How To Install A Drake Muscle Cars Steering Wheel Into A 2015-Current Ford Mustang

08/30/2022

How To Install A Drake Muscle Cars Steering Wheel Into A 2015-Current Ford Mustang

08/30/2022

For the average, everyday driver, something like the feel of the steering wheel won’t matter too much. But for real enthusiasts, it means everything. You want the grip to feel right. You want the materials to inspire confidence. No slick, slippery surfaces. No strange shapes, and certainly no ill-fitting steering wheel covers. In the past, if you didn’t like the steering wheel in the car, the answer was to simply change the steering wheel. But in the age of multifunction controls, heated grips, and the airbag, what is the answer? Easy: change the steering wheel. Drake Muscle Cars is now offering up steering wheels for the S550 (2015-current) Ford Mustang, in both Alcantara-wrapped and Carbon-Fiber with Leather grips. The process is a bit more involved beyond just undoing the big nut at the center of the wheel hub, but the finished product is worth the effort. Follow along and see what it takes to give the one item you constantly touch in your Mustang a new look and feel.

DMC Mustang Steering Wheel battery disconnect

To begin the process, park the Mustang with the wheels aimed straight ahead, with the steering wheel in the 12-o'clock position. Disconnect the negative terminal battery at this time, and wait at least twenty minutes before attempting to work on the steering wheel. This is to eliminate any safety concerns regarding working on the air bag.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Airbag Removal Clip Hole

Once sufficient time has passed, you can get started with disassembly by removing the airbag. Using a pin punch, small screwdriver, 4mm Allen key, or other implement, press in on the spring clip that holds the airbag via the two holes in the side of the steering wheel. As you press in on the spring clip, pull on the airbag to release the clip.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel airbag electrical connections

On the backside of the airbag module, you will find three connectors. Disconnect the black connector first, then using a plastic pry tool, lift the orange locks, then proceed to remove the connectors from the module.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Main Electrical Harness

The next item is the main electrical connector, which is grey and is located at the 12-o'clock position in the wheel. Depress the black lock tab to release the connector. If your steering wheel has the optional wheel heater, you need to disconnect that connector (located just underneath the main mounting bolt at the 6-o'clock position) before proceeding.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel main bolt removal

Using an impact wrench, remove the 24mm bolt, then remove the steering wheel. Be careful when pushing the wire connectors through the steering wheel as you remove it, and make sure that the clockspring is in the correct location, with the electrical connector at the 12-o'clock position.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Wing Trim Screw Removal

Now that the steering wheel is out, proceed to remove the eight screws that hold the wing trims in place. Work from left to right in a counter-clockwise motion, and keep track of where each screw goes, as different screw shoulders are used for different locations.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Trim Wing Removal

To separate the trim wings from the steering wheel core, use a plastic pry tool on the outer edge of the trim while prying up gently. On the left and right trim wings, you will need to disconnect the electrical connector. Simply press down on the locking tab and gently pull apart to separate the connector.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Lower Control removal

Remove the lower controls using a T-20 Torx bit. Note where each screw goes...they are unique and need to be reinstalled in the same location. Disconnect the connector by using a small screwdriver to carefully push down on the release tab.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel paddle shifter removal

To remove the paddle shifters, unscrew the one screw holding the paddle in place on the wheel core, then push down on the connector's release tab and separate from the harness.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Rear Shell Assembly Removal

Place the steering wheel face-down, and using the plastic pry tool, remove the rear shell from the steering wheel core. There is one more wiring harness that must be disconnected before the shell can be fully separated from the core.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel damper removal

The last item to be removed from the original steering wheel is the damper. Using a pin punch, CAREFULLY push the four orange rubber grommets in (towards the rear). Then pry off the damper with the plastic pry tool. Use caution...you do not want to tear the orange rubber on the damper.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel damper install 1

To start the installation process, put some silicone grease on the grommets of the damper, then softly push the grommets into the steering wheel. Again, be careful to not tear the rubber.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel rear shell install

Next to be installed is the rear shell of the wheel. If you have a heated steering wheel, be sure to properly route the wiring. Also, be sure that no wiring involved winds up pinched as you install the rear shell.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Wiring into channel

Flip the steering wheel over and tuck the wiring into the channel. A pin punch or thin screwdriver will be useful here.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Paddle Shifter Install

Next, install the paddle shifters. Be sure they are positioned properly and that they have the full range of motion before torquing the screw to 44 in-lbs, then plug in the electrical connector.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Install Lower Wing

After making one final check to make sure the wiring in the channel is where it needs to be, install the lower wing trim. Pop the trim into place, then install the two screws, torquing them down to 44 in-lbs.


Drake Muscle Cars Controls Install 1

Next, you will install the controls. Install them one side at a time. First, connect both electrical connectors, then install the lower control and install and tighten the top screw only...


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Controls Install 2

...then install the upper controls. Since there is a shared screw for both the upper and lower controls. Pop the rear shell into place, then tighten the screws down to 44 in-lbs. Repeat the same process for the other wing control. Perform one final wiring inspection on the wiring.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel install wiring

Moving into the car, proceed to feed the wiring from clockspring through the steering wheel, exactly as they were in the original wheel. Then slide the steering wheel on and verify that everything is exactly as it should be, with the steering wheel in the 12-o'clock position.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Mounting Bolt

Place a bit of blue Loctite onto the bolt before installing. Tighten the bolt down to 35 ft-lbs. of torque.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel Electrical Connectors Install

Reconnect the main electrical connector (at the 12-o'clock position) and, if equipped, the heated steering wheel connector (at the 6-o'clock position).


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel airbag connections

Next is the airbag module. Firmly plug in the connectors and push the orange locking tabs down, then connect the long black connector. Ensure the wiring is not tangled up.


Drake Muscle Cars Mustang Steering Wheel airbag module installation

With the connections complete, push the airbag module into the steering wheel. You should hear an audible "click" when each spring clip engages.


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