Removing airbag/steering wheel

[godM0d3]

I have a '90 LX and I'm starting to strip down the interior. I was removing the wheel (according to the shop manual) and removed three of the nuts holding on the airbag. Now I find the fourth one is stripped and I cant get it off. Is it possible to get the wheel off without removing the airbag first, or am I going to have to do something dangerous to remove the airbag?

 

[01PonyGT]

The bolt that you need to remove to get the steering wheel off is under the airbag. I know the clearance is tight, but maybe you can fit a small socket that you use to remove stripped bolts (I think Sears sells sockets called "bolt-out" or something similar).

WES

 

[bluestang2.3]

BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!

Mustangs have a battery backup under the glove department for the airbag that can last up to ½ an hour after the battery is disconnected. You can get what is called a turbo socket at autozone that will help you get the bolt out. SERIOUSLY wait a ½ an hour AFTER the battery is disconnected to prevent a tool expolding into your face. One way or another you will have to get that bolt out to remove the wheel otherwise you won't get the puller in there.
Hope this helps-Jeff

287K and rising

 

[godM0d3]

I actually got it out this morning. I thought the nuts were 7/16, but it turned out they were 10mm, that's why the socket kept slipping. Thanks for the help though.

 

[Hickfied]

Yup, all the body bolts are metric.

 

[godM0d3]

yeah, and now I need a 15mm wrench to actually get the wheel off. I hate the mix of standard and metric!