MY12 STi steering wheel install in MY07 GT-B
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 8:21 pmI recently put out a WTB on this forum, Rexnet and Impreza WRX Club for a DAMD or PROVA steering wheel to replace my very tired, scratched and shiny stock GT-B tiller. Providence came through, and I was offered a wheel with only 5000 K's from an MY12 STi. Of course, the owner had upgraded to a DAMD... 
Since I had the negative off the battery for another job today, I was ready to go!
I used the various how-to's on Nasioc, which I'd read and re-read till I knew the process and pitfalls backwards. Doing the swap took less than an hour, even with removing the steering wheel a second time to recheck the alignment. That last bit is the crux of the matter, when next I do it, I'll attach the tape used to realign the steering wheel AFTER I crack the main nut that holds the wheel on. This tape goes from the steering wheels rear cover to the steering column cover. I put it on in three strips, then cut it at the join between the covers, all at different angles to help with realignment on the splines. I put the tape on before I cracked the nut, cracking it obviously will move the wheel a little, which makes realignment harder. Read the how-to's and take care with everything especially the nut, the wiring, the alignment and the clockspring.
Old wheel, worn, scratched, munted, not really the first thing you want to see when getting in:
We're committed here, the nut is off, I'm about to gently hammer the wheel with my fists at 3 and 9 o'clock to loosen it on the splines:
Oh yeah! This goodness is MINT!!! Anyone got a matching gear knob?
So now I have a spare postFL wheel - useful for a core swap or re-covering project.
I really recommend this mod, it's easy, fun and makes a massive psychological difference to the driving experience.
Since I had the negative off the battery for another job today, I was ready to go!
I used the various how-to's on Nasioc, which I'd read and re-read till I knew the process and pitfalls backwards. Doing the swap took less than an hour, even with removing the steering wheel a second time to recheck the alignment. That last bit is the crux of the matter, when next I do it, I'll attach the tape used to realign the steering wheel AFTER I crack the main nut that holds the wheel on. This tape goes from the steering wheels rear cover to the steering column cover. I put it on in three strips, then cut it at the join between the covers, all at different angles to help with realignment on the splines. I put the tape on before I cracked the nut, cracking it obviously will move the wheel a little, which makes realignment harder. Read the how-to's and take care with everything especially the nut, the wiring, the alignment and the clockspring.
Old wheel, worn, scratched, munted, not really the first thing you want to see when getting in:
We're committed here, the nut is off, I'm about to gently hammer the wheel with my fists at 3 and 9 o'clock to loosen it on the splines:
Oh yeah! This goodness is MINT!!! Anyone got a matching gear knob?
So now I have a spare postFL wheel - useful for a core swap or re-covering project.
I really recommend this mod, it's easy, fun and makes a massive psychological difference to the driving experience.
The silver buttons look really out of place on the tbSTi lib and the darker STi ones would match the rest of the trim much better!
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