DIY: Steering wheel replacement with black wood wheel

[smokey7722]

Gilbertsville? That's about 20 min from me. Anyway, good luck! If ya have any fitment issues, let us know. There seems to be some rubbing behind the back cover of the wheel for some of us. I haven't install mine yet, but I may try this weekend.

Yup, not too far from Upper Merion! I'm out in Las Vegas right now though so not that close at the moment.

Looks like I am going to be doing it tomorrow night so I will have updates then.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Went and picked up my wheel on Saturday from the PO, because sig was required. I really like the look of the black perf leather. I got mine from a seller in PA, can't wait to install it

Pulled the wheel out and snapped a couple pics. This is a wheel for a Lexus GX470, I really like the wood color. It's not piano black, but it's like a black tinted burlwood depending on how the light hits it. Definitely a classy wheel and I'm gonna get the Lexus shift knob to match. I got this wheel from a seller in the states for $200 shipped. I really wanted the black perforated leather instead of the light gray with thumb notches.

Here's a few pics

Closeup

Black Perf

:hatsoff:

 

[CookieRoe]

Pulled the wheel out and snapped a couple pics. This is a wheel for a Lexus GX470, I really like the wood color. It's not piano black, but it's like a black tinted burlwood depending on how the light hits it. Definitely a classy wheel and I'm gonna get the Lexus shift knob to match. I got this wheel from a seller in the states for $200 shipped. I really wanted the black perforated leather instead of the light gray with thumb notches.

:hatsoff:

Beautiful wheel!! You still have those thumb notches, just not as prevalent as ours. OEM............ can NEVER go wrong with that! I got a matching "Piano Black" shifter knob to match the wheel from a Lexus (somewhere in CA) on fleabay. Figured, "Why the hell not?"

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Beautiful wheel!! You still have those thumb notches, just not as prevalent as ours. OEM............ can NEVER go wrong with that! I got a matching "Piano Black" shifter knob to match the wheel from a Lexus (somewhere in CA) on fleabay. Figured, "Why the hell not?"

Yeah, I like the thumb bumps, but not the crazy over-exaggerated ones on the other wheel. I'm quite happy with this wheel.

 

[smokey7722]

There seems to be some rubbing behind the back cover of the wheel for some of us. I haven't install mine yet, but I may try this weekend.

Where exactly is the rubbing and when are people seeing it? Figured I would try to get more info so I know where to look and expect to see a possible issue.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

Where exactly is the rubbing and when are people seeing it? Figured I would try to get more info so I know where to look and expect to see a possible issue.

The bottom of the plastic cover that you swap onto the new wheel.

 

[smokey7722]

So all done here and it looks and feels great! Definitely a little nerve-wracking dealing with the airbag but it is simple enough (I also looked up the disarm/arm information within Alldata to make me feel a little more at ease).

I haven't posted photos here in a very long time to attempting it now. Attached has the original wheel to start followed by the replacement installed.

To address the rubbing that some people have noticed... the bottom of the rear shield is a HUGE pain. The original instructions stating there is a bit of trimming is an understatement . It took me probably about 45-60 minutes to trim it well enough to get the shield to clip on enough that it didn't look like it would just pop off. If you take your time, trim it and get the clips to hold it in place you should not have any issues with rubbing at all. I had to trim the pads on the wheel itself AND the edges of the shield as the leather on the steering wheel was hitting the shield at the edges. All I can say is TAKE YOUR TIME and grab a flashlight and a very good sharp knife. Take a little off, test it, take more off, repeat. I didn't get a side shot of mine tonight but I will grab one in the morning.

I'm still partially expecting my airbag to blow at any random moment now though!

 

[CookieRoe]

[MENTION=5084]smokey7722[/MENTION] , great install and thanks for sharing install info!

So after trimming the back cover, it is noticeable? I assume it will looked all scuffed up. [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION] trimmed AND put in a washer to help distance it from the steering column cover. I was hoping that a thick-enough washer would do the trick so no trimming would be necessary.

 

[gshadow325]

looks good!!

 

[emelianenkov]

It's still not enough

 

[smokey7722]

[MENTION=5084]smokey7722[/MENTION] , great install and thanks for sharing install info!

So after trimming the back cover, it is noticeable? I assume it will looked all scuffed up. [MENTION=63211]emelianenkov[/MENTION] trimmed AND put in a washer to help distance it from the steering column cover. I was hoping that a thick-enough washer would do the trick so no trimming would be necessary.

Nope not noticeable at all for me. I trimmed the edges only and on an angle so the outside portion was not really modified. The leather on the wheel was what was stopping the shield from attaching so I trimmed the shields edges where it was being blocked by the leather.

 

[preacher35]

I'm going to order mine this week. Looking forward to a dramatic change in the interior. Next task: purchase and install a new, non-cracked dash.

 

[gshadow325]

Nope not noticeable at all for me. I trimmed the edges only and on an angle so the outside portion was not really modified. The leather on the wheel was what was stopping the shield from attaching so I trimmed the shields edges where it was being blocked by the leather.

Really? Mine was a little of trimming. Maybe my knife skills are better than yours lol

 

[Jembrmstr]

I finally got mine done, had to trim the foam all the way to the metal on the back at the bottom two brackets. It rubbed a couple times but I got it to where it was almost not annoying and then tightened all the screws and viola! Its holding and not rubbing for now! It was really easy and didn't take too long to do!

 

[koalaballa]

installed!

got it installed but my mechanic told me the torx size is T27, not T30. Not sure if anyone else found that to be true.

I gotta say, it was worth every penny. The wheel is a big improvement over the stock SR5 wheel in that I feel the grip of the wheel is so much better. You feel like your connection to the car is better.

I do have a VERY slight rub, but the mechanic guy said he wouldn't put in a washer because it might cause the clock spring to think the airbag should go off if it is too far spaced. *shrug*

Anyway, great mod. Very great mod. Might need a sticky. Mods?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

got it installed but my mechanic told me the torx size is T27, not T30. Not sure if anyone else found that to be true.

I gotta say, it was worth every penny. The wheel is a big improvement over the stock SR5 wheel in that I feel the grip of the wheel is so much better. You feel like your connection to the car is better.

I do have a VERY slight rub, but the mechanic guy said he wouldn't put in a washer because it might cause the clock spring to think the airbag should go off if it is too far spaced. *shrug*

Anyway, great mod. Very great mod. Might need a sticky. Mods?

Its a T30 Torx, a LOT of people (including technicians) mistake that for a T27 as the T27 doesn't feel loose in the bolt until it starts to strip (If it hasn't been stripped a T30 fits nice and tight in the bolt.) I was one of those technicians until my older co-worker mentioned to me that its a T30 and on a whim I double checked it.

On a side note, you bastards need to stop posting those sexy wheel pictures! I need to drop $250 on a sexy sexy wheel like I need a hole in my head right now!

 

[gshadow325]

Looks good. Glad it's working out for everyone.

I think it feels great.

Btw if anyone is going to be in the Washington DC area this labor day weekend, sat to Monday morning. I'll be a few blocks from the white house. We can meet up if you want to check out this wheel in my truck.

 

[emelianenkov]

Only if I can bring my .50 cal

 

[gshadow325]

Only if I can bring my .50 cal

[MENTION=55855]zopperman[/MENTION] will be there for security LOL

 

[97BlackAckCL]

So what are peoples' feelings on the funky fat grips on the bottom sides of the wheel? They look like something from a spaceship. I'm just not sure I could get used to them, just wondering how people like them?

On a clock they'd be about 4 and 8