So, I'm getting ready to do this and I'm getting mixed info. I purchased a complete steering wheel (not just the inserts). Will I need the harness to get it to work? 2014 Ram Express. Also, the instructions say to disconnect the battery but the videos say that the steering wheel needs to be moved to get to each of the clips....did people leave the battery hooked up while removing the clips but disconnected it prior to actually disconnecting the airbag?
I just did this upgrade on my 2015 ED Tradesman. Went to Oreilly's and got the $16 Performance Tools W80651 steering wheel puller and PT W942 hook/pic set. I tried a couple of the picks and the one of the L ones worked really easy to pop the Air Bag clips off. I didn't disconnect my battery (any of the three times) but I did have my key off when working on the air bag. Probably should have disconnected the battery. I used my S9+ front facing camera sitting on the steering wheel column (there is a little notch on the top that helps it not slide down) in front of the EVIC display and it worked perfect to see what I was doing. I was able to turn the steering when ok on pavement and crushed rock to get each clip towards the top.
One thing to note is that all the videos show taking off the bottom kick panel and the lower steering panel. You only need to take off the top column panel by removing the two torx screws on the bottom ends. I also found it easier to put the screws back in the top panel with the steering wheel off (you only need the top off to get to the air bag clips.
Screwed up my clock spring setting, even though I tried to be careful. Put the new steering wheel on with just the center bolt loose and drove around. Popped it off, rotated a couple notches, pushed on slightly until I felt it was straight. Used a sharpie to mark the left and top to make it easier (when I did this a the third time to fix clock spring) to realign it.
For the clock spring, I did the all the way left, all the way right, count and divide trick. With the steering wheel off, I cranked the truck, foot on brake and put it in reverse. I was able to verify the clock spring was in the middle using my reverse camera lines and noting when it was straight. The wires should be at the top and the nub on the bottom (assuming your wheels are straight) when your lines are in the middle (and the divide in half trick).
Something to note when I had the clock spring off a rotation, my traction control light was on. After re-centering, it took me driving about 3-4 blocks for the light to go off. Originally I was getting worried because it didn't go off right away.
