Steering Wheel & Contact Reel

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1996 Volvo 850. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: If air bag deployed during a collision, contact reel and steering wheel must be replaced.

Removal

1) Before proceeding, follow air bag service precautions. See SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . Disable system. See DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM .

2) Place front wheels in straight-ahead position. Mark steering wheel-to-column location for installation reference. Remove driver-air bag module. See AIR BAG MODULE .

3) Remove steering wheel hub retaining bolt. Remove locking screw at end of plastic warning label from steering wheel, leaving screw attached to plastic warning label. See Fig 1. Install locking screw into contact reel and tighten. Carefully pull steering wheel from column, allowing wiring and plastic warning label to pass through hole in steering wheel.

4) Remove steering column upper and lower covers. See Fig 2. Locate and disconnect contact reel wiring harness connector from behind instrument gauge cluster. Disconnect horn connector at rear of contact reel. Remove contact reel retaining screws. Pull contact reel off steering shaft using care to guide wiring up through steering column.

Fig 1: Removing Steering Wheel

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA

Fig 2: Removing Steering Wheel Covers & Contact Reel

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA

Installation

1) Position contact reel onto steering shaft. Connect contact reel and horn connectors. Install retaining screws. Install turn signal and wiper switches. Install column covers.

2) Contact reel must be adjusted before installation. See CONTACT REEL CENTERING under ADJUSTMENTS. Reverse removal procedure to complete installation.