Removing the steering wheel from a 2013 RX

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OldManBeard

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Mount Evelyn, Vic, Australia
I want to replace the steering wheel switches in my 2013 RX in order to add the radio/phone controls. The switch pack has arrived but straight away I ran into a problem... I can't work out how to remove the airbag assembly so that I can get to the screws holding the switch pack on each side. Everywhere I search I find the same set of instructions - use a screwdriver to lever the wire spring through the hole in the underside of the steering wheel. Herein lies the problem. Mine doesn't have that hole!

There are two plastic plugs, one on each side near the top of the wheel. I've removed the plugs and tried to look into the holes but I can't see anything useful, or even why they're there, but can't help feeling they must be the key to solving my dilemma.

Does anyone here know how to do it on my model?
 
Try this, out of the NP300 service manual:

NP300 Steering Wheel Airbag Removal.jpg
 
Thanks Tony, that looks like what I need, at least the pictures look like my wheel. It's a bit odd that my wheel seems to be the same as the NP300, rather than what all the Youtube videos and Internet articles show for a D40.

The pictures suggest it's going to take a bit of feeling around to find the spring clip because you can either look into the hole or you can put something in it, not both. I can't try it just yet, on account of it's pissing down, and expected to do so for at least the next week, and I don't have any cover to work under. Fortunately, there's no urgency. I'll let you know how I get on after tackling the job.
 
That's ok, I'm in NSW and those selfish pricks in Sydney just keep on partying away spreading Covid around like it's chocolates or something. I expect more of the state will be locked down soon.

And I was looking forward to a ride up the Oxley this weekend.
 
We had the same kind of stupidity here in Vic during each of our lockdowns. They just don't get it. They seem to figure only the old farts will croak it and the young will get over it. What they just won't accept is that a very significant percentage of those, of any age, who have had the infection have lasting problems. As far as anyone has been able to determine, those side effects may well be for the rest of their lives. Apart from the personal costs to those affected, this is going to cost the nation an absolute fortune going forward. Unlike the health issues related to smoking, which are far more than paid for by the numerous taxes imposed on tobacco, this cost is going to borne by increased taxes for all (with the likely exception of the rich, as always).
 
I had a chance to have a go at my steering wheel today but it looks like it's different to the NP300 as well, so I'm still stuck. :( I've got a small USB camera somewhere around here. If I can find that I should be able to get a look in through the two holes. Maybe that might shed some light on things.
 
I had a chance to have a go at my steering wheel today but it looks like it's different to the NP300 as well, so I'm still stuck. :( I've got a small USB camera somewhere around here. If I can find that I should be able to get a look in through the two holes. Maybe that might shed some light on things.

I've had to remove my RX steering wheel to replace the clock spring so I share your pain.
Yes you have two U shape springs to depress in behind the tabs each side of the column.
As you look at the wheel they present a vertical face of approx 20 mm of 2.5 - 3 mm wire.
These need to be pushed toward the centre of the column.
I ended up buying a couple of cheap blade screwdrivers and cutting a notch in each blade to engage the spring more positively.
Once you eventually get it you'll want to do it a couple more times in celebration !
I'll try to post a pic
 
Thanks for the pic and the sympathy. I was beginning to think mine had some oddball wheel. Now that I have an idea of what's required I can tackle it again... once the rain stops. I don't even need to regrind a screwdriver, as you did, because I ground one the same way around 40+ years ago to make reattaching drum brake springs easier and I still have it.
 
Ok, the weather has cleared for a while and I've found my USB inspection camera. The photo shows what I found when looking around inside the two holes. I've used the camera to look in every direction inside the hole but nowhere else can I see anything that looks like it might be helpful, only what you see in this photo. Obviously, the other side is simply a mirror of the photo shown here. I can't find anything that looks even remotely like Jardsoooo's drawing unless I'm simply not recognising it.

With a little downward pressure on the airbag to release any tension, I've tried pushing against the 'L' shaped spring, which definitely moves a fair bit, and I've tried levering it in every direction but, no matter what I do, the airbag simply stays firmly attached to the wheel. Where am I going wrong?

2021-07-22-110322.jpg
 
Ok, the weather has cleared for a while and I've found my USB inspection camera. The photo shows what I found when looking around inside the two holes. I've used the camera to look in every direction inside the hole but nowhere else can I see anything that looks like it might be helpful, only what you see in this photo. Obviously, the other side is simply a mirror of the photo shown here. I can't find anything that looks even remotely like Jardsoooo's drawing unless I'm simply not recognising it.

With a little downward pressure on the airbag to release any tension, I've tried pushing against the 'L' shaped spring, which definitely moves a fair bit, and I've tried levering it in every direction but, no matter what I do, the airbag simply stays firmly attached to the wheel. Where am I going wrong?

View attachment 35449
And no need to lever just push
 
Well, we managed to push the spring clips on both sides at the same time. The end result is that the airbag is still firmly attached to the wheel but the horn no longer works. Presumably, we've managed to cut or dislodge its wire. I'm ready to give up. I think after our current lockdown ends I'll head down to a local wrecker, which specialises in Patrols and Navaras, and see if I can get some help there, even if I have to pay them to do it for me.

Thanks for the help offered.
 
So how did you get on with getting it off ?
I still haven't. We've only just recently come out of lockdown but so far everyone, mechanics and wreckers, that I've contacted about it either thought it was just a matter of pushing up through the hole in the bottom of the wheel that doesn't exist on mine, "just unscrew the bolts" (there are none), or flat-out wouldn't touch another one of those "pox-ridden shit models" because they wasted too much time trying to do one in the past. I'm pretty much ready to give up on the whole idea.
 
I still haven't. We've only just recently come out of lockdown but so far everyone, mechanics and wreckers, that I've contacted about it either thought it was just a matter of pushing up through the hole in the bottom of the wheel that doesn't exist on mine, "just unscrew the bolts" (there are none), or flat-out wouldn't touch another one of those "pox-ridden shit models" because they wasted too much time trying to do one in the past. I'm pretty much ready to give up on the whole idea.

Did you get the air replaced under the recall ?
 

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