SoCalTim
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***GT350 steering wheel install for AUTO cars!***
Figured I'd post up a how-to for anyone doing the GT350 wheel install on an Automatic Mustang. I'd looked around, and no one had posted any photos or videos of the procedure, so documented my install today for others to follow.
So, put your big boy panties on and here we go:
Firstly, disconnect the negative lead on your battery (Located in the engine bay behind the left strut tower. It is hidden beneath a plastic cover) . This is done purely as a safety precaution.
Step 1:
You need to pop out the airbag unit.
There is a small hole on the housing on each side, behind the paddle shifters.
I used an Allen Key just big enough to fit inside the hole, and a simple firm push inward released the airbag unit. I did one side, then moved onto the other...
Now I used a small flathead screw driver to unclip the two air bag electrical connections...
And also the large black/red connection. Simply press down on the large red flat area to unclip the connection:
Great, so now the airbag unit is removed.
Next step, use a socket wrench with a 24mm socket to un-do the center bolt on the steering wheel...
And now, simply pull off the steering wheel. Be careful to feed the connection wires back through the opening in the top of the wheel as you do this.
Here is your old wheel VS your new GT350 wheel...
Now we will start removing all the hardware to transfer over onto the GT350 wheel. You will need a T20 torx screwdriver.
Start with the bottom trim piece. Remove these two screws:
Then you need to pop out the trim piece. I used a plastic trim removal tool to help me pick up the bottom edge without damaging anything. Once the bottom edge pops up, you can simply lift upwards and the upper part will unsnap too.
Now we shall remove the control pieces on each side of the steering wheel. Start by removing the 3 screws highlighted in red...
I found the easiest way to unclip the upper control piece was to put a finger underneath the inside edge and just give a firm pull upwards. Should pop right out...
And you will find an electrical connection to unplug...(simply press down on the little green flap on the rear of the pull and you will be able to slide it out)
With the upper trim piece now removed, you can remove this screw to allow removal of the lower trim piece...
The lower trim piece can now be lifted up slightly, so you can unclip the electrical connection on the back. I found a pair of needle nose pliers allowed me to grab the outside of the connection and pull it out. I watched the CJ Pony video where he grabbed the wires and pulled this out. You should never pull by the wires, there is always that chance you will pull a connection loose from the terminal block...
**Now repeat this process for the other side of the wheel, removing both the upper and lower trim pieces.**
OK so now we need to transfer over the back housing of the steering wheel. The GT350 steering wheel housing is not compatible with our Auto Paddle Shifters, so we need to re-use the back housing from our old steering wheel.
It is very easy to do. First we need to unscrew both paddle shifters. All they have holding them in place is one screw for each side, and one electrical connection one each paddle shifter unplug...
Now flip the wheel over and simply unclip the back housing piece, starting at the outer edges...
Be sure to feed the electrical connections through the correct holes. It should look like this...
Now simply re-install the paddle shifters. Nothing complicated here, just slot it back into position, plug the electrical connection back in, and screw that one screw back in.
Now its time to put back the upper & lower control pieces, and also the lower trim piece.
I installed the lower trim piece first, just snap it back into place. MAKE SURE IT IS FULLY SNAPPED INTO PLACE....the edges should have very minimal gaps.
Then install the lower control pieces on each side. Plug back the electrical connection and simply put the 3 screws on each side that secure it into position.
**Next you need to install the upper control pieces, make sure this little flap goes inside the housing, this is important to allow proper fitment of the trim** (See below red arrow)
When you are done, it should all look nice and tightly clipped together like this:
Put back those 2 screws for each upper control piece to secure them in place...
NOW YOUR GT350 WHEEL IS FULLY ASSEMBLED!
Time to re-install on the car.
Feed the wires through the top of the steering wheel housing.
Make sure the two small yellow posts on the steering column are in a horizontal position, and slide the wheel into position.
Now reinstall the center wheel bolt. Apply locktite to the center wheel bolt if you desire, then either tighten down firmly with your hands or use a torque wrench. No need to go crazy tight, I chose to tighten mine to 40 ft/lbs...
Reconnect both yellow and black airbag connections and also that top red/black connection.
Line up the air bag so that it is its correct central position, and just give it a firm push. You will feel a solid click when it locks into position.
I kept my wheel wrapped up until the install was finished, just for extra protection incase I scuffed the alacantara whilst using my tools...
And now I unwrapped the wheel and stepped back to admire my work...
Now go for a test drive to make sure all your buttons and paddle shifters work. If by chance something doesn't work, then you haven't fully inserted one of the electrical connections. Remove the wheel and recheck your work.
Other than that, if everything works fine then give yourself a pat on the back. You are now officially winning in life.
:cheers:
Figured I'd post up a how-to for anyone doing the GT350 wheel install on an Automatic Mustang. I'd looked around, and no one had posted any photos or videos of the procedure, so documented my install today for others to follow.
So, put your big boy panties on and here we go:
Firstly, disconnect the negative lead on your battery (Located in the engine bay behind the left strut tower. It is hidden beneath a plastic cover) . This is done purely as a safety precaution.
Step 1:
You need to pop out the airbag unit.
There is a small hole on the housing on each side, behind the paddle shifters.
I used an Allen Key just big enough to fit inside the hole, and a simple firm push inward released the airbag unit. I did one side, then moved onto the other...
Now I used a small flathead screw driver to unclip the two air bag electrical connections...
And also the large black/red connection. Simply press down on the large red flat area to unclip the connection:
Great, so now the airbag unit is removed.
Next step, use a socket wrench with a 24mm socket to un-do the center bolt on the steering wheel...
And now, simply pull off the steering wheel. Be careful to feed the connection wires back through the opening in the top of the wheel as you do this.
Here is your old wheel VS your new GT350 wheel...
Now we will start removing all the hardware to transfer over onto the GT350 wheel. You will need a T20 torx screwdriver.
Start with the bottom trim piece. Remove these two screws:
Then you need to pop out the trim piece. I used a plastic trim removal tool to help me pick up the bottom edge without damaging anything. Once the bottom edge pops up, you can simply lift upwards and the upper part will unsnap too.
Now we shall remove the control pieces on each side of the steering wheel. Start by removing the 3 screws highlighted in red...
I found the easiest way to unclip the upper control piece was to put a finger underneath the inside edge and just give a firm pull upwards. Should pop right out...
And you will find an electrical connection to unplug...(simply press down on the little green flap on the rear of the pull and you will be able to slide it out)
With the upper trim piece now removed, you can remove this screw to allow removal of the lower trim piece...
The lower trim piece can now be lifted up slightly, so you can unclip the electrical connection on the back. I found a pair of needle nose pliers allowed me to grab the outside of the connection and pull it out. I watched the CJ Pony video where he grabbed the wires and pulled this out. You should never pull by the wires, there is always that chance you will pull a connection loose from the terminal block...
**Now repeat this process for the other side of the wheel, removing both the upper and lower trim pieces.**
OK so now we need to transfer over the back housing of the steering wheel. The GT350 steering wheel housing is not compatible with our Auto Paddle Shifters, so we need to re-use the back housing from our old steering wheel.
It is very easy to do. First we need to unscrew both paddle shifters. All they have holding them in place is one screw for each side, and one electrical connection one each paddle shifter unplug...
Now flip the wheel over and simply unclip the back housing piece, starting at the outer edges...
Be sure to feed the electrical connections through the correct holes. It should look like this...
Now simply re-install the paddle shifters. Nothing complicated here, just slot it back into position, plug the electrical connection back in, and screw that one screw back in.
Now its time to put back the upper & lower control pieces, and also the lower trim piece.
I installed the lower trim piece first, just snap it back into place. MAKE SURE IT IS FULLY SNAPPED INTO PLACE....the edges should have very minimal gaps.
Then install the lower control pieces on each side. Plug back the electrical connection and simply put the 3 screws on each side that secure it into position.
**Next you need to install the upper control pieces, make sure this little flap goes inside the housing, this is important to allow proper fitment of the trim** (See below red arrow)
When you are done, it should all look nice and tightly clipped together like this:
Put back those 2 screws for each upper control piece to secure them in place...
NOW YOUR GT350 WHEEL IS FULLY ASSEMBLED!
Time to re-install on the car.
Feed the wires through the top of the steering wheel housing.
Make sure the two small yellow posts on the steering column are in a horizontal position, and slide the wheel into position.
Now reinstall the center wheel bolt. Apply locktite to the center wheel bolt if you desire, then either tighten down firmly with your hands or use a torque wrench. No need to go crazy tight, I chose to tighten mine to 40 ft/lbs...
Reconnect both yellow and black airbag connections and also that top red/black connection.
Line up the air bag so that it is its correct central position, and just give it a firm push. You will feel a solid click when it locks into position.
I kept my wheel wrapped up until the install was finished, just for extra protection incase I scuffed the alacantara whilst using my tools...
And now I unwrapped the wheel and stepped back to admire my work...
Now go for a test drive to make sure all your buttons and paddle shifters work. If by chance something doesn't work, then you haven't fully inserted one of the electrical connections. Remove the wheel and recheck your work.
Other than that, if everything works fine then give yourself a pat on the back. You are now officially winning in life.
:cheers:
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Last edited:
