How to Remove the Steering Wheel of a Buick LaCrosse?
2 Answers
The tools required for removal include a flat-head screwdriver and a hex key tool. When prying to a certain extent, use your hand to lift upwards. Since fingers are more flexible and easier to control the force, there is no need to remove the airbag. The area that needs to be removed is the region circled by the black line in the diagram. The components in this area must be completely removed. Once removed, the steering wheel can be successfully taken off.
I've removed the Buick LaCrosse steering wheel twice, and you gotta be extra careful with the airbag module. Step one is absolutely disconnecting the negative battery terminal, then wait 30 minutes for capacitor discharge - you don't want that airbag deploying unexpectedly. There are usually small holes or clips underneath the wheel; use a flathead screwdriver to release the airbag spring clips. Shine a mirror behind the airbag to locate the connector - Buick's airbag plugs have orange tabs that need pressing before removal. The steering wheel center has a large nut requiring a 22mm socket, preferably with a torque wrench. The toughest part is when the wheel sticks to the steering column - don't hammer it! Spend a few bucks on a steering wheel puller to gradually extract it without damaging splines. Before removal, mark alignment between wheel and column with a marker so wheels stay straight during reassembly.
