logo for Pull-A-Part Do It Yourself Used Auto Parts
Auto Parts
Auto Parts
How It Works
New On Yard
Search Car Inventory
Parts Pricing
Used Parts Directory
Notify Me
Sell My Car
Sell My Car
How It Works
Reviews
FAQS
Car Sales Tips
Get A Quote
Inventory
Search Car Inventory
Interchangeable Parts
Careers
Videos
NEW!
Find A Store
Alabama
Birmingham Mobile Montgomery
Arizona
Tucson
Georgia
Atlanta East Atlanta North Atlanta South Augusta
Indiana
Indianapolis
Kentucky
Louisville
Louisiana
Baton Rouge Lafayette New Orleans West
Mississippi
Jackson
N.Carolina
Charlotte Winston-Salem
Ohio
Akron Canton Cleveland West
S.Carolina
Columbia
Tennessee
Knoxville Memphis Nashville
Texas
Corpus Christi El Paso
VIP Club
Used Cars
FAQ
Auto Parts
Auto Parts
How It Works
New On Yard
Search Car Inventory
Parts Pricing
Used Parts Directory
Notify Me
Sell My Car
Sell My Car
How It Works
Reviews
FAQS
Car Sales Tips
Get A Quote
Inventory
Search Car Inventory
Interchangeable Parts
Careers
Videos
NEW!
Find A Store
Search for Locations Within 500 Miles
Alabama
Birmingham
Mobile
Montgomery
Arizona
Tucson
Georgia
Atlanta East
Atlanta North
Atlanta South
Augusta
Indiana
Indianapolis
Kentucky
Louisville
Louisiana
Baton Rouge
Lafayette
New Orleans West
Mississippi
Jackson
N.Carolina
Charlotte
Winston-Salem
Ohio
Akron
Canton
Cleveland West
S.Carolina
Columbia
Tennessee
Knoxville
Memphis
Nashville
Texas
Corpus Christi
El Paso
VIP Club
Used Cars
FAQ
 
  • Video Library
  • How Pull-A-Part Works
  • Yard Hacks
  • Don't Be a Selfish Tool
  • All Part-Pulling Guides
  • Pull-A-Part Challenge
  • Resource Center

How to Remove the Steering Wheel from a Volkswagen

Applies to: VW All Models (1993-2002)

  • Email Me
  • Share
 

Check out our helpful video detailing how to remove a Volkswagen steering wheel assembly on 1993-2002 Volkswagen models. We’ve listed out a step-by-step guide as part of our instructions for removing a VW steering wheel.

This guide applies to All Volkswagen Models (1993-2002)

Pull Tip: Releasing the airbag can be tricky, so remember to be patient.

Estimated Pull Time: 20 minutes

Recommended Tools

  • Phillips Head Screwdriver
  • Pocket Screwdriver
  • Ratchet
  • Ratchet Extensions
  • 24mm Socket
  • Car Keys

Instructions

  • Print
  • 1

    First, remove the steering column trim. There are two fasteners at the bottom of the trim that need to be removed. Once you do that, take both pieces off.

  • 2

    There are two holes on the backside of the steering wheel to access the airbag release

  • 3

    To remove the airbag, the access holes need in the 12 o’clock position.

  • 4

    Come in the backside of the steering wheel with the pocket screwdriver through the access hole and release the spring. DO NOT pry up with the screwdriver but instead push the nose of the screwdriver down otherwise you will rip the cover of the steering wheel. Also, sometimes squeezing the airbag into the steering wheel will help relieve a little bit of tension

  • 5

    After releasing the first side, rotate the steering wheel so that the other access hole is at 12 o’clock and repeat the process

  • 6

    Next, you are going to need to remove the air bag. Make sure that the vehicle's battery is disconnected so that the airbag does not go off. Disconnect the plug in the back of the airbag and make sure to store the airbag facing up

  • 7

    Next remove the three screws from the steering wheel before removing the steering wheel

  • 8

    Next disconnect the connector for the horn and remove the 24mm nut

  • 9

    After the nut is removed, walk the steering wheel off of the column and make sure to feed both of the electrical connectors through


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.

New To Pull-A-Part? Learn The Process

OR
About
Pricing
Inventory
Locations
Contact
Sell My Car
Privacy Policy
Sitemap