Does anyone know how to remove the center part of the steering wheel?

Does anyone know how to remove the center part of the steering wheel? The part that covers the air bag?

 

Ooo I know I know! Run into something and make your airbag deploy. I am sure it will come off then!

 

i knew someone would say that; but on the 1st reply?

 

I was thinking it before entering the thread. Kinda disappointed I was late on the draw.

 

Yeah, I couldn't resist. Sorry.

 

Disconnect the battery and wait a half hour. Then remove the bolts from the backside of the steering wheel, grab the top and bottom edges and pull the center loose. Disconnect the harness connecter, and place it face up on a bench or counter. The "cover" and airbag will come out as one piece.

 

The battery should be disconnected, but there's no need to wait half an hour. Air bag's are pretty stable, and have no back up power source. Just use common sense, and be careful.

 

Actually you really need too. Airbag systems have capacitors that hold a charge for power loss situations.

And I'd remove the fuse for good measure.

 

I was working on cars before air bags were standard equipment. Toyota says 90 seconds is long enough to wait, so that's good by me. Do what ever makes you feel safest.