Steering Wheel removal and handbrake handle removal

[Adrian-9iafn]

Hi all

I have my steering wheel, gear lever and hanbrake handle booked in for re-upholserting, Ive watched all the you tube guides and I have two problems

1. I put a 4mm Allen T bar in the hole at the base of the wheel to locate the release of the air bag and with minimum effort the Allen key slides up and I cant locate anything at all

2. Tried as I have to twist and loosen the handbrake hand cover it is not moving at all. I'm not the strongest in the world, at nearly 60, but I do still throw a few weights around and I did compete in powerlifting so above average but try hard as I can loosen at all

Any ideas ?!?!?

Many Thanks

[IroningMan]

Assuming this is a 9x7.2-onwards round airbag? The thing you're trying to hit with the Allen key is a round wire latch, similar to coathanger wire; it runs horizontally across the top of that hole and needs to be pushed up around a centimetre in order to release the catches that hold the airbag.

You're working against a spring that's pushing the latch down, and the friction of the wire against the hooks on the back of the airbag. It might help to push the airbag unit in gently to relieve the latter, but the most important thing I found was to use a flat-ended tool to put into the hole and push up the wire latch, so it's less likely to slip off. If the end of your Allen key is rounded it's unlikely to work.

You might also find that the wire is right at the 'back' or the 'front' as you feel for it with whatever tool you're using.

I have a wheel here with the airbag removed and can take a couple of pics if you can't find any useful photos online?

[Philvrs]

I removed my 987.2 handbrake cover by lightly heating with an airgun then using both hands side by side to twist it slightly to the passenger sude and back to drivers side until the glue broke free.
It didn’t take much effort at all and I don’t think the heat was necessary.

[Adrian-9iafn]

Thanks guys, I now only have the lever to remove, I got the steering wheel off

I have really worked at the lever handle with mole grips and a rubber pad to avoid damage as well and alas it's still not releasing and the more aggressive I start to get I start to see teeth marks coming through. I'll the heat option and see if it starts to soften and move

[Philvrs]

I seem to remember it wasn’t round either so no more than 10 degrees of rotation was possible or needed, and i think moving the whole handle helps, so both hands on the length of the leather and rotating to passenger and back to drivers side did mine, the glue did go with audible crack when free, then slid off over the button.

[Adrian-9iafn]

It took me nearly two hours, mole grips, heat gun and a lot of twisting, I even shocked the mole grips to loosen

Good job it's being recovered

[IroningMan]

I also have a blue interior, and now that I’ve fitted a Sport Design wheel with a black rim I’m wondering about the other contact points - what are you getting yours re-trimmed with?

[Adrian-9iafn]

I'm having the steering wheel, gear knob, gaiter and handbrake recovered in a GT3 dark grey Alcantara

I might look at the centre console as well at some point as its got a few marks on it

[IroningMan]

Sounds like a good plan. Please post some pics when it’s done.

I wondered if my black wheel rim would look odd with the blue airbag, but there’s enough black detail already - PCM, column cowl, air vents, clocks - that I think it works.



(Mine is Bluenicorn spec - blue paint, blue roof, blue interior, although that picture makes the dash look grey.)

[Adrian-9iafn]

I'd quite like to improve the centre console as it's a little marked and worn. But don't want to spend a heap of cash on this, any thoughts on this ?

[Adrian-9iafn]

a few iPhone pics, about to see if Iike the thickened rim, not sure it will be what I'm looking for, lest see, looks more sports oriented though

[IroningMan]

Looks nicely done.

[Adrian-9iafn]

from a personal preference I'd like the wheel fractionally thinner but I am sure I'll get used to it, looks much smarter now