How do I change the steering wheel on a Fabia , it's the tackey plastic rim one and I'd like to upgrade to leather rimmed one. I am unsure what to do about the air-bag removal etc. Any info would be gratefull .Also is there air-bags in the sides of the front seats.

Thanks

If you have side airbags it will be written on your seats.

Airbag removal is simple enough but tbh if your not that savvy with it i'd leave it to a pro.

Airbag removal is simple enough but tbh if your not that savvy with it i'd leave it to a pro.

Indeed! :eek: Even I wouldn't fancy it and I've done it a couple of times now.

Firstly, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY! Don't try this with power still running through the car.

With a short flat screwdriver (there might be a proper tool for this) turn the steering wheel pointing left, then right, and behind the wheel two holes appear. Use the flat screwdriver to insert in that hole and feel for the ribbed metal "spike" which holds the airbag in. The "spike" can be levered back out again. Once both are out, carefully unplug the yellow plug from the back of the airbag. Set aside.

You will then see the boss for the steering wheel. I believe it is a M50 size, maybe M45 or M40, Either way, it is a big spline bolt. Undo that bolt, and the wheel will loosen and can come off. Do so carefully though as the loom in the steering wheel will be attached to a piece of plastic behind it in the steering column.

Reverse the above for the new wheel. If fitting the fabia vRS steering wheel, you will need the airbag unit as well, due to it being different shape. Old steering wheel & airbag will fetch decent money on the crash/repair/spares market but you will probably know that from purchasing the vRS one.

Thanks Guys,I will try to get a leather rimmed s/wheel ,non-vrs and use my original air bag unit if thats

possible, my son has a Fabia Sport and that has a leather rim on his,it;s a much nicer feel than the plastic rim .I will probably take it to Just VW in Bulkington

i'm sure i've read somewhere that once the batt is disconnected to leave the car for about half hour as the bag may still have some sort of charge going to it? is this true?

maybe somethin i read in max flower in my youth that i picked up LOL

i say youth....im only 20 haha

Yeah the system uses capacitors to store charge so the airbag can still be triggered even if the battery is disconnected for a while. Best to leave for 30mins.

The bolt in the centre of the wheel is a M12 spline.

The bolt in the centre of the wheel is a M12 spline.

where the hell did I pluck M50 from? Getting my torx and my splines mixed up I reckon.

yeah i was thinking m50? some size of socket needed for that

I bought a new leather sports steering wheel and airbag for a Seat Leon, changed the badge, and fitted it myself. I bought an M12 spline socket from Halfords, and then took it back the next day after I'd fitted it. Was a piece of ****, but created an airbag fault light which I had to clear using VAG-COM. This was not a real problem to do though. I got the steering wheel and airbag for £60. Keep an eye on eBay and be patient.