2001 Passat Steering Wheel Removal

[chrisball666]

I am hoping to fit a leather steering wheel to my 2001 Passat 130 Tdi. In preparation I am getting my tools together.

Does anyone know what size socket is needed to release the centre nut?

Thanks

Chris

[snapdragon]

I am hoping to fit a leather steering wheel to my 2001 Passat 130 Tdi. In preparation I am getting my tools together.

Does anyone know what size socket is needed to release the centre nut?

Thanks

Chris

It is a female star fitting.
I can't remember the size, but it was T40, T45, T50 or T55 looking at my set. The steering wheel comes off easily, it's not stuck fast on a tapered splined shaft as on some cars.

[chrisball666]

It is a female star fitting.
I can't remember the size, but it was T40, T45, T50 or T55 looking at my set. The steering wheel comes off easily, it's not stuck fast on a tapered splined shaft as on some cars.

Thanks for that!

I'm having the battery and tray etc out tomorrow to check the drain holes and the pollen filter seal and while I've got the battery off I want to change my steering wheel.

Thanks again

Chris

[snapdragon]

By female star, I mean the bolt is female and your tool needs to be male. I got a set of both female and male for £14 from my local motor factors.
Make sure you mark with a scribe as soon as you take the bolt out as I didn't and knocked the steering wheel with my knee while reaching for a tool to scrape a mark and it popped off. On my Vauxhall Omega, it was the opposite, nearly got a hernia removing it.

[chrisball666]

Thanks Snapdragon - I'll bear that in mind, although I intend to fit a leather wheel that I've bought on ebay so scribing it will be academic.

While I'm on do you know, or anyone else know, what size/type screwdriver do I need to get the air bag off. I've found the two holes behind the wheel boss and I've tried a torx 10 and a torx 20 but can't feel any screw head - any ideas anyone?

Thanks

Chris

[snapdragon]

On mine they aren't screws, they are spring clips.
They are hard to get the knack of.
You need a thinnish longish flatblade, you stick it in with the flat horizontal and should feel it go into a smaller hole and stop at about 45mm. Then you lever the screwdriver handle up while it pivots on the edge of the hole, thus moving the tip down, this moves a clip and the airbag should pop off on that side, it helps, if you can use your other hand to wiggle and pull the airbag off while you move the clip.

[chrisball666]

Ok - thanks, I'll try that. I've just received the leather one and I can see now what you are talking about. It looks quite straight forward. I'll do it tomorrow and let you know how I got on.

Thanks again

Chris

[chrisball666]

Morning All

Well that's the new leather wheel on - looks and feels great!!

Releasing the air bag from the centre of the wheel was a bit tricky but got it in the end. The centre release bolt was a Torx T55. Putting the spade connectors back on was a bit fiddly for big fingers but got there in the end.

Thanks for your help - most appreciated.

Regards

Chris