How to Remove the Steering Wheel of a 2013 Lavida?
3 Answers
Method for removing the steering wheel of a 2013 Lavida: First, ensure the car is parked straight with the wheels facing forward. Loosen the lever under the steering wheel by pulling it downward, then pull the steering wheel outward. Use a shorter cross-head screwdriver to unscrew the 2 to 4 fixing screws from the backside. After removing the screws, take off the plastic cover. The Volkswagen Lavida is positioned as a compact mid-range sedan, with body dimensions of 4670mm in length, 1806mm in width, and 1474mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2688mm. The Volkswagen Lavida is equipped with an EA211 engine, offering two displacement options: a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and a 1.4L turbocharged engine.
As an experienced DIY car enthusiast, I'm quite familiar with removing the Lavida's steering wheel. The first step is absolutely to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery—this is no joke, as airbag deployment could be troublesome. Wait ten minutes for the capacitors to discharge, then use a thin screwdriver to pry open the small cover behind the steering wheel where the airbag retaining hooks are located. Use a T30 Torx wrench to loosen the two fixing screws on either side, and the airbag module can be gently lifted. Remember to handle it carefully to avoid pulling on the wiring harness connector at the back; there's a yellow clip that needs to be released first. Then, use a 22mm socket to tackle the central large nut—German cars have these tightened extremely firmly, so using an extension bar is recommended to avoid frustration. After removing the nut, mark the steering wheel angle to prevent misalignment when reinstalling. The most challenging part is the tight fit of the steering wheel; spraying some WD40 and wiggling it left and right works much better than brute force. It's best to wear gloves during the process to prevent sweat from corroding the steering column metal parts.
I've disassembled the Lavida steering wheel several times myself, and found that safety preparation is the most critical part. You must disconnect the car battery, otherwise the airbag could accidentally deploy at any moment. When removing the airbag module, pay attention to the two fixing holes on the back of the steering wheel - you'll need professional tools to release the spring clips. German cars have special locking mechanisms for airbag wiring harnesses; you must press down the plastic latch on the connector before separation. A 22mm socket is required to remove the steering wheel itself - ordinary wrenches simply won't work. The splines on VW steering columns are particularly prone to rust; applying penetrating oil and letting it soak for half an hour makes the job much easier. Torque control during reassembly is crucial - about 50 Nm is sufficient, as overtightening can damage the threads. The whole process took me two hours in the garage, with the most challenging part being realigning the original marks during reassembly - otherwise the turn signal auto-return function won't work. Finally, check all connectors before reconnecting the battery to avoid triggering fault codes.
