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C6 Corvette: How to Swap Your Steering Wheel

A new steering wheel can change the look and feel of your Corvette. This how-to will help you change out the factory steering wheel for one more to your liking.

By Jared Hammond - February 24, 2015
Contributors: Dreamin, cencalc, DocHolliday

This article applies to the C6 Corvette (2005-2013).

A new steering wheel can improve the look of your Corvette's interior, give you more space in the driver's seat, and can even give you a better grip and feel while driving. It's not a hard modification to make, but you should proceed with caution whenever you are working around an airbag. An airbag isn't as sensitive or devastating as a land mine, but it can still cause serious injury if set off, which is why you may want to consider leaving this job to a professional. If you want to do it yourself, this guide will show you how to safely install a new steering wheel.

Materials Needed

  • Replacement steering wheel
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Any 3mm screwdriver or bit
  • 21mm socket and wrench
  • Steering wheel pull kit (optional)
  • Torque wrench

Step 1 – Disconnect the battery

Make sure the wheels are straight so you don't have to deal with an awkward angle when removing the steering wheel. Disconnect the battery by unplugging the negative terminal, and wait a few minutes for the electronics to discharge. This will prevent the horns from blaring, or the airbag from going off.

Figure 1. Unplug the negative terminal.

Step 2 – Take out the airbag assembly

There are two small holes on the sides of the steering wheel. Insert a 3mm tool into both holes, and the airbag assembly will pop loose. Unplug the black electrical connector. Pry off the yellow clips on the two airbag connectors with a flat head screwdriver, unclip the white connectors, then set the airbag aside.

  • Figure 2. Insert 3mm tool here.
  • Figure 3. Remove two yellow airbag connectors.

Step 3 – Remove the steering wheel

Loosen the center nut with a 21 mm socket wrench, but don't completely remove it. Then, wiggle the steering wheel while pulling it upward to pull it away from the column. When it's loose, remove the center nut and pull the steering wheel out.

Figure 4. Loosening center nut.

Pro Tip

If you're having trouble removing the steering wheel, use a steering wheel pull kit which can be rented from an auto parts store. Attach the two side bolts into the openings on either side of the center hub then tighten the middle bolt on the kit until it pushes against the steering wheel hub. As you tighten it will slowly pull the steering wheel towards you until it finally pops off.

Figure 5. Removal using steering wheel pull kit.

Step 4 – Install new steering wheel

Slide your new steering wheel onto the center bolt and torque the nut to 27 lb-ft. After that, all you have to do is reconnect the electrical and airbag connectors, and you're done. Make sure to reconnect the battery terminal once you're finished, too.

Figure 6. New steering wheel installed.

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