Land Rover Repair: Steering Wheel, control switches, road wheels

Question
Hi:
Problem: I replaced my horn switches and the wiper switch - I had to pull the steering wheel out - replaced the parts - now I cant place back the steering wheel back into posittion - It slides easily a little, but stops half way - this is causing a craking noise in the steering wheel when you turn it - Do I need a special tool ..... please I live far away from the mecanic, so I want to try to solve this.
thanks
Luis (2003 Discovery II, 60000 miles)

Answer
Hi Luis,

here is what LR instructs:

Steering wheel
$%57.60.01.30
Remove
1. Remove drivers airbag.
+RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, REPAIRS, Airbag module - drivers.
2. Disconnect horn multiplug.
3. Centralise steering wheel with road wheels in straight ahead position.
4. Restrain steering wheel and loosen self locking nut securing steering wheel to column.
5. Release steering wheel from column.
6. Remove and discard self locking nut.
7. Remove steering wheel.

8. Attach tape across edge of rotary coupler to retain correct setting.

9. Release 2 clips securing each horn button to steering wheel.
10. Remove screw securing horn earth lead to steering wheel.
11. Disconnect radio and cruise control multiplugs.
12. Remove 2 screws securing radio switches to steering wheel.
13. Remove radio switches from steering wheel.
14. Remove 2 screws securing cruise control switches to steering wheel.
15. Remove cruise control switches from steering wheel.
16. Remove horns from steering wheel.

Refit
1. Fit horn switches to steering wheel and secure with clips.
2. Fit and tighten screw securing horn earth lead to steering wheel.
3. Fit cruise control switches to steering wheel and secure with screws.
4. Fit radio switches to steering wheel and secure with screws.
5. Connect radio and cruise control multiplugs.
6. Remove tape from rotary coupler.
7. Ensure road wheels are in straight ahead position and indicator cancelling cam are aligned horizontally.
8. Fit steering wheel to column.
9. Connect horn multiplug.
10. Fit and tighten new self locking nut securing steering wheel to column to 43 Nm (32 lbf.ft).
11. Fit drivers airbag.
+RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, REPAIRS,
Airbag module - drivers.


Perhaps you are having trouble with the rotary coupler:

Rotary coupler
$%76.74.20
WARNING: It is imperative that before any work is undertaken on the SRS system the appropriate information is read thoroughly.
WARNING: Always disconnect both battery leads before beginning work on the SRS system.

Disconnect the negative battery lead first. Never reverse connect the battery.

Remove
1. Remove the key from the starter switch. Disconnect both battery leads, negative lead first. Wait ten minutes before starting work.
2. Remove steering wheel.
+STEERING, REPAIRS, Steering wheel.
3. Remove steering column nacelle.
+STEERING, REPAIRS, Nacelle - steering column.
4. Release rotary coupler multiplug from bracket and disconnect from harness.
5. Disconnect rotary coupler multiplug from harness.
6. Remove rotary coupler.

Refit
1. Fit rotary coupler to steering column and connect multiplug to harness.
2. Connect rotary coupler multiplug to harness and secure to bracket.
3. Fit steering column nacelle.
+STEERING, REPAIRS, Nacelle - steering column.
4. Fit steering wheel.
+STEERING, REPAIRS, Steering wheel.

I hope this is helpful,

Best of luck,
JohnMc

NB: send me an email and I'll reply with a copy of this worksheet (includes diagrams).