Prova Steering Wheel Install
 

So it seems I may be on a Prova kick recently. But this is one of those items that I literally could not wait to install, so you may have an idea of how excited I was when I saw this box on my desk.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...O/IMG_0587.jpg


First things first, we have to make sure the item is in good condition and has everything included.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0588-L.jpg


Everything looked great, well better than great, it looks amazing!
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0592-L.jpg


When messing with Airbags, I always prefer to disconnect the Battery, but others just remove the horn relays to prevent honking your horn through the install.

Use a 10mm combination wrench to disconnect the negative battery terminal.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0604-L.jpg


Or you can remove the (2) 7.5AMP horn fuses located in the engine bay's fuse box.


Now we can move onto removing the OEM wheel. On the backside of the wheel you will see 3 small holes in the plastic surround. Shine a light in there and you should see a small metal rod in each hole. You are going to push each rod in towards the center of the wheel, in parallel with the wheel. That side of the airbag should pop out a bit without any problem. Repeat this process on the other 2 metal rods.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0606-L.jpg


You can see how each one is oriented here and the direction you need to push the rods.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0611-L.jpg
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0610-L.jpg


With the airbag out, you will remove the 2 harness clips on the backside of the airbag.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0612-L.jpg


Use a small flat head screwdriver to lift the yellow tab so you can remove the plug.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0614-L.jpg


The plug should come right out with a gentle tug. Don’t forget the ground wire for the horn.
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Air bag is out!
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Now we can remove the lower plastic trim on the wheel, there will be 2 screws holding these to the frame of the wheel.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0621-L.jpg


With the screws removed, give it a tub to release it from the wheel.
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Now remove the harness going to the Cruise Control stalk, it’s a bit tricky to get to, so I used a small flat head to help with the removal.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0625-L.jpg


The center nut is 17mm and is on tight! Have a buddy hold the wheel, or use the internal wheel lock to keep the wheel from spinning when removing this. Note: DO NOT remove the nut all the way! That way when you have to summon your super human strength to remove the wheel from the steering shaft, you won’t smash it into your face. I like to center the wheel before sliding it off the splines, which should make for a hassle free install with the steering wheel alignment.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0668-L.jpg


Carefully slide the harnesses through the small opening at the top of the wheel as you are removing the wheel from the steering shaft. Pay close attention that the clock spring remains in the upward position(or whatever position it was in when the steering wheel was removed)
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0626-L.jpg


We can now start the disassembly of the steering wheel accessories. I started with the rubber damper/spring located at the top of the wheel. It comes off easily with 2 screws.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0627-L.jpg


Next I removed the Cruise Control Stalk, which is also held in by 2 screws. I also popped off the back plastic cover.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0630-L.jpg


Make sure to transfer over the metal rods/clips that hold in the air bag. I found it best to do one at a time with both steering wheels next to each other. This way you can make sure they go in the same way they came off the old wheel.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0636-L.jpg


Now compare the stock wheel to the new wheel and be proud you are half way done!
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I snapped on the rear black plastic cover first, and then proceeded to bolt on the rubber damper/horn spring, but you could do this in any order.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0652-L.jpg


Now slide the Cruise Control Stalk into place and secure it with the 2 screws.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...MG_0654-XL.jpg


The new Steering Wheel is ready to go back in the car!
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0657-L.jpg


Carefully slide the harnesses through the back of the wheel and orientate the wheel in the exact position it came off.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0659-L.jpg


Tighten center nut, and check alignment of the steering wheel.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0668-L.jpg


Plug the cruise control harness back into the stalk.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0661-L.jpg



Pop the lower plastic trim back onto the wheel and secure it with the 2 screws.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0663-L.jpg


Plug in the airbag harness. Remember, Orange on Orange, Black on Black. Push the yellow clips down to secure them to the airbag.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0666-L.jpg


Hook up the ground wire to the horn.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0667-L.jpg


Push air bag assembly back into the steering wheel. It should pop right into place on all 3 corners. If you notice one does not seem to secure itself down, remove the airbag again and check to make sure the Metal rods/clips are fully seated and try again. It should go in without issue.
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...IMG_0669-L.jpg


Enjoy your new Steering Wheel!
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...vaMedia2-L.jpg
http://rallysportdirect.smugmug.com/...ovamedia-L.jpg



Thanks,
Rick

WOW

great DIY.

Thanks! It really does make driving this car even more enjoyable... if that was possible haha :)

Thanks,
Rick

looking good!

Wow! Thanks for the DIY.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@rally sport direct do you think that un-used connector by the rest of the plugs might be for Steering wheel audio controls?

Thanks!

You bet, glad to help!


I was actually thinking that exact same thing as the STi has the audio controls run through the same spot. I wish I knew the answer to this though!

Thanks,
Rick

That is bad ass

What is the retail on one of those


More than you can afford pal. Ferrari... Jk

How much is the steering wheel

^ Link is posted at the end of OP

How do we enable the internal wheel lock while keeping the steering wheel perfectly center-clocked? And it's hard to tell from the pic but the spline gear teeth look pretty fine... if I were to slide on a wheel one tooth off center to the left or right, would it be obvious?



--
Edit: Figured out how to lock the wheel from the manual. Car needs to be switched off, door needs to be opened then closed, then wheel has to be nudged either left or right to activate the lock. I'd have to start with the wheel turned a hair to the right off center before I turn it a hair left to lock it to center. Of course, all this has to be done before disconnecting the battery.

As far as keying to the same teeth on the spline gear, I hope there's a demarcation on the spline gear indicating the top center tooth. Then I can mark a line for that tooth on the stock wheel and copy that mark to the new steering wheel. I can also mark the plastics attached to the steering wheel against marks I make on the static steering column just before I pull the steering wheel. I just line all the markings back up when I slide on the new wheel.

Figuring out how to mod the steering wheel without messing anything up has been plaguing me but your pics cleared things up a bit for me. Seems straightforward now, thanks!

One stunning steering wheel!

Great DIY! Wheel looks amazing!

http://www.crawfordperformance.com/n...pepcom_035.jpg
Look what i found Rick! The general consensus is that americans didn't want SC... thats fud as we are supposedly lazy lol... Now i know im gonna need a new wheel if the 2014 doesn't come with wheel controls.