Fatherpain’s 2018 Type R

[fatherpain]

Removed my old steering wheel and transferred the electronics and lower trim to this CF steering wheel from Carbon Zone Poland. Side grips are Alcantara. Built on a US OEM core.

Ran out of time and it was raining hard so held off on installing. Hopefully will have an opportunity tonight after work. DIY writeup to follow

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[AlphaDigital]

so much drool.

 

[fatherpain]

Here a step by step steering wheel swap and the tools needed:

• Flat screwdriver
• Flat screwdriver (small)
• Pick tool
• Phillips screwdriver + Torx T30 bit
• 10mm socket and ratchet
• 10mm allen socket
• Breaker bar
• 1/2” to 3/8” socket adapter
• Impact gun
• Loctite threadlocker blue

This install video was really helpful:

First center the steering wheel.

Disconnect the battery using the 10mm socket and ratchet. Negative terminal first then positive. This disables the airbag. Reconnnect positive then negative, after the air bag is removed. This is so steering can be repositioned if it locks in a position you don’t want.

Remove the torx screws securing the airbag from both sides of the steering column. Passenger side...

And driver’s side. When the time comes to reinstall, suggest doing both from this side. Can rotate the wheel to bring the passenger side to this position. So much easier.

Gently lift the airbag. There are wires to disconnect behind before it can be fully removed.

These connections are (1) horn, (2-3) airbag

A better view.

First, disconnect the horn. Use a pick to press this tab while gently pulling the wire.

And off it comes.

Closeup view of the tab to be pressed to release the horn connector.

Now there is play to flip the airbag for better access to the connectors. One is gray, the other green. The corresponding female plugs are the same color, so no need to remember which is which . These are released by lifting the 2 white tabs on the sides.

Was able to remove one with my fingers, but was unable to do the second this way...

Much easier to use a small screwdriver and pick to lift these tabs and off it comes.

Set airbag aside in a safe place.

 

[fatherpain]

With the airbag out of the way, can see the white wiring connector that need to be disconnected, the horn wire clip and steering column retaining bolt. Note the blue match marks.

Use a pick to pry this plastic clip to free the horn wire.

Like this.

Then depress this tab.

And pull the connector. This feeds the steering controls.

The bolt securing the steering wheel to the column requires a 10mm allen socket.

Loosen the retaining bolt using the breaker bar. The steering locks in place or can have a 2nd person hold the wheel to prevent from turning. An impact gun would work if it’s strong enough.

Once broken free, remove the column bolt. This Milwaukee M12 impact gun wasn’t strong enough, which is why I used the breaker bar. In hindsight, may have just needed to be fully charged as it’s been sitting for months.

Had enough juice to back out the column bolt.

Blip the starter and re-straighten the wheel before pulling off. This is why the battery needs be be connected after the air bag is removed.

Fish the airbag wires through while removing the steering wheel.

Steering column with wheel removed. Be careful to keep this orientation with the white plastic guide pin on the left, barcode on right. This spins easily.

 

[fatherpain]

The next step is to transfer parts to the Carbon Zone Poland steering wheel.

Please excuse the gaudy blanket. Needed something soft to set the wheels on and this was the first the g.

Remove these (5) screws and undo the ground wire.

Like so...

To remove the back plastic shroud and horn wiring, press these (2) black tabs away from the core.

And pry these (2) gray brackets off from the black tabs, then gently press down on the shroud.

After the shroud loosens, flip the OEM wheel over and contiune to wiggle and pull.

Separate these black posts from where they engage.

Before the shroud can come off, this blue connector needs to be released.

Press this tab using a pick to release.

And pull.

Repeat for the white connector on the opposite side.

Voila, rear shroud removed

 

[fatherpain]

Now it’s time to remove the plastic trim and controls. Keep the steering wheel face down (on a soft non marring surface).

Use a Phillips screwdriver or punch to press on the plastic post through this hole.

And the bottom plastic trim pops off. The mechanic in the video explained this is the preferred method rather than prying and leaving marks. Brilliant!

For the controls, there are (2) posts to press out on each side of the wheel. The post with an arrow requires pushing to the side first to release the clip, then down.

The control panel is a single piece and very fragile. Work the posts a little at a time, on each side, so it comes out evenly and doesn’t crack.

A medium sized flat screwdriver works well for this. Press this tab to the side then down.

Then just press the other post. Alternate back and forth. Do this for both sides, a little at a time.

When the tab is released and it begins to move, can press harder.

It’s a good idea to periodically check to make sure the panel is coming off evenly.

OEM steering core completely stripped. Control panel fully intact.

 

[fatherpain]

Line up the control piece posts, then press on.

Verify proper engagement of this guide pin to the lower plastic trim pieceThere is another on the opposite side.

Press on the lower trim and make sure it’s fully seated.

Reconnect the blue and white connectors.

OEM bits successfully transferred to the Carbon Zone Poland Steering wheel.

With the steering wheel ready to go back on, make sure the steering column is lined up and straight.

Gently press the wheel back on to the spline and make sure the white guide pin on the left arrow lines up. Verify the wheel is pointed straight, same as when taken off. Fish the air bag connectors and wiring back through. Plug in the white connector and install the horn wire to the plastic clip.

Ready some blue Loctite threadlocker.

And apply a nice amount to the steering column bolt threads. No sense risking the wheel coming off while driving.

Once threads are properly engaged, can use an impact gun or ratchet to tighten.

Then apply final torque using the breaker bar. Torque specs = Guten Tight Verify original blue match marks line up.

 

[fatherpain]

Reinstalling the airbag is the last step. Gotta disconnect the battery again for this to be safe.

Position the airbag then snap the connectors on.

Close the gap so the horn wiring connector will reach.

Don’t think it matters, but oriented the spade connector exactly as found. OCD is OCD

Gave the airbag retention bolts some Loctite also, just in case.

As previously mentioned, it’s easiest to install both airbag bolts from the driver’s side. Reconnect the battery to pulse the ignition, so the steering wheel can rotate. Smarter not harder baby!

Carbon Zone Poland CF/Alcantara steering wheel installed.

Driver’s side angle.

Dead on.

This completes my run on Carbon Zone Poland products, until Jacek Wisniewski comes up with something new. Will keep on the lookout as am a big fan of his workmanship.

 

[Volksparts]

Reinstalling the airbag is the last step. Gotta disconnect the battery again for this to be safe.

Position the airbag then snap the connectors on.

Close the gap so the line horn wire will reach.

Don’t think it matters, but oriented the spade connector exactly as found. OCD is OCD

Have the airbag retention bolts some Loctite also, just in case.

As previously mentioned, it’s easiest to install both airbag bolts from the driver’s side. Reconnect the battery to pulse the ignition, so the steering wheel can rotate. Smarter not harder baby! Baby

Carbon Zone Poland CF/Alcantara steering wheel installed.

Driver’s side angle.

Dead on.

This completes my run on Carbon Zone Poland products, until Jacek Wisniewski comes up with something new. Will keep on the lookout as am a big fan of his workmanship.

Now are you sure Jacek actually makes them? From what I heard from one of his competitors is that they get their stuff from the same suppliers/makers. I'm not knocking his work. Just saying what I heard. Either way they are good quality.

 

[JDM Power]

Now are you sure Jacek actually makes them? From what I heard from one of his competitors is that they get their stuff from the same suppliers/makers. I'm not knocking his work. Just saying what I heard. Either way they are good quality.

It doesn't matter where they buy the materials, all that matters is the quality of the final product, which in this case is excellent. In addition, as long as Carbon Zone Poland has products that you no longer find in other manufacturers, in terms of elements, design and materials, it can be concluded that they produce their own parts.

 

[Arch]

Awesome job and excellent how to, looks excellent. If only I had the balls to pull my car apart like that..

 

[fatherpain]

Heh, thank you Arch. But you give too much credit.

If I can do these mods, anyone can. Before the OCD kicked in, all I ever did was an occasional oil change. A mechanical background is helpful, but not necessary....though having the right tools for the job is key.

Hopefully these ramblings compliment other valuable info shared by our fellow forum members and YouTube videos to help show the way....in case anyone wants to give it a try.

Awesome job and excellent how to, looks excellent. If only I had the balls to pull my car apart like that..

 

[fatherpain]

Hmm.. Not sure Dave, never gave it much thought... There’s always some lead time involved, so I assume he’s making them, heh.

But I’ve been happy with products I’ve purchased from CZP so far. The steering wheel was the last of Jacek’s offerings I didn’t have.

He reached out just before Xmas to lmk he had a US steering wheel core in hand to build around, so I jumped on it.

US Buyers normally need to ship him their existing wheel, disabling the car for (2) months or so, I’m guessing.

Now that I’m done with CF interior trim upgrades, am starting to think about Suedit’s Alcantara upgrades...But @boosted180sx warns that is also a deep rabbit hole. Jin offers too much good stuff and costs can quickly add up like going all out on Carbon Zone Poland.

Now are you sure Jacek actually makes them? From what I heard from one of his competitors is that they get their stuff from the same suppliers/makers. I'm not knocking his work. Just saying what I heard. Either way they are good quality.

 

[Volksparts]

Hmm.. Not sure Dave, never gave it much thought... There’s always some lead time involved, so I assume he’s making them, heh.

But I’ve been happy with products I’ve purchased from CZP so far. The steering wheel was the last of Jacek’s offerings I didn’t have.

He reached out just before Xmas to lmk he had a US steering wheel core in hand to build around, so I jumped on it.

US Buyers normally need to ship him their existing wheel, disabling the car for (2) months or so, I’m guessing.

Now that I’m done with CF interior trim upgrades, am starting to think about Suedit’s Alcantara upgrades...But @boosted180sx warns that is also a deep rabbit hole. Jin offers too much good stuff and costs can quickly add up like going all out on Carbon Zone Poland.

Yeah I went all out with carbon my ride stuff and you are absolutely right things added up super quick. I too wouldn't mind going with the stuff that @boosted180sx has as far as alcantara goes. But I could easily see another couple grand easily. Sending you a message now but I found a manufacturer soon to carry carbon fiber antenna covers.

 

[kefi]

this thread damn near needs to be stickied for knowledge tell ya hwat