DIY: Steering Wheel AND Turning Signal Stalk Removal

[jrowny]

Someone asked me to post pictures of when I removed my steering wheel and turning signal stalk. So here is my submission to the DIY thread.

Here's a link to the DIY: see below

And just as a side note: I've cleaned my car and don't have blue vent pieces anymore, so don't yell at me for that.

Modified by jrowny at 1:06 PM 1-8-2009

[bigmak]

precaution, tricky.

[jrowny]

There ya go Biggy.

Modified by jrowny at 11:40 AM 4-6-2006

[bigmak]

Quote, originally posted by jrowny »

OH SNAP!!! Unfortunatly MS Paint doesn't have the same red underlining of words as MS Office.

unfortunate.

[RavinJetta]

Just wondering why you say the spline can only be removed 4 times? Good DIY though

[67Customs]

Cool. I need to realign me steering wheel.

[rs4-380]

couple things to add if you are removing the stalks. To get either of them off, you need a 3mm allen wrench to undo the silver locking collar. After this, they pull right off the steering column (with the wires unplugged). There is a small tab that needs to be pushed to the side on the front of the switches to seperate the two of them (its on the perimeter of the circular ring at 3o'clock).

When installing the switches back on the column, you may be tempted to push them all the back, but the steering wheel must push down a small pin on the clockspring for the clockspring to turn freely, if you push the switches all the way back, this won't happen. So just test fit the steering wheel, make sure it is pushing down the pin, and the wheel turns without any resitance of clicking before reassembling everything.

[jrowny]

Quote, originally posted by rs4-380 »

couple things to add if you are removing the stalks. To get either of them off, you need a 3mm allen wrench to undo the silver locking collar. After this, they pull right off the steering column (with the wires unplugged). There is a small tab that needs to be pushed to the side on the front of the switches to seperate the two of them (its on the perimeter of the circular ring at 3o'clock). When installing the switches back on the column, you may be tempted to push them all the back, but the steering wheel must push down a small pin on the clockspring for the clockspring to turn freely, if you push the switches all the way back, this won't happen. So just test fit the steering wheel, make sure it is pushing down the pin, and the wheel turns without any resitance of clicking before reassembling everything.

Thanks! I posted this up like 5 months after I took the pics so I didn't remember any of it.


Modified by jrowny at 4:29 PM 8-25-2006

[david_594]

The nut(sorta) that holds the steering wheel on is only supposed to be used 4 or 5 times according to the bentley manual. Not really sure why though.

Oh, and I never disconnect the battery when working on airbags. It would take longer to disconnect the battery than it does to pull the bag, clock the wheel and reinstall it all.

[mwurman]

hey the link wont work...can i access this any other way?

[Porpoise Hork]

your surprised? its a two year old thread..

[rabbitarmy]

Quote, originally posted by david_594 »

The nut(sorta) that holds the steering wheel on is only supposed to be used 4 or 5 times according to the bentley manual. Not really sure why though

Because of the amount of locktite applied to the threads. add more & reuse if you like

[mccula]

there's a problem with the link
Edit: DOH, thanks for necroing a thread from 2006.


Modified by mccula at 12:47 AM 12-19-2008

[mwurman]

is there another one of these DIY's somewhere? i have a new stalk to put in and yeah, would be helpful

[jrowny]

Since the link is broken and I lost the file, I'm going to rewrite it here.

FORGIVE the blue interior pieces, it was my first car. Now it's my sister's car as I finally graduated college and have been rocking the MKV.

Okay,
Start by turning the wheel 90

BE SURE TO DISCONNECT BATTERY

I don't know what this picture is of

here's the new thingie installed

It's been two years since I did this so I forgot everything involved.

[Biggfrmchi]

Hey Im having problems with my stalk too? Its not weak but the problem is that when I turn either way the cancel goes on, turns the light off but the clicking stays on and even faster. It wont stop till I jerk the steering wheel or stalk. Some one told me it could be the relay for it but I need help bad.

[first9t!]

it could be the contact points on the stalk or the emergency light button. Its what makes the clicking noise when turning. Its only like $24 to replace it, so try that first. They were actually recalled so go into the dealership and give them your vin and see if it has been replaced before. mine had so I bought a new one. Didnt help so I am removing the stock right now and cleaning it up, will let ya know if it helped.

[Skinner]

blast from the past

[first9t!]

just got done, no clicking at all yet. Will let you know tomorrow

[kingblc]

[ATPTourFan]

I just had the local mechanic replace my ignition switch (I should have done it myself, I know!). In the process, he removed my steering wheel and did not put it back on straight.

I also no longer have a turn signal that cancels itself when wheel is centered.

Are there any tricks to fixing turn signals that don't automatically cancel?

[ATPTourFan]

Would the comfort turn signal upgrade include a new mechanism to cancel the signal, or do I still need to investigate a problem with a the control lever?

[euro_driver]

Appreciate the thread. Just changed my stalks today. Very helpful.

Btw talked to a Vw mechanic, he said that there was need for battery disconnection. Only he did say while the disassembling and assembling make Sure not to turn the ignition on.


Modified by euro_driver at 10:21 PM 4-27-2010

[euro_driver]

Appreciate the thread. Just changed my stalks today. Very helpful.

[EJerg]

reviving this, because i bought a used one and only need the cruise stalk and the used one came with a non half-screen display wiper stalk (make sense?) without the computer control buttons, but can't get the two sides separated. any advice?

edit: n/m got it

[SLK350]

reviving this, because i bought a used one and only need the cruise stalk and the used one came with a non half-screen display wiper stalk (make sense?) without the computer control buttons, but can't get the two sides separated. any advice?

edit: n/m got it

Well thank you for re-opening this!
I have the problem of no headlights, only high beams when my headlight switch is on, I replaced the switch to no avail. I was told by a vw mechanic that the problem would be in the turn signal stalk as it controls high beam/ low beam engagement. Would the problem be, do you think, in the stalk itself, or in the wiring?

[ATPTourFan]

ATPTourFan
Re: FV-QR (ATPTourFan)

Would the comfort turn signal upgrade include a new mechanism to cancel the signal, or do I still need to investigate a problem with a the control lever?

Turns out the mechanic did not re-install the clock spring with the wheel perfectly centered. Therefore it would not auto-cancel the turn signals.

I had to replace my clock spring due to an airbag fault, but the turn signal issue was mechanic error.


Here's a youtube video for getting the damn airbag to pop off. It's not obvious until you see this video.

[stwaven]

It would take longer to disconnect the battery than it does to pull the bag, clock the wheel and reinstall it all.

wtf? quit using adjustable wrenches

[smoothy]

Thank you for posting that video!

[jettaberry]

Thanks for the instructions, just what I needed to replace my turn signal stalk and get my hi/lo beam control back.

Here are a few more photos to add to the OP's to help with the replacement.

Here is the double-ground on the airbag:


A view of the release wire on the airbag posts:


I used a 3/8" hex drive to remove the steering wheel nut instead of a spline tool:

[JuanGLS]

Is it possible to take it apart the stalk and clean it?

[JuanGLS]

I have replaced the hazard switch/relay and just took out the turn signal stalk and cleaned out all the metal peices that were built up. When I put it back together it was the same problem. Non stop clicking. Any other ideas or should I try buying a new turn signal stalk. Please help out.