to handle.

firefighteremt3100 · September 9, 2006

Don't worry about the airbag. They don't go off without the proper current. Take care unplugging the inflator so that you don't damage the plug. If you break it it will be tough to replace.

I engineer airbags for a living and they are safe to handle.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Proper current could be nothing more than feedback from a cell phone plugged in. You should still take caution to the airbag. I am not discrediting your profession, but as a firefighter/emt we have had several classes on airbags and how they can go off unexpectedly if even the little bit of juice is present in the system.

larry arizona · September 9, 2006

Don't worry about the airbag. They don't go off without the proper current. Take care unplugging the inflator so that you don't damage the plug. If you break it it will be tough to replace.

I engineer airbags for a living and they are safe to handle.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Proper current could be nothing more than feedback from a cell phone plugged in. You should still take caution to the airbag. I am not discrediting your profession, but as a firefighter/emt we have had several classes on airbags and how they can go off unexpectedly if even the little bit of juice is present in the system.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here is the deal. When the airbag is plugged in it is grounded to the vehicles airbag sensor loop. The only way the bag can deploy is if it sees current from one of the crash sensors. Cells phones, vehicle shorts, power lines contacting the vehicle etc etc will not deploy the airbag.

If the bag is disconnected from the vehicle there are shorting clips that deactivate the inflator terminals. To deploy the airbag you would need to add current while simultaneously moving 4 shorting clips out of the way. So lets just say it is 99.9% unlikely anyone could do this even if they were trying to do it. We engineers design stuff for just this reason. We are required to idiot proof things for idiots who try to do things they should not do. When airbags are shipped to an OEm assembly plant they are shipped thousands at a time in train or tractor trailers. If they were not shipped with shorting clips thes vehicles would be very large boms on wheels. DOT regulations require this type of protection for hazordous materials.

Even in a direct bonfire a modules will not deploy until about 7-8 minutes and by then it will just blow air as the cushion will be destroyed.

So hopefully this dispells any rumors of dangerous handling of airbags. Maybe in 1992 things were different but airbags have evolved quite a bit.

asilverblazer · September 10, 2006

500$ for just the wheel?! I figure that much for a wheel and air bag, but JUST the wheel? Yikes, I think I'd be swiping the rims of a little kids bike for that kind of snot.

larry arizona · September 10, 2006

500$ for just the wheel?! I figure that much for a wheel and air bag, but JUST the wheel? Yikes, I think I'd be swiping the rims of a little kids bike for that kind of snot.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What is really odd is that we make steering wheels and sell them to GM for under $50 ( a little more if there is a lot of steering wheel controls etc). Then GM sells that at over 10X mark-up.

Driver airbags are the same way. They sell for $40 to the OEMS and run over $600 at the dealer.

Bummer

firefighteremt3100 · September 11, 2006

Don't worry about the airbag. They don't go off without the proper current. Take care unplugging the inflator so that you don't damage the plug. If you break it it will be tough to replace.

I engineer airbags for a living and they are safe to handle.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Proper current could be nothing more than feedback from a cell phone plugged in. You should still take caution to the airbag. I am not discrediting your profession, but as a firefighter/emt we have had several classes on airbags and how they can go off unexpectedly if even the little bit of juice is present in the system.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here is the deal. When the airbag is plugged in it is grounded to the vehicles airbag sensor loop. The only way the bag can deploy is if it sees current from one of the crash sensors. Cells phones, vehicle shorts, power lines contacting the vehicle etc etc will not deploy the airbag.

If the bag is disconnected from the vehicle there are shorting clips that deactivate the inflator terminals. To deploy the airbag you would need to add current while simultaneously moving 4 shorting clips out of the way. So lets just say it is 99.9% unlikely anyone could do this even if they were trying to do it. We engineers design stuff for just this reason. We are required to idiot proof things for idiots who try to do things they should not do. When airbags are shipped to an OEm assembly plant they are shipped thousands at a time in train or tractor trailers. If they were not shipped with shorting clips thes vehicles would be very large boms on wheels. DOT regulations require this type of protection for hazordous materials.

Even in a direct bonfire a modules will not deploy until about 7-8 minutes and by then it will just blow air as the cushion will be destroyed.

So hopefully this dispells any rumors of dangerous handling of airbags. Maybe in 1992 things were different but airbags have evolved quite a bit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No offense, but I go by what my superiors tell me. They had "supposed" professionals come from the Fire Academy and thats what they told me. Like I said, Im not discounting what you do. And it also doesnt hurt to err on the side of caution.

pm26 · September 11, 2006

Steering wheels are very expensive from the dealer appx $500 + and more for leather wrapped. Used is a different story but they are still not cheap.

F

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$500 for a steering wheel? Not so. I bought a leather wrapped new steering wheel with DIC buttons from Jennings Chevrolet in Chicago by mail for $ 168. This is for an '06 Silverado.