Have an 08 F250 with the plastic wheel and picked up a leather replacement...how does the air bag come off on the 08+ models...there are no plugs on the side or back to remove...does it just get pulled off ?..thanks

 

I am in the same boat as you. I bought a leather wheel off of ebay for my 2008 F250 which has cruise control (which I need) and I was wondering how to remove the air bag on the original wheel also. I am going to remove the steering column covers and try to gain access through the back. I will let you know how it goes. Let me know if you have figured it out. Thanks.

 

depower the system

• Turn all vehicle accessories OFF.
• Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
• At the smart power distribution junction box (SPDJB), located in the RH lower kick panel, remove the lower kick panel fuse cover and the restraints control module (RCM) fuse 32 (10A) from the SPDJB. For additional information, refer to the Wiring Diagram Manual.
• Turn the ignition ON and visually monitor the air bag warning indicator for at least 30 seconds. The air bag warning indicator will remain lit continuously (no flashing) if the correct RCM fuse has been removed. If the air bag warning indicator does not remain lit continuously, remove the correct RCM fuse before proceeding.
• Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
• WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible serious personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
  
• The front impact severity sensor is located on the lower radiator support.
  
• To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped). Failure to follow this instruction may increase the risk of serious personal ijury or death in a collision.
  
• Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to Section 414-01 .

<title>2008 F-Super Duty 250-550 Workshop Manual</title><link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="S8O%7Etr%7Een%7Efile=S8Ostyle.htm%7Egen%7Ere f.htm">
from the service manual (airbag first)

1. Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

1. Center the tilt steering column (if equipped).

1. CAUTION: Turn the steering wheel such that the top is at 90 degrees (at the 9 o'clock position) to the left from the straight-ahead position to access the driver air bag module wire clips and to prevent damage to the steering column multi-function switch. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage.
   Turn the steering wheel so the top of the wheel is 90 degrees to the left (at the 9 o'clock position).

1. Depower the system. For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of this section.

Vehicles with tilt wheel

1. Position the rubber cover aside and remove the screw and steering column manual tilt lever.

All vehicles

1. Remove the 3 screws and the steering column lower shroud.

1. Remove the steering column upper shroud.

1. Remove the steering column lower shroud.

1. CAUTION: Make sure each of the 3 driver air bag module wire clips are disengaged from each of the 3 steering wheel hooks before removing the driver air bag module from the steering wheel. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
   
   
   NOTE: Use a mirror to view the rear of the steering wheel to locate where the 3 driver air bag module wire clips attach to the steering wheel hooks.
   NOTE: Note the position of the 2 driver air bag module locator pins on the steering wheel for installation.
   Using a screwdriver or a suitable tool, release each of the 3 driver air bag module wire clips from the steering wheel hooks.
   • Access the 3 driver air bag module wire clips through the back of the steering wheel cover and push the wire clips toward the center of the steering wheel to release.

1. Disconnect the driver air bag module electrical connector, then disconnect the horn switch electrical connector and remove the driver air bag module.

1. Turn the steering wheel so the top of the wheel is back in the straight-ahead position (the 12 o'clock position).

Installation
All vehicles

1. CAUTION: The clockspring electrical connector is unique and cannot be reversed when connected to the driver air bag module. Match the electrical connector key to the keyway in the driver air bag module. Do not force the electrical connector into the driver air bag module. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.
   Connect the horn switch electrical connector, then connect the driver air bag module electrical connector.

1. Position the driver air bag module to the steering wheel, lining up the locator pins.

1. NOTE: Make sure that all 3 driver air bag module wire clips are fully engaged and seated correctly to the steering wheel.
   NOTE: Audible clicks will be heard when the 3 driver air bag module wire clips are fully engaged.
   Firmly press the driver air bag module to the steering wheel, seating the 3 driver air bag module wire clips to the steering wheel hooks.
   • Check the driver air bag module trim cover to the steering wheel for an even gap clearance and correct movement.

1. Install the steering column lower shroud.

1. Install the steering column upper shroud.

1. Install the 3 steering column lower shroud screws.

Vehicles with tilt wheel

1. Install the steering column manual tilt lever and screw.
   • Tighten to 6 Nm (53 lb-in)

remove install steering wheel

1. Turn the steering wheel to the straight-ahead position.
2. Remove and discard the steering wheel bolt.
   • To install, tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
3. Remove the steering wheel while routing the wires from the clockspring through the steering wheel.
4. NOTE: A new steering wheel bolt must be installed.

• To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Repowering Procedure

• Turn the ignition switch from OFF to ON.
• Install RCM fuse 32 (10A) to the SPDJB and install the lower kick panel fuse cover.
• WARNING: Be sure that no occupants are in the vehicle and that there is nothing blocking or set in front of any air bag module when the battery ground cable is connected. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury to the vehicle occupants.
  
• Connect the battery ground cable.
• Prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS) as follows:
• Turn the ignition switch from ON to OFF. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the ignition switch back to ON and visually monitor the air bag warning indicator with the air bag modules installed. The air bag warning indicator will light continuously for approximately 6 seconds and then turn OFF. If an air bag SRS fault is present, the air bag warning indicator will:
• — fail to light.
• — remain lit continuously.
• — flash at a 5 Hz rate (RCM not configured).
• The air bag warning indicator might not light until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned from the OFF to the ON position. This is the time required for the RCM to complete the testing of the SRS. If the air bag warning indicator is inoperative and a SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of 5 sets of 5 beeps. If this occurs, the air bag warning indicator and any SRS fault discovered must be diagnosed and repaired.
• Clear all continuous diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from the RCM using a scan tool.

 

Thank you, those are great instructions. I will be trying it this weekend.

 

directly from the service manual cdrom. (bought from ebay for $10)..

Sam

 

Yes, Thank you very much for taking the time to post this!

Tim