1994 Ford F-150 Remove Steering Wheel

Removing the steering wheel from a Ford F-150 used to be fairly easy, until airbags started becoming standard equipment. Now there are safety issues to be concerned with--removing an airbag can be a tricky process. It must be handled carefully, or you risk exploding the airbag and causing injury and/or damage to the vehicle. In this case, the project vehicle is a 1994 Ford F-150, but the process is similar for other vehicles as well.

Tools Used

Tools
Open-end wrench set
Flathead screwdriver
Torx-head screwdriver
1/2-inch ratchet, extension and socket set
Steering wheel puller tool

Remove Steering Wheel

• Pop the hood and use an open-end wrench to disconnect the negative terminal from the battery, then remove the positive terminal. Allow the vehicle to sit for five minutes to allow backup power to dissipate.

• Reach behind the backside of the steering wheel and use the flathead screwdriver to pop off the plastic covers on the back. Use the Torx-head screwdriver to remove the screws underneath the cover.

• Pull the airbag forward off the steering wheel. Unplug the airbag harness from the airbag and carefully carry the airbag, face up, away from the vehicle. Set the airbag down face up on a static-free workspace.

• Unbolt the center bolt on the steering wheel using the 1/2-inch ratchet, extension and socket. Mount the steering wheel puller on the steering wheel so that the center of the puller is positioned on the center of the steering column, exacly where the bolt was that you just removed.

• Tighten the steering wheel puller using the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket until the steering wheel pops off of the column. Remove the steering wheel puller from the wheel using the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket.

Tips & Warnings

• Always store the airbag so that the horn button points up, toward the ceiling; if the airbag is accidentally activated, it could turn into a projectile.