Hi guys, just wondering how hard it is to change the steering wheel rim in a TL.

My TL AWD has the factory leather steering wheel (not very good quality leather + the fact that mine's an ex-Thrifty rent-a-car, amongst other things)......the leather's started to peel in many places.

If I were to get a non-leather steering wheel with the cruise control stalk (saw one on E-Bay, in Brisbane, $30), how easy or hard is it to just change the steering wheel rim? I know there's the airbag to worry about, but if anyone knows how to do this, I'd be very interested to find out, as I'm sick of having the peeling leather steering wheel rim.

You could just get it covered with new leather.

True, I did think of retrimming the steering wheel, but how much is it going to cost to get it done?
Might it be cheaper to just go to a non-leather wheel, which seem to be more durable than the leather ones (for Magnas anyway......I know Honda does a very good leather wheel that lasts and lasts)

......maybe the fitting cost will negate any savings

True, I did think of retrimming the steering wheel, but how much is it going to cost to get it done?
Might it be cheaper to just go to a non-leather wheel, which seem to be more durable than the leather ones (for Magnas anyway......I know Honda does a very good leather wheel that lasts and lasts)

......maybe the fitting cost will negate any savings

Ring up a few trimmers tomorrow? Couldnt hurt eh? And ask how long it would last being on a steering wheel

http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44577

try this. i put one on and they look and feel great.

those isotta ones are great, i went to a trimmer a while ago b4 i got the issota one, and they quoted me 300 to remove steering wheel, install and put steering wheel back on.i hope this helps

Might it be cheaper to just go to a non-leather wheel, which seem to be more durable than the leather ones

Might depend on how it's treated. My 2001 VR-X has the leather wrapped wheel, and it's still in pretty good nick. Might not look factory new, but it isn't peeling or visibly wearing away. I don't know what the previous owner did (probably nothing), but I put leather conditioner on it every few months.

I'd defintitely get a re-trim costed first.

if your going to replace your steering wheel go for a TL VRX LE steering wheel
i've got one and there great
much better than the standard steering wheels

Also to answer your question, removing/replacing the steering wheel is fairly easy and straight forward. I did mine in about 20 mins. Just make sure the battery has been unplugged for 20-30 minutes. Apparently if there's any charge left in the system it can cause the airbag to go off. No idea if it's true, but i did it just to be safe.

Removing airbag is easy, disconnect negative battery terminal and leave it off for at least 60 seconds.
Use your torx bits and undo both side torx bolts.. the bolts will stay in the steering wheel.
Pull the airbag outwards, towards you, and unplug the safety plug.
Rest airbag facing upwards.. and that's it!

Two other things to be aware of.Make sure it is an airbag compatible wheel.The non airbag wheels won't take one.Also,it needs to be from the cars that had the cruise control on off button on the steering wheel.otherwise you will need to change over the switch.