My Sportback has the regular steering wheel (with cruise). I just bought a used leather-wrapped wheel on Ebay from a Ralliart (minus airbag module but with cruise). Is this swap something I can consider doing myself or should I take the car somewhere (probably the dealer) and have them do it? The airbag thing and not messing it up are the main concerns of course...

 

Don't take it to the dealer. It is a little illegal to remove the airbag from a car that had one and they prolly won't do it anyway.

 

+1 I doubt any dealer would touch it (unless your dad owns the place)

 

No,no, I'm not talking about replacing it with an aftermarket steering wheel without an airbag. I bought an actual used Lancer Ralliart Mitsubishi OEM Steering Wheel that is essentially the same as the one in my car, but it's leather-wrapped. It came without the airbag module, that's what I meant.

 

Still, I think a dealership wouldn't touch it... and in reality, it's not that hard to do yourself.

 

if the steering wheel doesn't have an airbag in it i don't think they will swap it.

 

yea still wouldn't take it to the dealer..
Your best bet is to just DIY. it's not hard.

 

Yes, but the airbag module from my car should just swap into the new wheel right?

 

if it is the same steering wheel but one's just leather wrapped it should swap out. I don't know how well it would work but it could be done.
i haven't tried it and i don't know much about it but i kno it would line up

 

I want a how to on this one.. lets see someone rip off the steering wheel and slam on a new one.. cause i got the stock ES wheel.. and much like the gauges... its ugly...

+1

 

To clarify:

1) The "new to me" wheel is Mitsubishi OEM, from a Ralliart, but it is used. It does not have an airbag with it.

2) My plan, is to take or have someone else take the regular wheel and airbag module from my car.

3.) Install the new, leather-wrapped wheel on my car.

4.) Put the airbag module from my car into the new steering wheel.

I would think the dealer would do this because it's just like having to replace something in the steering wheel ( cruise control, etc.). I know they will charge me ( I figure between $50-$100 depending on how involved labor is) but with the amount of driving I do, a leather-wrapped wheel is much nicer then the cheap Mitsu wheel.

If not a dealer, I figure a body shop might, since they replace airbags from wrecked cars

 

you can ask your dealership but they charge you out the a$$ to do it.

a body shop/custom shop of some sorts would be your best bet. I'm sure you could prolly do it yourself if you are a patient person and you have some knowledge of what your doing.

 

Supplies:

Hammer
Gorilla Glue
HUGE bolt Cutters
Plasma torch
some Anger
30 minuets of time

Step 1: Get angry at the steering wheel
2: beat it with the hammer
3:cry
4:get angry again and bust out the torch
5:Sever the steering wheel off the steering column
6:get angry at the mess you just made
7: Gorilla glue the new one on
8:calibrate it by using popsicle sticks and duct tape...
9: post pics
10: wallow in the glory of a truely custom "from nothing to something" job

10 easy steps to steering wheel replacement

 

+1

Thats the way I did mine.

 

THAT is exactly how it would be if I did it and what I am trying to avoid It's funny because it's true...