Hi, So im thinking of replacing the wheel in my car with the ST version (as its better) then changing the chrome bit so it looks standard.

Couple of questions - Assuming its from the same year etc will it fit? The ones im looking at are threespoke like mine, from a Focus like mine and the same year as mine. Should be fine yeah?

Will it effect my MOT if they think the airbag has been removed? And will changing it cause the airbag light to go on?

Can i change it without disconnecting the battery as i dont have the code?

Thanks in advance!

You cant change it without disconnecting the battery as the charge could explode the airbag. Disconnect battery and leave for 30 mins to be on the safe side. It should be a straight swap for an original ST wheel with airbag but your insurers might not like you doing it as you are interfering with one of the cars safety systems.

you need to disconnect the battery to change it.

alot of people have retrofitted the 4 spoke wheel with CC on our 3 spoke wheels, so replacement isnt hard, the only hard bit is removing the airbag clips. the airbag light wont go on if you removed and re-connected it while the battery was disconnected

and yes it will fit just fine

If you're going to the effort of changing, might as well go for a cruise wheel!

It's not difficult to change but you will need to disconnect the battery if you like your face attached to your head... ;) It won't affect MOT at all. It may affect insurance but shouldn't really.

If you've got the standard stereo I may be able to get the code from your reg. :)

Cheers guys that's cleared it up for me. :D

I guess insurance would only find out if I made a claim or something? I guess I could just replace it like for like as my current wheel is damaged anyway so needs to go, then they'd never know. Just thought as I'm taking it off I may as well upgrade it.

Still find it strange that a so called safety feature is designed to detonate directly in your face in the event of an accident. And I wear glasses too so I'd probably be de-nosed in the process.

Cheers Tom I'll PM you my Reg. Yeah its the standard stereo.

There is no need to disconnect the battery when removing the steering wheel airbag. You only have to disconnect the clock spring connector at the steering collumn side. When this connector is removed the airbag will automatically be connected to earth by a spring inside the connector. This will immediately discharge all possible residual charge from the wiring/airbag. This is even safer than disconnecting the battery.

How easy is that to do? And how do i find it? I dont want to disconnect the wrong thing and take an airbag to the boat.

Leaving the battery alone would be good because of radio code issue.

After the steering collumn covers are removed (these covers needs to be removed anyway to have enough space to unlock the steering wheel airbag) you have access to the clock spring connector. This is a 9-pole connector (usually 3 pins are empty). If this connector is disconnected none of the steering wheel functions will function. This can simply be checked by pressing the horn button. If the correct connector has been disconnected the horn will not function.

I'm not sure I agree there Wilco. The action of unplugging or re-plugging anything in the airbag wiring could cause a surge or spike. I have accidentally done this to a seatbelt pretensioner in the past so would not like to try it with an airbag lol.