03 Disco: Local LR expert says steering wheel removal isn't necessary; repair manual says it is.

It's too late to call my mechanic; would greatly appreciate a third opinion.

Thanks!

 

And the answer is: steering wheel does not need to be removed, as long as you're careful not to strip the screws holding the switch in (with the wheel on, you can't get a great angle on the screws, but with patience and some pressure, you can get them out. Also, rotate the steering wheel 90 degrees counter clockwise to get at the screws.

The service manual isn't exactly clear about how the switch comes out, but once I looked at the new part I realized you just need to pull the old switch horizontally towards the drivers door after unscrewing it (it took quite a tug to get it out). Total repair time: 15ish minutes of part swapping. 30ish minutes of figuring out how to do it.

 

ish minutes? are you looking at your kinda-sorta clock again?

 

You do NOT need to remove the steering wheel. I just did both the turn signal and wiper stalks. You need to use a long skinny screwdriver and turn the steering wheel all around until you see the proper position for it. Once in the proper position access to the screws is easy. You will not be straight on it, but you will have plenty of bite. Those screws are or should be barely tight. Maybe 2 or 3lbs torque on them.

Once they are off, you will find getting the stalk out to be difficult. It feels stuck or held in by something else. It is not and just requires a good pull to get them off. Feels like they are going to come apart, but they do not.

 

How do you guys remove the cover over the steering column?

 

A couple screws on the bottom. Two or four, can not remember.

 

Ok, thank you.
Now anybody who looks this up will know from start to finish.