JDM Prius Steering Wheel

Has anyone removed their Gen III factory steering wheel before? I just received my JDM steering wheel from Japan, was trying to install it by open up the side covers but not sure what I was suppose to remove to get the air bag out. Searched, and instructions only showed Gen II with 2 bolts on the side (torx) that needs to be removed but I don't see the same 2 bolts on the Gen III.

Any info would be appreciated.

Here's the photo of the steering wheel, I like it because of the Piano black top and bottom half hanndle to dress up the interior.

Bought it on Yahoo Japan auction for $220 shipped to my friend locally and I had to pay EMS freight back to the states.



Photo of the steering wheel showing the center girlde, supposedly air bag and side control units are all factory bolt on.



Preferoated black leather combo'ed with piano black coated wooden handle

wow, that is beautiful.

I would go to your dealer and ask the parts department to print you out that parts manual.
Nice upgrade. Make sure to post pictures of the install and the outcome.

That is nice! Does it fit the gen ii also?

You're using the same dark gray/charcoal center cover? Is the JDM center cover this same color or black like the perforated black leather? I'm not sure how they'd look together, but you might have a mismatch problem.

Yes, I will post install pics before and after as usual.

Okay thanks I will dig into this see if I can find an online manual to download.

I am not sure if this wheel fits Gen II, I would assume it's not the same due to the steering buttongs are different? but I can't be 100% sure.

JDM center cover? There isn't any, the center spot is for me to remove my current air bag cover and accessorie button cover over to the steering wheel. I don't think there will be mis-match problem, it's will look like a Lexus LS460 steering wheel instead. I think should work out better than wood grain texture.

You're saying the Japanese center piece is the same color/appearance as in the U.S. Prius?

Never seen a Japanese center before, but it can't be far off. But either way I can already picture in my head how it will look like and it will be nice mix. If it was wood grain then it will be off by alot.

It would be a nice upgrade. I am not really into the plastic grainy feeling on my II.

Outstanding deal! It's currently around $260 + shipping from Rakuten.

This should be DIY, but the Service Manual indicates a "Special Service Tool" is required. You might want to have your dealer exchange it... at most an hour I would think...

Good luck... and please let us know your solution

There is a spring lock on each side to remove the horn button with air bag assembly.

Ken@Japan

Found this with google but it's a dead PriusChat thread. Links work for me.
Some jdm supply shop main page
Google Translate


Steering wheel page 1
Google Translate
Streeing wheel page 2
Google Translate

OK backing out of google translate.

Source is http://www.fledermaus.jp lots of mod accessories check out the lowered Prius down the page on the right. Sweet.

then to www.fledermaus.jp/stee.html the steering wheel page

Dude you need the shiftknob too!

next page www.fledermaus.jp/install.html#steering


Click on Prius Got the instructions with high quality photos.
www.fledermaus.jp/install/steering_set/index.html How to disconnect the 12v.
www.fledermaus.jp/install/steering_set/30prius_2.html
www.fledermaus.jp/install/steering_set/30prius_3.html

All in Japanese but Google English tranlation OK. Great pics.

Looks like the perforated black leather is more like charcoal gray and matches the gray center nicely. It isn't as black as the OP pics led me to believe.

Great find! I particularly like the crucial point, the climax, if you will:

"Steering wheel nut to loosen such as cross wrench, pull. After this, disconnect the steering is fitted very tightly. The handle with both hands and tighten the nuts several turns once around please shake strongly. To avoid injury when exiting the momentum surplus back to the nut."

I presume a "cross wrench" is a socket wrench. The "handle" is the steering wheel itself. "Shake strongly" and presumably pull off the steering wheel. Voila, no special puller needed!

But I'll still wait until the OP reports he/she has successfully accomplished the swap :cheer2:

Thanks for great info I will try today!

Here are the photos of the install, special thanks to James and Ken for shedding info on how to remove the steering wheel. The Japanese photo instructions is so complete I had no issues swapping the steering wheel out, again in my work parking lot. Install time is about 40 minutes taking your time doing it slowly. Here are the photos.



First step remove the negative post on the rear battery. You don't want to short the air bag sensor and have the air bag explode on your face.




Based on the Japanese instructions, you need to press on the spring loaded clips for the air bag on both sides, very easy to do just use a flat head push on it and the air bag sides will pop off from the center. Do the same to the other side and remove the airbag from the steering wheel.



Air bag out



Disconnect the air bag harness



Remove the air bag

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The instrument cover is also held on by 4 screws, 2 on each side top and bottom remove those two and pull the cover out.



Remove the top cover plate, 2 screws one on each side.



Everything all out, now I can remove the center nut holding the steering wheel.



After nut is out, before I yank out the steering wheel I marked the center line on the shaft just in case when I yank out the wheel I might turn the spline and won't know where the center is when I re-install the new wheel.



Stock wheel removed





After you remove the stock steering wheel you need to transfer the back cover and also the cruise control switch onto the new steering wheel. Cruise control switch is held on by 2 screws (again), easy removal. The back plastic cover is held on by jaw clips on the bottom and the top is squeezed in by 2 posts one on each side. Remove the bottom by prying out the jaws away from the base, to remove the top post from the rubber base you lift the cover up and pull out.

To install the new steering wheel just put things back in reverse process. The Japanese instructions did very well for me so I don't need to elaborate anymore than what's already there, below are the pics of the new steering wheel once installed. Overall the new steering wheel matched the interior quite well (IMHO), and with the front chrome grill add on I felt like I am driving a Lexus Prius.

Enjoy the pics






One thing I like about the new steering wheel is that behind the wheel has the finger indentation which makes it very comfortable to hold on to.

Well done Sir! Looks most excellent. Glad to be of service.

Thanks also to netgo back on 4-3-2010 for the original link to the JDM site.

Wow, very nice. I'm very impressed! Good thing you went with piano black because wood grain doesn't look right at all in the Prius.

My Lexus also has these finger indentations which are very comfortable.

Thanks guys! my next mods won't be here for 6-8 weeks so probably no more install photos to share until then.