Hello all,

Does anyone know what is involved in swapping steering wheels on an 2002 Octavia? The current airbag will be going back into the new steering wheel - is it just a case of remove airbag cover, remove airbag module (presumably after disconnecting the battery??), undo large nut ? put new wheel in place, put airbag back in and replace cover?

Any help would be greatfully recieved.

Cheers,

Lee

It's easy. You need a screw driver and an M12(IIRC) spline drive. The airbag and cover are one unit.

To remove the airbag you to turn the wheel a quarter turn from centre and you will find a hole on the back of the wheel, insert a screw driver and release the clip. Then turn a quarter turn from centre the other way and release the 2nd clip. Return the wheel to the centre. Disconnect the battery, unplug the airbag. Undo the bolt, swap the wheel, refit bolt. Plug airbag in push into place making sure both clips click into place, reconnect battery.

Do this at your own risk and take sensible precautions.

Remember to leave the battery disconnected for 15 mins before disconnecting the airbag.

Got my Golf R32 wheel swapped over by someone who works at Skoda dealer.

Took him no longer than 5 mins, as didnt even bother disconnecting the battery for the airbag reason.

I was shocked, but he said you didnt need to do that

Remember to leave the battery disconnected for 15 mins before disconnecting the airbag.

Be warey that even a disconnected airbag CAN go off on it's own!

Be warey that even a disconnected airbag CAN go off on it's own!

And how is that seeing as it needs an electrical feed to fire?

Can you imagine anyone transporting one that 'could' go off?

And how is that seeing as it needs an electrical feed to fire?

Can you imagine anyone transporting one that 'could' go off?

Not heard of static? you'll be suprised what an airbag can do when it's not installed in a steering wheel, we've had one imbedded in the roof at work a few years back whilst left face down on a work bench. Recomendations from the manufactures are that they are stored once out of the vehicle in a Steel container with the lid shut ie Amunition box.

Cheers

I have set many off before (used to be policy before returning them).

Agreed static 'could' set one off so i guess you are correct. New airbags are delivered in anti static wrapping usually.

Cheers for the advice guys - the airbag going off was my worry I guess. If I disconnect the battery for 30 + mins I hope that should cover things.

By the sound of it I'd better put my PC building anti static wrist strap on too!

Cheers again,

Lee