How to Remove the Steering Wheel of a Ford Focus?
2 Answers
Ford Focus steering wheel removal involves the following steps: 1. Pull the driver's seat all the way back, lower the steering wheel adjustment switch to its lowest position, and pull it outward to the maximum. 2. Remove the rubber cover behind the steering wheel by pulling it out directly with your hand. 3. Rotate the steering wheel to position the 6 o'clock mark upward in preparation for airbag removal. There are three airbag mounting points on the back of the steering wheel. Start from the 6 o'clock position - there's a small groove in the hole. Insert a flathead screwdriver forcefully until it bottoms out, then twist. 4. Disconnect the yellow plug located at the bottom of the airbag by pulling it straight out. 5. Remove the three Torx screws to detach the horn contact ring. 6. Finally, use a 24mm socket to loosen and remove the central large bolt, after which the steering wheel can be taken off.
I've actually disassembled the steering wheel on an older Focus model. First, you need to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and wait ten minutes for the airbag system to power down - not doing this risks accidental airbag deployment which is dangerous. Use a T30 Torx bit to remove the two airbag mounting screws on either side of the steering wheel; they're accessible through small rear holes. After carefully removing the airbag module, unplug the yellow connector. Before using a 17mm socket to remove the central nut, mark alignment positions between the steering wheel and steering column - otherwise you'll face alignment issues during reassembly. For newer models with multifunction buttons, remember to unplug the clock spring connector before removing the wheel to avoid damaging the ribbon cable. Upon disassembly, you'll find the clock spring behind the steering wheel - this fragile component mustn't be rotated randomly, maintaining its fixed position is crucial.
