Repair 7

You can clear the electronic steering wheel code on your BMW right from your home garage, saving yourself time and money. The BMW comes standard with an On-Board Diagnostics computer that receives and stores trouble codes sent to it from sensors positioned throughout the vehicle, including from the electronic steering wheel. After repairs have been made, the computer codes need to be reset so any warning lights shut off and the computer can continue to properly monitor the mechanical and electrical functions of the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Pop up the hood of your BMW and prop it up with the safety bar.

2

Locate the negative battery terminal. Find the clamp on the terminal, which has a nut on top of it. Loosen that nut with a wrench. Slide the clamp off of the negative battery terminal, making sure it doesnt touch metal or the positive terminal.

3

Wait 30 minutes while the computer resets itself, thus clearing all codes.

4

Reattach the clamp to the negative terminal and tighten the nut. Lower the hood of the car.

5

Put the key into the ignition and start the engine. Verify the electronic steering wheel light is shut off the instrument panel.

A cars power steering depends on a constantly-moving belt to supply it with power. This belt, also known as a serpentine belt, typically supplies power to several other components as well.

Description

The power steering or serpentine belt consists of flexible synthetic material with a flat outer side and a grooved or ribbed inner side. This belt winds through a series of pulleys, with a device called a tensioner maintaining a precise amount of stress on the belt at all times, according to 2 Car Pros.

Function

The belt conveys power to various important engine components, including the power steering system, water pump, air conditioner compressor and alternator. Some cars, mostly older models, divide these tasks between two or more belts, according to Samarins.

Potential Problems

Power steering belts tend to fray and weaken through years of constant use. If this belt breaks the power steering will fail; any other parts the belt powers will also stop working. AA1 Car recommends inspecting belts at regular service intervals and replacing worn ones as needed.

The steering wheel in a 2002 Pontiac Firebird is held to the steering column with a non-reusable nut. The drivers side airbag unit covers the nut and also contains the horn pad. In order to access the nut, you must disable the air bag system and caully remove the airbag unit from the steering wheel. Removing the steering wheel is a common step in many repair procedures, such as removing the dashboard and replacing the vehicles heater core.

Instructions

Removal

1

Rotate the steering wheel so the front wheels are pointing straight ahead, then turn off the ignition switch and take out the key.

2

Open the drivers side door and remove the left instrument panel fuse block door. Remove the 15-amp airbag fuse and set it aside. Remove the screws holding the drivers side lower dashboard cover to the dashboard with a metric nut driver, then remove the cover. Disconnect the yellow airbag electrical connector at the base of the steering column.

3

Disconnect the negative battery terminal with an 8 mm wrench. Tilt the steering wheel to its maximum downward position. Remove the screws on the back side of the airbag unit with a T-30 Torx bit and a ratchet.

4

Pull the airbag unit off of the steering wheel and disconnect its electrical connector by gently raising the locking tab with a small flat-head screwdriver, then removing the connector from the airbag unit. Remove the airbag unit from the vehicle.

5

Remove the steering wheel lock nut with a ratchet and a metric socket. Push the horn ground lead inward and rotate it counterclockwise to disengage its locking tab, then pull it out of the steering wheel.

6

Attach a steering wheel puller to the steering wheel. Tighten the center bolt on the steering wheel puller with a ratchet and socket until the wheel is free from the steering shaft. Remove the wheel from the vehicle.

Installation

7

Set the steering wheel into position on the steering shaft and thread a new nut onto the steering shaft spindle. Tighten the nut and watch while it draws the steering wheel down to the bottom of the spindle shaft. Torque the nut to 32 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and verify that the wheel is fully-seated.

8

Insert the horn lead back into its mounting hole and rotate the connector clockwise until it locks into position.

9

Reconnect the airbags electrical connector and reinstall the Torx screws holding the bag unit to the wheel. Torque the bag retaining screws to 25 inch-pounds.

10

Reconnect the airbag connector at the base of the steering shaft and reinstall the lower dashboard cover.

11

Replace the 15-amp airbag fuse and reinstall the left instrument panel cover. Reconnect the negative battery terminal.

The steering wheel, one of the most prominent features of any motor vehicle, provides the means by which the driver controls the direction in which the vehicle moves. Steering wheels come in many styles and types. Those interested in cars would do well to acquaint themselves with the major types and their uses.

Tilt Steering Wheels

Tilt steering wheels, first introduced by General Motors in 1963, are used most often in luxury vehicles. They allow different people to operate the vehicle comfortably by making the position of the steering wheel adjustable. Basically, tilt steering wheels connect to an arc that allows them to change positions by turning up and down. The wheels design allows the steering column to remain unaffected by the changes in the wheels position. This occurs through the use of a ratchet mechanism located in the steering column just below the wheel.

Telescope Steering Wheels

Telescope steering wheels are also an adjustable model of steering wheel, but in this case the height is adjustable. You can adjust these wheels to an infinite number of positions within a 3-inch range.

Adjustable Steering Wheels

Adjustable steering column steering wheels also adjust height but do it differently from telescope wheels. They create the same change in height created by telescope wheels, except they do it by changing the wheels title. These changes are smaller and less pronounced than those accomplished with tilt steering wheels, however. Instead of ratchet mechanisms, adjustable steering column wheels use electric motors or compression locks.

Swing-Away Steering Wheels

First introduced as a feature of the 1961 Ford Thunderbird, these interesting devices make entering and exiting the vehicles easier. Featured in many Ford vehicles models in the 1960s, swing-away steering wheels have a feature that allows them to move 9 inches to the right when you place the vehicle in park.

Recirculating Ball Steering Wheels

Recirculating ball steering wheels are so named for the mechanism that allows them to turn the vehicles wheels. The most important part of this type of steering wheel system, the Pitman arm, connects the steering gear to the center link and the tie-rods of the Pitman shaft.

Rack-and-Pinion Steering Wheels

Rack-and-pinion steering wheels, probably the most common types of steering wheels available as of 2010, connect to a system contained in a metal tube, from which the rack ends protrude. A tie-rod links to each end of the rack, while the pinion gear links to the steering shaft. At the other end, the tie rod connects to the steering arm so that when you turn the steering wheel, it spins the gear. This action moves the rack, which in turn moves the cars wheels.

Unlike many repair tasks, removing the steering wheel on a 1993 Chevrolet Blazer cannot be accomplished with only a screwdriver or a socket wrench. The procedure requires a special pulling tool that can be ordered online or purchased at your local auto parts store. There are several reasons why you might wish to remove your steering wheel. If you are customizing the interior of your Blazer, you may want to replace the factory steering wheel with an aftermarket part. Likewise, if you are replacing dashboard components, the steering wheel might be an obstacle and may need to be removed.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your Chevy Blazer and disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal. Let a few minutes pass before proceeding to ensure that residual power in the vehicles electrical system has dissipated. Doing this will disable the Blazers airbags so they wont be accidentally deploy while you are working on the steering wheel.

2

Pry the horn pad off the steering wheel using a screwdriver wrapped in tape to prevent accidental damage to the pad or the steering wheel. Do this slowly and carefully, as wiring is attached to the pad.

3

Disconnect the wiring from the back of the horn pad. Remove the pad completely from the steering wheel. This will expose a small space at the center of the wheel.

4

Remove the retaining nut at the center of the steering wheel using a socket wrench with an extension.

5

Inspect the bolt and steering wheel for any alignment marks made during a previous removal of the steering wheel. If there are no marks, draw a line connecting the bolt and the steering wheel. You will need these marks if you intend to reinstall the same steering wheel.

6

Fit the steering wheel puller tool over the center of the steering wheel. Fasten the tools bolts to matching screw openings in the center of the steering wheel.

7

Turn the steering wheel puller handle repeatedly until the Blazers steering wheel detaches from the shaft.

There is no room in your hydraulic power steering system for air. If you dont bleed your power steering of air, your power steering is almost useless because the system cant compress the air like it would power steering fluid.

Effects

If your steering becomes difficult, or your vehicle makes noise when you steer, there may be air in the power steering system. Making turns or parallel parking will usually make these issues more noticeable.

Causes

Low power steering fluid may be the problem. However, filling the power steering reservoir may only fix the problem temporarily. If there is a leak in the system somewhere, your fluid level will just drop again and the problem will return.

Considerations

If you recently changed any part of the power steering system, such as the pump or pressure hose, you probably want to bleed the system. In most cars, this is an easy process, but you may want to hire a professional.

Difficult steering is a safety hazard while on the road, and also makes control of the vehicle extremely difficult. Any signs of difficult steering require immediate attention. The Toyota Camry uses a standard power steering assembly that contains a reservoir, pump and belt and pulley system connected to the steering column on one side and the drive train on the other. You can fix many causes of difficult steering by replacing the power steering belt or by adding power steering fluid. However, more-complex repairs might require you to hire a certified mechanic.

Instructions

1

Verify the tire pressure to ensure that the tires are properly inflated to the level indicated on the tire. Low tires will affect the steering by making the wheels difficult to turn. Fill the Camrys tires with air to the proper level.

2

Open the reservoir -- located on the right side of the Camry engine -- for the power steering fluid, and check that it is at the proper level and that it is not black or thick. It should be a dark red and have the consistency of syrup. Low or old steering fluid affects the power steering and will even lock up the steering wheel if it is too low. Replace the fluid or top it off as necessary.

3

Look for any leaks or loose hoses between the steering column and the power steering unit and the unit and the drive train. Replace any hoses or connectors that show signs of leaks or are simply old.

4

Examine the power steering belt for signs of frays or kinks. Replace the belt with a new one to prevent any steering control issues.

5

Start the engine and look for leaks while the steering fluid in the pump is under pressure.

6

Have an assistant turn the wheels from side to side to listen for noises that indicate damage to the belt or power steering pump. Have a new power steering pump installed by a professional.

7

Lift the small pulley located between the power steering unit and the steering column with your hand, and verify that the belt is not kinked at the pulley or that the pulley is not in some way damaged. Watch the pulley operate with the engine running and the assistant again turning the wheels from side to side. Replace the pulley if it is in any way damaged or causing the belt to not move freely.

8

Lubricate the tie rods and ball joints at the front end of the vehicle. Dry, damaged or worn tie rods and ball joints will make it difficult to easily turn the wheels. Have new rods or ball joints installed by a certified mechanic to ensure proper and safe driving.