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JDM Prius Steering Wheel

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by w202mae, May 18, 2011.

  1. col127

    col127 Member

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    Thanks for the info! Appreciate it. So marking the old steering wheel for what's 'true centre' - what exactly do you do?
     
  2. col127

    col127 Member

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    Just to confirm - this steering wheel would work on my Prius C?



    I know that the Prius C's OEM steering wheel is smaller than the regular Prius' steering wheel because the wheelskins for it is different. I think the Prius C's wheel is "shorter" (think of a circle squished down a bit) than the Prius? Just want to make sure I'm not stuck with something I can't use :)

    Thanks all!
     
  3. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Before you pull off the old steering wheel, mark a vertical line on the face of the bolt with a pen. If you're lucky, the splines of the new one might be identical to the old steering wheel. Otherwise, the new steering wheel will end up either slightly off-center to the left or to the right. Just install it where it's least off-center and you'll have up to 1.5mm correction (1-turn) from adjusting the tie rods when you get the alignment done.

    The regular Prius' steering wheel is also squished. I don't see any difference.
     
  4. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    Do you mind elaborating where and what that bolt looks like? Also, what we are supposed to me aligning that vertical line to? Sorry, I am getting my steering wheel soon and would really like to know more detail to help me with the install :). Thanks!
     
  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    See the pic below. Mark a center line on the shaft before you yank out the steering wheel in case you turn the spline while pulling it off. No big deal if you fail to do that as you'll find the least off-center position through trial and error.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. B2FiNiTY

    B2FiNiTY Active Member

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    Col, it will fit. If you check the accessories forum in the c forum, everyone there has used the regular prius wheel.
     
  7. col127

    col127 Member

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    Thanks everyone :)

    Has anyone purchased the MIT version steering wheels? If so, how 'soft' is the leather parts? I was thinking of getting the all-leather version but it's almost double the price... Don't know if I can justify that!

    I hate the stock wheel in my Prius C - the plastic is so hard... My wheelskin helps a little, but it still bugs me :)
     
  8. col127

    col127 Member

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    Perfect, thanks so much. SO you're marking the vertical line on the OLD steering wheel right? So you have a frame of reference somewhere right? I'm guessing you line up the new steering wheel with the old as much as possible...
     
  9. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    The face of the shaft smack dab in the middle of the photo, not the old steering wheel.
     
  10. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    They all are softer than even the stock leather steering wheel found on the higher trims.
     
  11. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    Ahh ok. I thought that blue vertical line right above the shaft is the mark you're referring to lol.
     
  12. col127

    col127 Member

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    Hahah, that's what I thought to - so I thought it was on the OLD steering wheel which didn't make any sense. :p So it's just the circular shaft in the middle of the pic. that makes WAAAY more sense :p
     
  13. col127

    col127 Member

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    Gotcha, thanks for answering my stupid questions. I thought it was that blue line in the picture and was confused :)
     
  14. koipond

    koipond Member

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    great thread. Just purchased a stunning all-leather "sports steering" silk-blaze wheel from Garm on the Prius C forum, but the contents of this thread will walk me through the actual install.

    Question... is it really ok to just disconnect the negative terminal of the battery? Not the positive? Just seems like it ought to be the positive, though I'll follow the official instructions (nervous about that airbag going off).

    thanks!
     
  15. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    The owner's manual is confusing but yes, you remove the negative terminal, being careful not to touch the positive terminal.

    Screen Shot 2013-08-02 at 6.31.18 PM.png
     
  16. koipond

    koipond Member

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    wheel is installed! Looks and feels awesome. Only negative is a slight tilt to the left when the wheels are straight... but expected given the differences between the alignment grooves on various wheels. Will take care of getting the wheel aimed straight during my next front wheel alignment...
     
  17. koipond

    koipond Member

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    p.s. I cheated a bit... on the C the negative termainal (hard to reach) simply runs right to the chassis where it's screwed on for grounding (easy to reach) so rather than disconnect the negative terminal from the battery itself, I merely unscrewed the negative wire where it attached to the car's frame. Same result but easier to manage.
     
  18. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    omg omg omg my steering wheel is here. can't wait to install it tomorrow! any more tidbits of helpful info that will help with my install :D?
     
  19. col127

    col127 Member

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    Any pictures of this? :)
     
  20. larryt1026

    larryt1026 Junior Member

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    Quick question before my install..does the bolt holding the steering wheel onto the shaft have to be torqued a certain amount of pounds? Or did you all tighten it until tight. Thanks!