Unless your car is an XR2I or RS turbo the steering wheel that is fitted to your car will be a standard ford item that wouldn't look out of place on a bus, its big, bulky and hideously ugly.
In this guide we show you how to change the standard Ford wheel for a sleek sporty model.
Please note that this applies to non-airbag models only,
The air bag is there for a purpose so leave it alone, safety is more important than looks.
Tools Needed:
Socket set
Small flat bladed screwdriver
Allen hex keys
Torque wrench
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Round And Round!
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Sporty
Thats quite handy
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Right here is What you need:
A sports steering wheel
A centre cap/horn
Centre cap reducer for horn
The correct boss fitting kit
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Make sure the road wheels are straight, the steering wheel should also be level.
If it isn't then you need to get your tracking sorted before you continue.
Below is a standard steering wheel, horrid isn't it, so take your flat screwdriver
and prise out the centre cap. Make sure the steering lock is on, this will help to hole the wheel still.
Now using a 15mm socket undo the fixing bolt. When loose but not all the way out, release the steering
lock and gently tap wheel upwards with the palm of your hands. DO NOT rock it as it will damage the steering column.
The reason why I advise leaving the bolt in, is so the wheel doesn't fly off and hit you in the head!
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Remove the bolt completely and lift the wheel free of the column.
Now turn the wheel over and remove the black plastic ring, this is done by undoing the three screws.
Put this ring and screws in a safe place, as you will need them shortly.
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Now the new wheel
In the picture below is what you require.
Wheel, boss kit and horn.
O
n the reverse of the boss there will be either a larger spoke or a marker saying top on it,
and as the marker says, that needs to go to the top of the wheel.
Turn the boss over and place the horn adapter ring onto it. Then put the wheel onto the
boss and align the screw holes and using an Allen key tighten them home in an opposite angled fashion like a road wheel.
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With the wheel and hub together, turn them over and remember that plastic ring from the old wheel?
Yes, well you need it now, as it serves a purpose! It cancels out the indicators and provides a snug fit on the shaft.
Notice the lug on the ring and the hole on the boss. These fit together.
Fix the ring to the boss with the screws that you have.
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Put the wheel onto the steering column shaft and it should be straight.
Pop the nut back into the boss and tighten it up then nip it up to the correct torque setting,
which is 45 - 55Nm or 33 - 40lbf ft.
Put the horn/centre cap onto the wheel to cover up the fixing hole.
Then make sure that the hex headed screws are tight and you're away.
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Hope this guide is of some help. Now go try it!
Guide Written and © On 21 Sept 2005 by Andrew Whiteman (AW3K)
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