Removing the steering wheel

All Fiesta models since 1996 have been equipped with an airbag. Removal of a steering wheel equipped with an airbag should only be carried out by trained and qualified personnel. The airbag must not be disassembled by yourself. Only in older Fiesta models can you remove the steering wheel yourself.



SEQUENCE OF WORK

1. Disconnect the wire from the negative battery terminal and insulate the negative terminal.

2. Before working on the airbag, wait 2 minutes until the capacitor in the airbag control unit is discharged, which will prevent the airbag or seat belt tensioner from inadvertently deploying.



Pic. 13.22. The location of the screws for fixing the upper (1) and lower (2) steering column covers


3. Remove two screws 1 (pic. 13.22) and remove the upper steering column cover.

4. Turn away three screws 2 and remove the lower casing of a steering column.



Pic. 13.23. Location of airbag mounting screws

5. On the reverse side of the steering wheel, remove the two screws securing the airbag (pic. 13.23). To access the bolts, turn the steering wheel to the correct position.



Pic. 13.24. Disconnecting the airbag connector

6. Slightly move the airbag away from the steering wheel, squeeze both upper clips and disconnect the airbag connector (pic. 13.24).

7. Carefully remove the airbag from the steering wheel and place it in a safe place.

8. Set the steering wheel and front wheels to the straight ahead position. It is best to roll the car forward a few meters and mark the position of the steering wheel on the steering shaft with chalk.




Pic. 13.25. Location of the engine start blocking block (PATS) on the switch (castle) ignition

9. Disconnect the engine immobilizer (PATS) from the switch (castle) ignition (pic. 13.25).



Pic. 13.26. Airbag connector location (1) and nuts (2) steering wheel mounts

10. Disconnect the airbag connector 1 (pic. 13.26) and loosen the nut 2 securing the steering wheel - while holding the steering wheel firmly by the rim.

11. Turn away a nut of fastening of a steering wheel from a steering shaft (do not remove the steering wheel).

12. Turn the key in the switch (castle) ignition out of position «0» into position «I». Jerks remove the steering wheel from the splines of the steering shaft. Do not turn the steering shaft with the steering wheel removed, otherwise the coil spring of the airbag contact block will be centered and may break when the steering wheel is installed. If the steering wheel cannot be removed, pull hard on it while the assistant taps on the back of the steering wheel with the palm of his hand. Key in switch (castle) turn the ignition switch to position «0».

13. Installation of a steering wheel is carried out in sequence, return to removal. Tighten the steering wheel nut to 45 Nm.