Any tips on replacing OEM steering wheel?

The OEM steering wheel is all breaking down in my 2nd generation Tacoma and I need two replace it.

Does anyone have any hints or tips on installing a new steering wheel?

I have never done this before, my model does have cruise control and steering wheel controls for the radio. Just figuring out if this is something I can handle on my own.

 

Put a cover on it and drive on.

 

Thanks, but Id prefer replacing it. Just looking for tips on replacing the steering wheel with a new "used" one.

 

by 'breaking down" do you mean getting Super Sticky to the touch?
my brother had a '14 Camry that did that nasty BS all sticky and melted or whatever

 

Yea, basically when it gets hot in the summer it gets nasty. This year I tried cleaning it and it made it worse. I bought a like new used one, just looking for some instructions or tips before I install it. There is an airbag attached so not sure if there are things I should be careful of.

 

Do you use hand moisturizer or any sort of product on a regular basis? If so, you need to stop or your replacement steering wheel will suffer the same fate. The reason it is getting sticky is something containing plasticizers is getting into regular contact with the wheel and literally breaking down the materials on it.

 

For some reason every Jeep I’ve ever owned gets a sticky steering wheel and no heat in the winter.

Never happened with my Fords, Chevys, Mercs, MOPARs and not even with my 1974 Toyota Corona with the steering wheel on the wrong side and and no safety glass.

 

#1 tip when replacing a steering wheel is to disconnect the battery. You do not want the air bag going off.
#2 tip is be sure the the steering does not turn, it needs to be isolated from turning because if it turns too far the clock spring will break you should be ok just removing the steering wheel as long as the shaft is still connected it cant turn too far
#3 buy or rent a steering wheel puller tool
#4 be extra carefull with connector plugs and figure out how to work the tricky lock tabs , be careful not to mash the pins when reassembling
youtube is a better source for how to's like this

 

Mark the splined shaft to wheel with a paint marker so you get the new one back on exactly the same position the old one came off.

 

One of the things I found to help restore the Steering Wheel's condition was to clean it with alcohol and allot of elbow grease. On mine there was a grimy buildup that developed over years of use, it was dark and yes it softens up in the summer heat and got sticky. At first I thought it was the leather itself and nothing I used cut it except alcohol which took a lot of effort. In my case it was just a matter of getting all that off, the underlying leather wasn't exactly like new afterwards but it looked and felt 100% better.

 

If you’re concerned about the air bag just be sure to disconnect the battery, both cables and do a capacitive discharge……you’ll be fine. Do not let the clock spring spin when you have the wheel removed.
Also, be gentile with the connectors on the igniter. The have small locks on them that need to lifted up, then pry gently to remove.
One other thing, there is no master spline on the steering shaft so be sure to have the wheel dead center when you remove it. Due to manufacturing differences the replacement wheel may not go back on perfectly centered.