In this article, we will look at quick-release steering wheels. Because why should you have one of these in your car?
Number one, they will help you with security. Because who can steal a car without a steering wheel?
However, if you are thinking about buying one then you might be put off by the installation.
You’ll need to get the right tools and this might be a daunting task in itself. However, we’ll give you all the information you need.
Where can you buy one of these steering wheels? What knowledge do you need to have of your car’s interior before you install your wheel?
How much will one of these cost you? Well, we have all the information that you’ll need to have a seamless installation.
Make Sure That You Know How Your Steering Wheel Works
As with all complicated automotive parts, you’ll need to make sure that you at least have a vague understanding of how your wheel works.
Most detachable wheels will come with a manual that will explain how it works and the best method of installing it.
You should look at this article as giving you supplementary knowledge of your steering wheel, not the only information you’ll need.
In the past, you might have has an instruction manual that will only be in another language.
Luckily, with most manuals these days, there will be an online resource that will allow you to find the right instruction in the right language.
You’ll need to make sure that even if you don’t have the manual, you are reading the right set of instructions about the specific model of the steering wheel that you have.
However, even with the more specific models of steering wheel, there will be a standard installation process that will apply to most models of quick-release steering wheel.
What Tools Will I Need?
If you are going to install the base of your quick-release steering wheel, then you won’t be able to do it with your bare hands. This is where having the right tools for the job will really come in handy.
If you are working with an NRG short hub, then you’ll need to appropriate tools that will come with this type of steering wheel.
- A small, flat-headed screwdriver
- A 3mm Allen wrench
- A small hook pick
- 3/8” drive ratchet
- 3/8” drive 6” extension
- 3/8” drive 22mm deep socket
This is a list of some of the basic tools that you’ll need for the installation of your quick-release steering wheel. However, there are other tools that you can use for the job.
You might also need a wire stripper, especially if you are working with wires that will need their ends stripped.
This will be important if you are looking to connect all the wires to the base of the steering wheel.
You might also need some male/female connectors, which will be very important when you are working with heat shrink tubing.
However, there is no guarantee that this is what you’ll be working with, so you might want to find out about this beforehand.
You might also want to keep some Allen head bolts near, as some steering wheels require these to lock the base hub into place.
How Do I Install My Steering Wheel?
Now we’re going to get into the nuts and bolts of the situation. This is our step-by-step guide on how you can best get your steering wheel clamped to the dashboard of your car.
1. Prepare Your Car
Firstly, you’ll need to make sure that your car is parked, with the brakes on and out of the way of any oncoming traffic.
You’ll also have your doors open to give you room to maneuver, so you’ll need to make sure that you have room on either side.
We would actually recommend that you have your car parked in a garage. This way you can work freely without having to worry about passers-by or other vehicles. However, if you are in a garage, make sure that you have adequate lighting.
2. Remove The Wheel
Now, you’ll have to remove the quick-release steering wheel from the hub that you’ll be attaching to the dashboard. You can usually do this by unlocking the nut that is in the center.
Once you’ve removed the nut in the center, it will be as simple as pulling the wheel away from the housing.
This is what makes the quick-release steering wheel one of the handiest security wheels that you can find on the market.
3. Placing The Short Hub
Taking the pry tool from the list mentioned above, you’ll need to locate a gold ring in your short hub. Take the pry tool and pry it away slowly.
Then thread a black wire through an NRG short hub. Once this has been done then you can slide the gold ring back into its place.
Then once you have done this then you’ll need to replace the short hub and the quick-release together using a washer and a spacer. You can do this with the Allen head bolts we mentioned earlier.
4. Installing The Quick Release
Press the quick release into the short hub. You should hear a click when it is connected properly.
You might have to modify the screws that you have prepared so that they secure your quick release to the short hub properly.
If you are unlucky, then you have might have a quick release this is incompatible with your steering wheel.
If you are found yourself, for example, stuck with two male connectors, then you might have to use some wire strippers to strip down one of the wires.
You should then thread this wire into a female connection. Make sure that this is properly twisted and secured into place.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you to figure out how best to get that quick-release steering wheel attached to your dashboard.
If you are working with an incompatible steering wheel, then you might have to contact the manufacturer.
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy our article on ‘How Much Does A Wrap Cost?‘.
