For an unprepared car owner, removing the steering wheel of a Toyota Camry often becomes quite problematic. The fact is that on Camry in body types 30, 40 and 50, all technological holes are covered with covers. In addition, it is necessary to follow the maximum sequence of actions to avoid damage to the electrical wiring or deployment of the airbag installed in the steering wheel.
Having all the necessary information, a car enthusiast can remove the steering wheel along with the cushion from the car in less than an hour, or completely disassemble the steering column. But if you have doubts about your own abilities, it is better to contact specialists at your nearest car service center.
When you have to disassemble the steering wheel
Most often, according to statistics, the steering wheel needs to be removed after the airbags deploy. Also, sometimes the ring located in the steering wheel for the control buttons does not work and needs to be replaced. The steering wheel must also be disassembled when repairing the switch block located on it. In addition, the steering gear bushing often wears out, causing it to bump and bite, making the car dangerous to drive.
In addition, replacement and repair are often required if, after an accident, the body has changed its geometry and violated the symmetry of control.
Finally, in some cases the steering wheel is changed only for aesthetic reasons. For example, if there are scratches on the Camry 40 steering wheel cover, the car owner decided to install a beautiful steering wheel with a wood-like overlap, or even decided to install a compact and stylish multifunctional steering wheel. Recently, it has also become fashionable to restyle by installing a sports steering wheel with inserts made of a special material that increases the grip on the palms. There are more and more such steering wheels on Avito and their price is quite reasonable.
Instructions for installing a steering wheel with wood inserts on a Camry V50
Step one Remove the side plugs under which there are clamps for the upper steering wheel cover or horn buttons. This is done by lightly pressing into the groove of the casing, as shown in the photo, we clarify that these holes are on the right and left, Fig. 2
Step two Here is the most difficult, but at the same time simple, if you look carefully at the holes on the right and left, you will see very small studs that secure the top cover of the steering wheel, which hides the main steering wheel mount. When you find these latches, you need to press them with very little force, for example with a screwdriver, BUT! Important point! – be sure to hold the steering wheel cover (horn button) with your hand, since when it snaps off, the cover flies out with slight acceleration and its internal fasteners can scratch the steering wheel buttons Fig. 3
Step three Disconnect all visible connectors Fig. 4
Step four Unscrew the podiums of the steering wheel buttons and the main fastening nut Fig. 5, 6
After you have finished disconnecting all the wires and fastenings of the podiums, we clarify that the yellow wire does not need to be disconnected, as shown in Fig. 7, 8
Step five: Remove the rear casing of the original steering wheel and install it on the steering wheel with wooden inserts, Fig. 9
Step six Install the steering wheel with wooden inserts, Fig. 10
Before installing a steering wheel with wooden inserts, you need to attach the podiums of the steering wheel buttons to it, which you have successfully removed from the original steering wheel. We clarify that the steering wheel with wooden inserts is an exact copy of the original steering wheel, so the podiums are attached to absolutely the same places as on original steering wheel. After you have secured the podiums, laid the wiring in the same places where it was before, place the top cover of the steering wheel (horn button) in its “own” place, and with a little force tap your hand on the upper right and left corners, in the process you you will hear characteristic clicks accompanied by a sound signal, as you will have to press the button. Using these instructions, the time spent on installation should take no more than 1 hour.
How to disassemble the steering wheel on a Toyota Camry 40 V 3.5 l.
Regardless of whether you have a right-hand drive or left-hand drive Camry, be sure to disconnect all battery terminals before removing the steering wheel. This will protect you from false airbag deployments.
Then you need to use a screwdriver to remove the plastic plugs located on the sides of the steering wheel, after which the fastening bolts will open. Then you need to evenly unscrew the airbag mounting bolts, slightly pull it towards you and disconnect the rear control connector.
After it is completely removed, you can begin to unscrew the lock nut. Then you can disconnect all the connectors and begin removing the steering wheel. It's not that easy because the fasteners are very tight. To make things easier, you can use an old but practical method.
Procedure for removing steering wheel buttons
Over time, the paint on the steering wheel buttons wears off or the backlight LEDs fail. To replace or repair them, it is not necessary to completely remove the steering wheel - you just need to unscrew and remove the airbag.
Since you have to carry out operations with the airbag, before
removing the steering wheel covers in the Camry 40 or 50, you need to disconnect the positive terminal of the battery and wait at least two minutes.
After removing the cushion from the steering wheel, you must carefully disconnect the terminals from the wires of the steering wheel buttons, then unclip the plastic latches located on the inside. After this, you can safely remove the switch block for subsequent repairs or replace it with a new one.
From the video at the link you can familiarize yourself with the procedure for removing the pillow and buttons.
How to remove the steering wheel without using special equipment
There are holes with a diameter of 6 mm under the airbag location. The same holes are drilled in a small metal plate, only one hole is located strictly between them in the middle.
The plate must be screwed to the steering wheel with small bolts, after leaving the nuts between the end of the shaft and it. The bolt screwed into the nut presses evenly on the shaft over the entire area and after 5-6 turns tears the steering wheel off the shaft. This way you can save on buying a special hood, which may never be needed again in your life.
Procedure for removing the steering wheel
To remove the steering wheel on a Camry, you need to follow a certain sequence of actions.
Attention! All operations must be carried out with the terminals disconnected from the battery. Otherwise, there is a risk of spontaneous deployment of the airbag. After disconnecting the terminal, it is recommended to wait 2 minutes for the capacitors to completely discharge.
To remove the steering wheel on a Camry v50 or v40, you will need the following tools:
- Phillips and flat screwdriver;
- multifaceted key N4 or No. 6;
- 19mm head with ratchet.
The removal process is performed as follows:
- To gain access to the mounting bolts, you must remove the plugs installed on both ends of the steering wheel. This can be done by prying them off with a screwdriver or other flat, pointed object. To avoid leaving marks on soft plastic, you can use an unnecessary bank card.
- When the plugs are removed, you need to unscrew the airbag mounting bolts using a multi-faceted wrench. To avoid distortion of the cushion and jamming of the fastening, it is necessary to unscrew the bolts evenly. It should be taken into account that they sit in special nests, and after release the pillows remain in place.
- Pull the pillow slightly towards you and disconnect the control connector located behind it. After this, the pillow can be completely removed.
- Then use a socket wrench to unscrew the steering wheel mounting nut.
- Remove the steering wheel directly, carefully disconnecting all contacts.
Before removing the steering wheel on a Camry , you should prepare a special puller or use improvised means. The fact is that the steering wheel splines are strongly compressed by the fastening nut, and over time they “stick”. It is not recommended to knock the steering wheel off the shaft with a hammer - you can not only ruin its appearance, but also disrupt its geometry, as a result of which it will become unusable.
There is a proven way to remove the steering wheel on a Toyota Camry 30, 40 or 50 using improvised means. For this you will need:
- 2 bolts with a diameter of 6 mm and a length of 3–4 cm.
- a small metal plate 4–5 mm thick;
- a bolt with a diameter of 10–12 mm and a length of 5–8 cm with a nut.
At the base of the steering wheel, under the airbag, there are symmetrically located holes for 6 mm threaded bolts. Similar holes are drilled in the metal plate along the edges, and one large hole in the center, located exactly between them. Then the plate is screwed to the steering wheel with small bolts, and a small gap is left, sufficient to place a nut between it and the end of the shaft.
As it twists into the nut, the bolt begins to put pressure on the end of the shaft, gradually lifting the plate along with the steering wheel attached to it.
As practice shows, 3-4 turns of the bolt are enough to “snap” the steering wheel off the shaft. This is the only known and easiest way to remove the steering wheel on a Camry 50 without using a special puller.
Useful tips for car owners
Don't be too quick to suggest a replacement until you've read these tips.
The cable terminals should be disconnected before removing the steering wheel, not after. Otherwise, with a sharp jerk you may not control your efforts and tear it off. Unlike the mechanisms of a trolley, a train is so simple that it simply cannot be of poor quality.
This is one of the few cases when it can be said that it is better to buy Chinese consumer goods than to pay extra for a branded train. Both loops will work the same.
Even after removing the airbag, do not reconnect the battery terminal until you have reinstalled it. Otherwise, the on-board computer will consider that it has worked, and it will only be possible to convince it with the help of a specialist, of course, for money.
If you are driving straight and the steering wheel is tilted, do not remove it, but reinstall it. Most often, the cause of this problem lies in incorrectly adjusted wheel alignment.
Removing the steering wheel and driver's side trim on a Toyota Camry
Using a Torx socket wrench, remove the 2 Allen screws securing the side plugs.
Rice. 5.17. Loosening the steering wheel pad mounting bolts
Loosen the steering wheel pad mounting bolts. Loosen the bolts until they lock into place as shown in Figure 5.17.
Remove the steering wheel pad.
ATTENTION
Do not pull the pad sharply. Be careful not to break the steering airbag wire connectors.
Rice. 5.18. Airbag wiring connectors
Using a screwdriver, disconnect the 2 connectors securing the steering airbag wires, as shown in Figure 5.18.
Remove the steering wheel pad.
Rice. 5.19. Steering wheel pad maintenance rule
ATTENTION
During the entire operation, to avoid damage, keep the overlay face up (Fig. 5.19). Do not attempt to remove the steering airbag capsule.
Rice. 5.20. Removing the steering wheel
Mark the steering wheel and main shaft. Using a special tool, unscrew the steering wheel mounting nut and remove the steering wheel (Fig. 5.20).
Rice. 5.21. Steering column upper casing bolts
Using a screwdriver, unscrew the 2 screws securing the upper steering column casing (Fig. 5.21).
After unscrewing the three bolts, remove the lower casing cover No. 2.
After disconnecting the connector, remove the headlight dimmer assembly.
Remove the coiled wire combination switch.
After disconnecting the connector, remove the windshield wiper switch assembly.
NOTE
Do not disassemble the spiral wire and avoid contact with oil.
Rice. 5.22. Fastening the front door sill trim
Remove the front door sill trim by disconnecting 7 clips and 4 fastening clips (Fig. 5.22).
Rice. 5.23. Attaching the interior side decorative trim
Disconnect the 2 clips and remove the side decorative trim of the interior (Fig. 5.23).
Rice. 5.24. Driver's Side Lower Trim Panel Attachment
Unscrew the two bolts and disconnect the hood lock cable. Disconnect the three fastening clips and remove the lower trim panel on the driver's side (Fig. 5.24).
Remove the four screws and lower trim panel insert.
Rice. 5.25. Attaching the instrument cluster trim
Unscrew the two screws, disconnect the 2 fastening clips and remove the trim of the instrument cluster (Fig. 5.25)
Diagnostics
Important! Carrying out diagnostics of the steering wheel when a knock appears in the steering column on a Toyota Camry v40 is the main task of the car owner, as well as repairing identified problems.
If we take into account the reliability and build quality of Toyota Camry cars, then the appearance of any extraneous knocking in the steering wheel is a serious reason for immediate diagnosis in a specialized car service center. To determine the cause of a knock in the steering column on a Camry, specialists conduct a visual inspection of each part and connection. The purpose of such an inspection is to identify the presence of play in parts of the steering wheel or bearing faults. Testing each steering mechanism for loose fasteners allows you to reliably determine the source of the problem. After inspecting and troubleshooting the steering wheel, it is necessary to test the vehicle while driving. When driving the car, you should not hear a characteristic knock; if the steering wheel still knocks, it means that the problem is more serious and needs to be fixed immediately.
Of course, many car enthusiasts who have sufficient experience in car repairs can carry out similar steering wheel diagnostics on their own. In most cases, you can fix the identified problem on your own, if you have the necessary tools and spare parts.
Methods to get rid of knocking in the steering wheel
All vehicle mechanisms have operating time limits, including the steering wheel. This time depends not only on the quality of the part, but also on the operating conditions of the unit. The heaviest loads usually fall on the suspension, but the steering system experiences no less load, so on a Toyota Camry, knocking in the steering column is not uncommon.
Operating a car is impossible without regular use of the steering wheel, so this part of the car is the most vulnerable. If there is significant wear on the steering wheel parts, the car owner may hear a specific knocking sound in the steering wheel, but we will find out how to get rid of it later.
Let's look at the main malfunctions of the Camry V40 that cause knocking in the steering wheel and methods for eliminating these problems.
Rusted steering column from Toyota Camry
If the car is often or daily driven on an uneven road with potholes and bumps, then the steering wheel parts may fail. Most often this is a fluoroplastic bushing. This spare part wears out over a long period of use, causing knocking and loose connections.
On a note! A sign of bushing failure is the appearance of unusual rattling and vibration, which is most strongly felt when the steering wheel is in a straight position. When making turns, a characteristic hum may appear. The appearance of these signs indicates a possible imminent failure of other parts of the steering wheel, and therefore can lead to breakdown of the entire control mechanism.
Dismantling and installation of a new bushing
In order to eliminate a knock in the steering column on a Toyota Camry V40, it is necessary to replace the broken part. This is a simple manipulation, you can handle it yourself. To do this you need:
- Remove under the steering guard by unscrewing all the fasteners.
- Remove a section of the air duct to open the path to the column itself.
- Remove the column itself and place it on a flat surface with the steering wheel facing down.
- Remove the old bushing; to do this, you can screw a couple of screws into it, cover the steering wheel, rest your knees on the steering wheel and pull out the part, holding the screws with pliers.
- Clean and lubricate the shaft.
- Install a new bushing.
New steering column from Toyota Camry
After replacing the bushing, a knock in the steering wheel on a Toyota Camry v40 , as a rule, disappears; if this does not happen, most likely the lower crosspiece has failed. It connects the rail to the column and experiences very strong loads. The best way to fix this problem is to directly replace the steering wheel part; its cost for a Camry is approximately two thousand rubles.
Steering wheel - removal and installation
Attention! If your radio has an anti-theft code, check that you have the connection codes before disconnecting the battery.
Attention! On models 1993 and later, the airbag system is disabled if the battery is disconnected for an extended period of time. If the airbag warning light comes on and remains on after reconnecting the battery, you must contact a qualified workshop to restore the system's functionality.
Attention! Perform further actions no earlier than after 90 seconds so that the air cushion capacitor is completely discharged.
1. Remove the ground wire from the battery.
3. Remove the airbag unit from the steering wheel and disconnect the electrical connector from the unit.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector for the horn and cruise control system.
5. Mark the position of the steering wheel hub in relation to the steering shaft and unscrew the steering wheel mounting nut.
6. Using a special puller, remove the steering wheel from the shaft.
Installation
1. Check that the front wheels are set to travel straight ahead. Rotate the coiled wire plate counterclockwise until it stops, then rotate it clockwise 3 turns and align the two red pointers.
2. Install the steering wheel on the shaft in accordance with the previously applied marks. Secure the steering wheel with the nut, tightening it to the required torque.
3. Connect the electrical connectors for the horn and cruise control.
4. Connect the air bag electrical connector.
5. Install the air cushion on the steering wheel and secure with bolts.
Causes of knocking in the steering wheel
A knock in the steering column on Camry V40 occurs because this mechanism is constantly in motion and is subject to the accumulating effect of mechanical wear. It is also worth remembering that the steering wheel is not a whole part, but a composite mechanism that includes many small parts. If at least one element fails, a knocking sound may occur in the steering wheel of a Camry V40. If the steering column becomes loose and becomes unusable, there is a high probability of getting into a dangerous situation and even an accident.
Before you start looking for breakdowns that cause discomfort while driving, it is important to realize that on a Toyota Camry, knocking in the steering wheel appears as a result of the formation of backlash. There are other reasons that prevent you from steering comfortably, but this is one of the most common problems. The main sources of unpleasant knocking in the steering wheel are the same for many car models.
Typical problems are:
- excessively worn or damaged steering column bearing;
- breakage or damage to the Camry needle bearings located in the crosspiece;
- looseness of the connecting nodes in the bracket or other element of the steering wheel.
When and why does knocking occur?
The weak point of a car is often the steering wheel. It is here that, over time, the first problem may appear, namely, a knocking sound in the steering wheel on a Toyota Camry V40. Extraneous noises in the steering wheel, as a rule, appear after the car's mileage reaches 200 thousand km. This problem is very common, so we decided to review the most common causes of this problem and how to fix it.
A knock in the Camry V40 steering rack indicates serious problems in one of the most important parts of the car. According to the traffic rules, operating a vehicle with any problems with the steering wheel is prohibited. Therefore, if the slightest sign of a steering wheel malfunction appears, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics and appropriate repairs. A knock in the steering wheel on a Toyota Camry is an important signal of a breakdown or defect and requires immediate attention.
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