YotaTech D.I.Y.: How To Install an Aftermarket Steering Wheel
Personalize your truck and improve your driving experience in one fell swoop.
When you think about it, your truck’s steering wheel might be the most important part. After all, it’s the one part of your truck that you touch more than any other.
When you’re personalizing your truck to suit your own personal tastes, an aftermarket steering wheel is a great way to get started. There are a lot of wheel styles to choose from, with choices such as overall diameter, rim thickness, and material to think about.
Of course, it’s important that you take care when installing a new wheel — after all, you don’t want it to come off in your hands when you’re driving. Safety is paramount. Forum member ctrl1 posted a thread right here on our forums about how he went about installing a Grant Signature Series steering wheel in his Toyota.
Just a few tools are needed: A 3/8″ ratchet, an extension, a 19mm socket, and a 7/16″ socket, as well as a screwdriver and a hex wrench or socket. You’ll also need the new steering wheel of your choice, as well as a hub adapter and a spacer. Those parts will be sourced from your aftermarket steering wheel manufacturer.
Since you’ll be unplugging electrical connections, we recommend disconnecting your battery first. First, you’ll find a small screw on the back of the steering wheel for the horn pad. Remove that, and you should be able to pop the pad off. Next, disconnect the horn wire.
You’ll be able to see the large nut that holds the steering wheel to the hub. It might help to have a friend hold the wheel straight while you break the nut free. Now, you can attempt to slide the steering wheel off of the splines.
If it’s too tight, you may need a steering wheel puller, which you can rent or buy at an auto parts store. You can also try to pull the wheel towards you and muscle it off of the steering shaft. If you do this, re-install the nut a few turns so that you don’t hurt yourself when it breaks free.
At this point, you can combine your steering wheel hub with the spacer. When you install the assembly onto the steering shaft, make sure that the turn signal contact ring is rotated in the correct orientation to mate with the back of the new hub. Then, re-install and torque down the center bolt.
Now you’re ready to attach your steering wheel to the hub. Place the steering wheel on the hub, making sure that the wheel is centered on the splines. Using a dab of blue threadlocker on each bolt, carefully thread each of the small hex bolts through the wheel into the hub, and tighten them down in a criss-cross pattern. Connect the wire for your horn, snap the horn button into place, and re-connect your battery.
And with that, you’re done! Now, your truck is personalized, your interior looks great, and your driving experience has improved. Not bad for an hour or less worth of work!
Photos: YotaTech
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