Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's (See Last Post For Final Outcome..)

grambo · 05-30-2008, 08:30 AM

This is kind of a "How-To" and a heads-up all in one. I have been at this little install for quite a while and have learned alot. Here goes...
I purchased the Team Orange Steering Wheel, Works Bell Quick-Release, and an NRG Innovations Short Hub.
I then started perusing the forums for How-To's and here is what I found:
Thanks ProDriveRex for this one...
Horn Hookup and Turn Signal Auto Canceling on Aftermarket Wheel *NRG Setup*
Thanks VIREURORALLY for this one:
Aftermarket steering wheel and quick release hub install
Both are quite helpful in many ways but, fail a bit on an 06' STI.

With my first attempt, I removed the airbag and steering wheel. The NRG hub would not seat against the clock-spring assmbly without rubbing and my horn did not work. Neither did my turn-signal reset because that had to be removed to accomodate the NRG hub as well.
I tried to search around online for help and ProDriveRex's post was sent to me by the nice gentlemen at GarageSpec.

With my second attempt at installing my new wheel, I removed the steering roll connector (aka clock spring assy.) And this time I fabbed up the "brush" in the link sent to me and got the horn working. I also did the taped on turn-signal reset fix. Ugly, but it works. Upon starting the car a new problem appeared. My DCCD was dead.

Now I am in a panic and purchase the Subaru Service Manual Section 8 "WIRING".

I guess this is the How To part...

The Steering Roll Connector in the 06' and Cruise Control circuit are where I will focus.

First the Cruise Control. It is plugged in under the dash with a 5-pole, black connector. (#B68) The red/green wire in pin 1 is your horn. This can be used for powering up the horn circuit. The other four wires are for the crusie control. Each of these is basically an "open" until a switch on the cruise control stick is pushed and then the circuit is closed. These will not cause any problems when removed.

The other piece of the steering roll connector is actually two pieces. (Two halves if you will) The first (top) piece is the clock-spring for the airbag. It has a yellow wire extending from it ending with a yellow connector. It is a 4-pole, yellow connector (AB26). It connects to (AB21) a connector under the dash that lead to the Front Sub Sensor for the LH side of the vehicle. Again, when removed it causes no problems except for the airbag light in the dash.

The second half of the steering roll connector is the problem area for 06' STI owners. I found out the hard way. The pictures below show what I found out to be the "Steering Position Sensor". This sensor is screwed together with the clock spring. It had a white lead ending in a white, 4-pole connector (B426). This is actually part of the DCCD circuit and feeds steering inputs to the Yaw Rate & Lateral G sensor in the DCCD control module. Removing this leaves your DCCD stuck in full open and your driver controls are lost.

99% of the facts are in and a Works Bell or similar hub is necessary on the 06' - 07' STI.

Removing the steering-roll connector for any reason will disable your DCCD. Don't do it.

Stupid Subaru changing things every year or so...

*EDIT: See last post for more new information. This subject has concluded*

lunatictokyo · 05-30-2008, 01:46 PM

You could have just used the Works Bell hub (short or regular) and saved yourself some headache =) ... Everything bolts on, no problems.

nevermind, i saw at the bottom you just bought it.

mug23 · 05-30-2008, 02:16 PM

I guess this problem only for 06-07's? It seems 04-05's are safe as my DCCD does work...

grambo · 06-02-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lunatictokyo

You could have just used the Works Bell hub (short or regular) and saved yourself some headache =) ... Everything bolts on, no problems.

nevermind, i saw at the bottom you just bought it.

Yeah, that has been verified and my vendor is hooking me up pretty quick here.

After that it'll be a matter of repairing the clock spring wiring and I will be fine I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mug23

I guess this problem only for 06-07's? It seems 04-05's are safe as my DCCD does work...

As far as I can tell, most folks that have done an NRG hub on an 04-05 haven't had a problem. I have done lots of searching before posting up and really tried to only include facts that I could verify...

06AspenWhiteSTi · 06-03-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

I guess this problem only for 06-07's? It seems 04-05's are safe as my DCCD does work...

its because the pre '06 didnt have a steering wheel angle sensor

grambo · 06-04-2008, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06AspenWhiteSTi

its because the pre '06 didnt have a steering wheel angle sensor

Knowing very little about the subtle differences between an 04-05 and my 06, I was forced to do the research and find out for sure. Hopefully this can help the next dude that decides to upgrade his steering wheel.

jermdeez · 06-09-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06AspenWhiteSTi

its because the pre '06 didnt have a steering wheel angle sensor

what is that for?

dlouie87 · 06-13-2008, 08:06 PM

05 is ok right? problem free

token-negro · 06-22-2008, 09:24 PM

Bump for more info on the works bell hub, dont leave the 06 people hanging here, this thread has the chance to have usefull information.

grambo · 06-26-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jermdeez

what is that for?

The steering angle sensor tells the DCCD Module what position your steering wheel is in during a turn. Its just another input for the AWD to make "decisions" with.

grambo · 06-26-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlouie87

05 is ok right? problem free

Not sure about 05's. Some state that it does not have the Steering Angle Sensor. I dont know for sure.

grambo · 06-26-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by token-negro

Bump for more info on the works bell hub, dont leave the 06 people hanging here, this thread has the chance to have usefull information.

So, you went with an 06' after the crash. Good stuff. Sorry about your old car though...it was so nice.

Anyway, I will update accordingly when I get the Steering Roll Connector I just bought.

Most expensive friggin steering install in history....

grambo · 07-01-2008, 08:58 AM

UPDATE

All of the theories aside. The proper hub for an aftermarket steering wheel on an 06' or 07' STI is the Works Bell or similar. The NRG Innovation style hub will NOT work on an 06' or 07' STI.

Removal of any part of the steering roll-connector assembly disables the DCCD.

Thanks to: Ed and John at GarageSpec for being supportive and understanding. Thanks to jdmdave for offering to rip apart his car to help. Thanks to the "Electrical" section of the Subaru Maintenence Manual for good wiring diagrams...

RAPTR · 07-01-2008, 12:50 PM

Moderator this should be a sticky!!!

token-negro · 07-10-2008, 01:33 PM

If we had more information about, why the works bell unit works, how to identify other brands that might work those would be pretty helpfull.

05-30-2008, 08:30 AM	#1
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,678 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's (See Last Post For Final Outcome..) This is kind of a "How-To" and a heads-up all in one. I have been at this little install for quite a while and have learned alot. Here goes... I purchased the Team Orange Steering Wheel, Works Bell Quick-Release, and an NRG Innovations Short Hub. I then started perusing the forums for How-To's and here is what I found: Thanks ProDriveRex for this one... Horn Hookup and Turn Signal Auto Canceling on Aftermarket Wheel NRG Setup Thanks VIREURORALLY for this one: Aftermarket steering wheel and quick release hub install Both are quite helpful in many ways but, fail a bit on an 06' STI. With my first attempt, I removed the airbag and steering wheel. The NRG hub would not seat against the clock-spring assmbly without rubbing and my horn did not work. Neither did my turn-signal reset because that had to be removed to accomodate the NRG hub as well. I tried to search around online for help and ProDriveRex's post was sent to me by the nice gentlemen at GarageSpec. With my second attempt at installing my new wheel, I removed the steering roll connector (aka clock spring assy.) And this time I fabbed up the "brush" in the link sent to me and got the horn working. I also did the taped on turn-signal reset fix. Ugly, but it works. Upon starting the car a new problem appeared. My DCCD was dead. Now I am in a panic and purchase the Subaru Service Manual Section 8 "WIRING". I guess this is the How To part... The Steering Roll Connector in the 06' and Cruise Control circuit are where I will focus. First the Cruise Control. It is plugged in under the dash with a 5-pole, black connector. (#B68) The red/green wire in pin 1 is your horn. This can be used for powering up the horn circuit. The other four wires are for the crusie control. Each of these is basically an "open" until a switch on the cruise control stick is pushed and then the circuit is closed. These will not cause any problems when removed. The other piece of the steering roll connector is actually two pieces. (Two halves if you will) The first (top) piece is the clock-spring for the airbag. It has a yellow wire extending from it ending with a yellow connector. It is a 4-pole, yellow connector (AB26). It connects to (AB21) a connector under the dash that lead to the Front Sub Sensor for the LH side of the vehicle. Again, when removed it causes no problems except for the airbag light in the dash. The second half of the steering roll connector is the problem area for 06' STI owners. I found out the hard way. The pictures below show what I found out to be the "Steering Position Sensor". This sensor is screwed together with the clock spring. It had a white lead ending in a white, 4-pole connector (B426). This is actually part of the DCCD circuit and feeds steering inputs to the Yaw Rate & Lateral G sensor in the DCCD control module. Removing this leaves your DCCD stuck in full open and your driver controls are lost. 99% of the facts are in and a Works Bell or similar hub is necessary on the 06' - 07' STI. Removing the steering-roll connector for any reason will disable your DCCD. Don't do it. Stupid Subaru changing things every year or so... EDIT: See last post for more new information. This subject has concluded This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by grambo : 07-01-2008 at 01:01 PM.

05-30-2008, 01:46 PM	#2
lunatictokyo Junior STI Driver Posts: 165 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's You could have just used the Works Bell hub (short or regular) and saved yourself some headache =) ... Everything bolts on, no problems. nevermind, i saw at the bottom you just bought it.

05-30-2008, 02:16 PM	#3
mug23 Professional STI Racer Car: 05 WRX STi Location: Former Bostonian now in U Posts: 611 Join Date: Apr 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's I guess this problem only for 06-07's? It seems 04-05's are safe as my DCCD does work...

06-13-2008, 08:06 PM	#8
dlouie87 Spec C Club Car: 05 sti... Fav Mod: I Love my STi stickers! Location: Yuba/Chico, Ca Posts: 1,568 Join Date: Oct 2005 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's 05 is ok right? problem free

06-22-2008, 09:24 PM	#9
token-negro Junior STI Driver Car: Car Builder Fav Mod: Boost Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 188 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's Bump for more info on the works bell hub, dont leave the 06 people hanging here, this thread has the chance to have usefull information.

07-01-2008, 08:58 AM	#13
grambo Spec C Club Car: 06' CGM STI Fav Mod: Rustoleum Flat Black Location: Tracy, NorCal Posts: 1,678 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's UPDATE All of the theories aside. The proper hub for an aftermarket steering wheel on an 06' or 07' STI is the Works Bell or similar. The NRG Innovation style hub will NOT work on an 06' or 07' STI. Removal of any part of the steering roll-connector assembly disables the DCCD. Thanks to: Ed and John at GarageSpec for being supportive and understanding. Thanks to jdmdave for offering to rip apart his car to help. Thanks to the "Electrical" section of the Subaru Maintenence Manual for good wiring diagrams... Last edited by grambo : 07-01-2008 at 01:02 PM.

07-01-2008, 12:50 PM	#14
RAPTR Professional STI Driver Car: My journal Fav Mod: Tank the Terrier! Location: Walnut Cr, CA/Boulder, CO Posts: 448 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (3)	Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's (See Last Post For Final Outcome..) Moderator this should be a sticky!!!

07-10-2008, 01:33 PM	#15
token-negro Junior STI Driver Car: Car Builder Fav Mod: Boost Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 188 Join Date: Feb 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Aftermarket Steering Wheel On 06' STI's (See Last Post For Final Outcome..) If we had more information about, why the works bell unit works, how to identify other brands that might work those would be pretty helpfull. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.