HOW TO REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL FROM A VOLKSWAGEN

Video Transcript

Hey, everybody. Charles for HumbleMechanic.com back with another DIY and Drive tutorial with Pull and Part Used Auto Parts. Today, I'm going to show you how to remove an airbag and steering wheel from a Volkswagen. You're going to need to be able to rotate the steering wheel. I'm lucky enough to have the keys to this car. If you don't have the keys, unfortunately, it's going to be a bit more challenge.

All right, the tools we're going to need for this job is going to be a Phillips head screwdriver, a ratchet, an extension, a 24 millimeter socket, the keys to the vehicle, and a pocket screwdriver, or the Volkswagen special tool for removing airbags. Now, you're going to want to remove the steering column trim. In order to do that, there's two fasteners at the bottom of the trim that will need to be removed. Once you do that, you can go ahead and take both pieces off. There are two holes on the back side of the steering wheel to access the airbag release. To remove the airbag, that access hole needs to be at 12 o'clock. There is a special tool to remove the airbag. But I'm going to show you how to do it with a pocket screwdriver.

To help you understand how the airbag is attached to the steering wheel, this plastic clip snaps in where this opening is right here. So when we're releasing spring tension, this is what we're doing. And that will allow us to remove the airbag. We're going to come in from the backside of the steering wheel with our pocket screwdriver through the access hole. And what we're going to do is we're going to release the spring. Now what you don't want to do is pry up with the screwdriver. You want to push the nose of the screwdriver down. Otherwise, you'll rip the steering wheel. Also, sometimes squeezing the airbag into the steering wheel will help relieve a little bit of tension.

After we release the first side, we want to rotate the steering wheel so that our other access hole is at 12 o'clock. And we're going to do the same thing for this one. You might have some struggles releasing this spring clip. This is actually a really common thing. Even at the dealership and even with the special tool, these can be tricky and fight you. Next, we're going to remove the airbag from the vehicle. We're in a salvage yard, so we don't have to worry about battery power. But just remember, you don't want the vehicle's battery connected while you do this.

And a quick tip-- always set the airbag down this way, not this way. Next, we're going to remove these three screws. And it's very important to take these out before removing the steering wheel. Next, we're going to disconnect the connector for the horn and remove the 24 millimeter nut. After the nut's been removed, we can go ahead and just walk the steering wheel off the column. Make sure you feed both of your electrical connectors through.

All right, guys. This is Charles from HumbleMechanic.com. Thanks for watching, and I will see you next time.