Steering Wheel Controls

[camper4lyfe]

This morning on my way into work, I went to push the "on" button for my cruise control, and the whole switch housing dropped away from the steering wheel. It didn't come completely off, but it's close enough to off.

Does anyone know how this is actually attached to the steering wheel? I plan to dig into it tonight, but want to know what I'm getting into. I assume the horn pad/air bag need to come out. I do know that step #1 is to unhook the battery and let it sit for 15+ minutes to discharge any capacitors.

Does the pad come off with just a couple screws from the back side? I've never had to dig into a steering wheel before, so this is new territory for me.

Thanks in advance.

Note: Truck is an 03 Ranger FX4.

 

[hondaxr650]

Yup, the airbag has to come out. There is 2 small covers that pop off of the backside of the steering wheel and 2 8mm bolts under there. Then the switches are held to the wheel with screws but the wiring goes behind the wheel. So if you need to completely remove and replace them, the wheel's gotta come off too.

 

[camper4lyfe]

I'm hoping the screws just came out and just need to be tightened back up. Here's hoping.

 

[hondaxr650]

Even if they're broken I'd try to fix them with some epoxy cuz if I remember correctly they're SPENDY! Good luck.

 

[camper4lyfe]

That wouldn't surprise me. I'd definitely try to fix before I replace. I just know from experience that repairing broken plastic tabs is a practice in futility.

 

[camper4lyfe]

JB Weld to the rescue!

It's a temporary fix, at best, but seeing as how I don't have the $70+ to replace the switches, I did my best to JB Weld the two broken tabs back on. We'll see how long it lasts, now.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[corrond56]

the steering wheel doesn't have to come off to replace them. there is more than enough wire to take the switch off and move it around. Only part of the wheel you have to worry about taking off is the air bag.

 

[camper4lyfe]

the steering wheel doesn't have to come off to replace them. there is more than enough wire to take the switch off and move it around. Only part of the wheel you have to worry about taking off is the air bag.

Right. Which is exactly what I did. It really was quite simple. The hardest part is unplugging the wires from the switch (JB Weld cures a lot better when it's not 20 degrees out)