Over time, the stock steering wheel on a Chevrolet Tahoe can wear down and look bad, or even crack from heat. This can make the driving experience uncomfortable, and make you want to change out the wheel for a new model. This can be done easily, but you first need to remove the airbag, which takes a few special steps to be safe. In this case, the project vehicle is a 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe, but the process is similar for other vehicles as well.
Pop the hood and disconnect the negative terminal on the battery using an open-end wrench. Allow the truck to sit for 30 to 45 minutes to allow any residual energy in the system to dissipate.
Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees from the straight forward position. Place the blade of the flathead screwdriver into the hole in the back of the steering wheel, which is now on top of the steering column. Push the screwdriver in place and one side of the airbag will pop free. Repeat the process for the other side of the airbag, which will pop the entire airbag out of the steering wheel.
Unplug the airbag from the steering wheel using your hands. Then place the airbag face up (horn button pointing towards the sky) on a static-free surface. Turn the steering wheel to point it straight ahead.
Unbolt the steering wheel from the steering column using the 1/2-inch ratchet, extension and socket. Place the center of the steering wheel puller onto the center of the steering column, and thread the bolts with the kit into the threaded holes flanking the steering column on the steering wheel. Tighten down the puller using the ratchet, which will pop the steering wheel off of the column.
Slide the replacement steering wheel onto the steering column, making sure that it's centered correctly. Tighten it down using the stock bolt and the 1/2-inch ratchet, extension and socket.
Plug the wiring for the airbag into the back of the airbag, then push it into the steering wheel until you hear it clip into place. Reconnect the negative terminal on the battery using an open-end wrench.
