2002 steering wheel on a 1999..........

[Instigator]

ive never removed my stock 99 steering wheel.....i want to install a 2002 wheel, is athere a how to? how easy is steering wheel removal? do i need to buy anything else to make it work?

thanks

[ND4SPD]

I actually think this has been covered a few times... and last i heard, it was VERY difficult and not with the effort :(

you're an older member, you've searched and couldn't find anything?

i found this: http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=14&threadid=21007&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=
maybe it helps :)

[Funkboy316]

i know scottina pulled it off, maybe pm him and he can get back to you. i know he did it cause i sold him my airbag...lol

IIRC you need the 01-02 wheel

01-02 airbag

01-02 clockspring

and you need the 01-02 wiring harness or wiring experience to cut and splice the wiring for the bags, horn, and cruise. but im not 100% on that one ...because it would make sense that the clockspring would already have the new harness maybe

[scottina99]

I have done this as Funkboy said and it is very easy! BUT....you do need the airbag plug from an 01-02 Cougar. All you need is the steering wheel(you can get new ones on car-parts.com for about $40-$45. Make sure if you have cruise to get one with cruise or the opposite if you dont)...airbag.....expensive($200) unless you find a cool guy like Funkboy.....and the plug that comes from the car on the 01-02 Cougar. I guess you could just splice the wires together(I dont recommend and have no idea what would happen)....but I had access to an 02 wreck. The horn, cruise etc. uses the same wiring.....plug and play.
http://www.fastcougar.com/forums/attachments/int22.jpg

[Funkboy316]

so just to clarify then...you dont need the clock spring just the wheel and airbag. and airbag wiring plug

[scottina99]

Originally posted by: Funkboy316
so just to clarify then...you dont need the clock spring just the wheel and airbag. and airbag wiring plug

YEP!

[bensenvill]

Originally posted by: Instigator
ive never removed my stock 99 steering wheel.....i want to install a 2002 wheel, is athere a how to? how easy is steering wheel removal? do i need to buy anything else to make it work?

thanks

I had a howto posted at one point [only because I struggled to remove mine]. it really is a beatch to remove the airbag bolts [one on each side of the back of the steering wheel]. I "believe" they are a torx40 bit. and there are only 2 [there are like 3 sets of holes on each side... the bolts are the middle set].

You gotta remove a few dash peices to do this... gotta remove the panel directly below the steering column [2 screws]. then you gotta remove the dash panel that contains the headlight and dimmer knob. that will give you enough room [hopefully] to get access to the airbag cover bolts. those 2 bolts are locktighted on like nobodys business.

then you simply have to remove the bolt in the center of the steering wheel to remove it. It takes quite a bit of leverage to loosen it.

but the most important thing is TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE CAR BATTERY TERMINAL FIRST... and make sure AT LEAST 20 MINUTES before the airbag is reconnected.