TL-S steering wheel swap on 6th gen Accords DIY instructions

[jschmid]

Okay, there was quite a few who wanted this, so McChad did the text and I took the pictures. Here you go

Many 6th gen Accord owners have the bomb ride. But if you have an EX non-leather or LX, DX model life may seem a little plain with the budget cheap injection molded vinyl wheel. Feeling the blues from not having the swankness of a leather wheel? Have no fear there is something even better then the OEM leather wheel cover, how about the OEM leather wheel?

The following install will work with any Honda Gen 6-leather wheel. This particular application uses an Acura type-S (TL/CL) wheel installed in a LX sedan (Schmiddy’s Car). These wheels can be purchased at your local dealer cheap, how? Many Acura customers upgrade to the wood grain wheel. The dealer will sell you the old ones if they have it, just call and ask. The same applies to Accord, Odysseys, and the like.

Here's the wheel before install:



[Make sure front wheels are perfectly straight!]

First remove the airbag: Unplug the battery and wait 3 minutes for the system to drain. Then remove caps from the side of the wheel in front of the turn and washer switch arms & remove cover on bottom of the wheel. Disconnect the air bag and horn connection from the panel under the wheel.



Remove the torx bit screws from the side access panels and remove the air bag.

[jschmid]

Part II:
With the airbag cover removed disconnect all factory wire connections. Remove factory wheel lock nut. Now with a steering wheel puller remove the stock wheel.

(pic with steering wheel puller on the wheel: )


(wheel is off the column: )


Now transfer all hardware from the old wheel to the new leather one. When placing the cruise and volume switches back on the new wheel test fit the airbag and make sure gap for switches is as before. If not, loosen screws and readjust. If using a cast aluminum leather wheel you will need to get new screws to hold the rubber balancer weight on top as the stock steel wheel’s will not fit with factory screws.

Now reinstall the new wheel by centering it on the shaft and tightening down the lock screw to 40-45 ft-lbs. Reinstall wire clips. Reinstall airbag in reverse order. Be sure to hook up horn and airbag connections.

Check fit and finish. When satisfied reconnect battery.

Some finished pics
Mine:



MrChad's:



I know every step is not pictured but you get the idea

[Typs-S wheels will fit on Preludes but requires the purchase of Gen 6 airbags and cruise control switch. As stock Lude parts won’t fit the new wheel. All other wires are the same and will direct plug. This applies to Gen 5 Accords (CL’s) as well.]

(Note: If you are unfamiliar with airbags and such do not attempt this yourself. I assume no responsibility for your inability to do this install should something go wrong. Don’t call me when you mess it up. This is a disclaimer.)

[steveng]

does Tl have two tone steering wheel or just black?

[jschmid]

Originally posted by steveng
does Tl have two tone steering wheel or just black?

All black

[jschmid]

Originally posted by EliteAccord


So the 5th Gen Accord uses the Acura CL steering wheel?

I'm not quite sure what MrChad meant by that...he wrote the text. Maybe the older CL's?

[iNteGraz92]

yes, the old cl's

[Dr. Reef]

Where the hell does one find a steering wheel puller?

Can I get this tool from somwhere?

[motu]

If I buy a new wheel, does it come with a new airbag? Cause I have an ivory interior (looks like MrChad does also) and the center of my wheel is that tannish color. Can I get an "ivory" wheel, or do I have to use all black?

[Saloon-Cruiser]

how did mcchads do his center steering wheel (where the airbag is located) to be black?

[MrChad]

I have a coupe--Coupes are all black, airbag too.

The type-S wheel will fit 94-97 Accord/CL and Ludes 97-01 but will require you to purchase the airbag also. As the airbags from these cars won't interchange with the new wheel. You will also need a new set of cruise switches and maybe a backing plate. However all the wires are the same as gen 6 cars so no splicing should be needed.(this is really hardcore for Gen5 cars as they need to find an airbag $$$$)

Type-S wheels will fit all 98-2002 Accord and works with their airbags.

If your airbag is not already black you will need to find one of those too. However, its most economic to reuse your airbag$$

A Steering wheel puller can be found at any Autoparts store around $10bucks. Bolts to aid in pulling wheel may not be included for the sides, locate any hardware store $0.52 cents. Being able to remove any wheel you want, priceless

In addition, to the install above I forgot to mention:
If you move or bump the rotary cable housing that all the wires are housed in and it spins you will need to reset the turn signals. Its easy, turn the cable assembly all the way clockwise until it stops. then turn it back 2 1/2 times until the arrow is pointing up and remount the steering wheel and tighten down the lock nut to spec.

I may have a Type-S wheel (no airbag) for sale. $75.00 plus you pay shipping. Please e-mail, first come first serve. When that one is gone I may be able to find a few more for the same price if you are willing to wait.

[moofoo]

for more information and instructions ... very detailed from honda itself... these instructions are for installing a wood steering wheel but it should apply to the type S wheel as well.

Hope this helps.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/accord/accwoodwhl.pdf

[MrChad]

Originally posted by moofoo
for more information and instructions ... very detailed from honda itself... these instructions are for installing a wood steering wheel but it should apply to the type S wheel as well.

Hope this helps.

http://www.handa-accessories.com/accord/accwoodwhl.pdf

Yes they have an excellent set of directions, but pictures can be helpful. I've posted the handa-acc link before but questions still persisted so Schmiddy and I felt the thread was needed. I hope people find it helpful.

I hope if people have non-leather wheels they don't limit them selves to just type-S ones for upgrade. The honda line-up has tons of leather wheels from 2000 and beyond that should complement any interior design. I think swapping out for a true leather OEM wheel looks better then the cheap leather wheel wrap. I had it before the upgrade, it can't compare to the feel of a real leather wheel. Just call your local Acura and Honda dealers find out what they have lying around from upgrading other cars and see if you can work with them to fetch the wheel you need. It works out so much better then ordering a wheel since the price is way cheaper. And 9 out of 10 times the wheel you get still has the factory seal on it anyway since they come from new cars.

[Dr. Reef]

Dammit!

I got stiffed by a guy on the internet!

He had an MDX wheel up for auction, and I won it at 99 CENTS! I guess the ****er realized it was worth more and decided that just because the auction is binding doesn't mean he is bound by it. Nobody else wanted the damn thing so why not let me have it? I mean, I WON THE FRICKING AUCTION FOR GOD"S SAKE!

The MDX's fit a little rough, but I really wanted to put it on my car.

That sumb!tch don't want to play fair.

[MrChad]

Umm Ya,

anyone else have some gen 6 leather wheel conversions?
I had hoped this to be a rather informative DIY Post.

[Dr. Reef]

Trying to do the conversion as we speak.

I can't find a fvcking torx screw driver to fit the goddam bolts!

I couldn't even get started before I'm stopped dead in my tracks!

Any help on how to get the dammed bolts out?

[MrChad]

Sorry they are in good.
Go to sears and get a torx 30 bit I believe. Usually they come as a screwdriver set. Then turn the screw driver with vise grips to break them loose. You should have know trouble, the right tools are important. If it says a torx you need a torx.

[Dr. Reef]

Okay, I just got a T30 torx driver. Now I can't turn the fvcking screw. Guess I better get some vise grips and pray.

How will I ever get them that tight again?

And, did you replace them with new torx screws? It says to do so.

[MrChad]

I just put the old ones back in.

And not as tight.

Caution!! Reuse of the old ones is done at your own risk. I was not able to get them nearly as tight. They are one time tork spec bolts. If you attempt to tighten them up that far again they will likely snap.

If you don't have a torque wrench you can't get them that tight as you don't know the spec with out it.

[Dr. Reef]

Well, I finally got the steering wheel off, and then I switched it over to the new one. Then when I went to put the new one on, I found out that I had stripped the receptor that your steering wheel nut bolts in to. So, I had no way to hold my new steering wheel on. A little prayer, and repeated gentle tries and the bolt started and threaded in.

So, now everything is put back together, and it looks sweet, is a perfect color match, and better than that, it feels great to the hand. It is softer, has a little better grip because it feels thicker and less cheap, but is not as heavy as the old one.

SWEET!

If anybody would like a TL-S black or beige leather wheel that bolts on perfect to your 6th gen accord, please send me a PM. This is the easiest and one of my favorite upgrades so far on my ride, and I have tons.

Thanks,
Brian

[jschmid]

Sweet! I'm glad it worked out for ya. I'm with you, I love the way it feels while driving. Nice work.

[Dr. Reef]

I want some high quality clear front housings for my headlights.

Any input guys?

schmit your look great.


Should I buy some stock ones and take out the amber part or is there a decent set I can get aftermarket.

No projectors, just straight up clear and cyrstal clear glass.

[jschmid]

Thanks.

You can buy some aftermarket ones, many people have and seem to be happy with them. I opted for the self-clear route basically to save money, but also to stick with the OEM fitment and quality. Is there a reason you don't want to clear the ones that are on your car?

[ShAg9yBrDr]

i like that too bad i have a tan interior to my car tho.

[Dr. Reef]

jschmid, the guy before me already put on clear aftermarkets. Somehow over the past 2 years, the plastic housing has managed to get coulded and can't tell if it's tons of microscratches or just dust inside, but it looks like poo. My light dont' shine thru as purty and it shows up dirty on the inside housing when the lights are on. Also, don't shine in daylight like glass would.



So I need new ones.


Shaggy, I've got a beige leather wheel if you've got a beige center piece. I take paypal too!

[MrChad]

If your headlights are clouded its because you drive way fast up peoples asses. Its the dirt and crap sand blasting your lenses. Mine are this way now. Getting new ones won't help unless you get some sort of lens protection like a poly tape film.

Tan interiors can use Ivory leather wheels. (Accord/cl/tl or mdx have them.)

[99cordv6]

Anyone have a black leather TL-S wheel for sale anymore? I've got a 99 accord v6 coupe and really want to swap out the oem vinyl one. Hit me up on PM or @ acv1081@aol.com


Thanks,
Adam

[LimitedSC2k1]

Does anyone know which year CL/TL steering wheel will work in a 99 accord. Thanks

[buffalobill]

hey jschmid -

Great 'how to do it', but I have a question before I start to install the TL-S wheel on my '02 Accord EX coupe (w/ cloth interior) :
what did you mean when you wrote (in the 2nd post of this thread): "if using a cast aluminum leather wheel you will need to get new screws to hold the rubber balancer weights on top. . ." I haven't removed the wheel yet, and don't have a clue what you are referring to ! Can you enlighen me, and if I need to get 'new screws' - what size and how many?

Thanks !

[dastros22]

What year is the acura wheel from that will fit the 1999 honda accord coupe?

[buffalobill]

The one I have is from an '02 (I think, for I bought ir from a private party who got it from a dealer) and it's going on an '02 Accord EX coupe.

Still need a reply to my question two posts back. . .Thanks