Change of steering wheel??

[MZ6666]

Hi Folks,
Is it an easy job to change the standard steering wheel for an aftermarket type, on a '96 (non airbag) Discovery 300tdi? Has anyone done this and maybe has info on where I could get a boss kit/wheel etc??
Cheers,Rich

[Disco Matt]

It shouldn't be too hard - bear in mind that you will need one with a horn button in the centre.

Removing the original wheel can be entertaining. First you need to prise out the horn button and its associated gubbins. I generally pull the fuse for the horn out, then use a wide-bladed screwdriver to gently lever the rubber/foam steering wheel covering away from the horn button. The mechanism rather resembles a biscuit tin, and you'll be able to see the edges of the plastic back end. You can just pull the button part of the mechanism off if that makes things easier.

Once that's done you will need to remove the wheel. Some of these can be jammed on very solidly, so if that happens with yours do the following. Dribble a bit of Plusgas around the column where the wheel fits onto it, replace the securing nut a couple of turns, and give the wheel a few good blows with your hands or a rubber mallet around the rim.

Note: Refitting the nut is important - it will stop the wheel smacking you in the teeth when your final hammer blow shifts it!  :lol:

[Henry Webster]

I've previously made up a puller for this job.

I have a Mountney steering wheel on the racer at the moment, I got the boss from the very efficient guys at Merlin Motorsport.  You can also get the correct boss for the later Mountney M-series, which I believe allows the fitting of OMP, Sparco and the like.  Rally Design seem to be doing some interesting cheap steering wheels at the moment, not sure what the quality is like, though.

Regards

H