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Steering wheel swap

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 8:09 am
by fev1983
How easy is it to swap my 1987 E plate GT steering wheel to the older 4 button one???
Hope you can help chaps
Danny

Re: Steering wheel swap

Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 9:39 am
by mr.brown
It "should" be a straight swap. Cars up until 88-ish had a "small spline" at the top of the steering column for the steering wheel to slide on to. Later cars had an adaptor fitted over the end to make it "large spline" to match with the rest of the VW range.

The 4-button steering wheels were all small spline - and your 87 should be as well. Emphasis on "should" - once cars are 30+ years old you never know if they've been funned about with until you investigate.

As for the actual removal/fitting, it's fairly straightforward. Once you pull off the horn push you'll have access to the single nut+washer that holds the steering wheel on - 24mm socket required. Either get an able assistant to hold the wheel whilst you undo the nut or engage the steering lock.

Re: Steering wheel swap

Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 3:12 pm
by Eagle1
Also don't forget the Ed (China) method of leaving the nut on loosely so you don't smack yourself in the face when pulling off if it's stuck hard.