Tesla Model Y Steering Wheel to Yoke Swap 2017-2022 (10 easy steps!)

Hi everyone! Below is the link to the steering yoke I bought & installed in my Tesla Model Y. Initial thoughts: it has a great build quality, largely Tesla stamped and barcoded parts, can be odd backing in a trailer or emergency correcting in snow or similarly slippery conditions, but honestly the vast majority of the time I find it's either equally as functional or nicer than the wheel. The wider base makes one-handed turning easier and requires less effort, encourages hand to be at 9 & 3 o'clock positions, gives an even simpler and more open view of front, allows more airflow for front vents, if you do install a dashboard screen it gives you a great unobstructed view to see it. As far as longevity, all of the components are all the OEM ones from my factory wheel so there's really not much to break or go wrong from this yoke besides the cast aluminum frame and 'leather' wrap.
www.amazon.com/dp/B0B49Q8ZKS?...
Here's a simplified version of the steps necessary to do the swap:
1. Turn car off, ensure steering position is centered at 0° of turn
2. Remove airbag via to 2 side holes with small screwdriver/steel wire & unplug yellow connector on right side
3. Remove brownish/purplish connector on left side for steering controls & heat
4. Bracing steering wheel unbolt center bolt to steering column, smack wheel to crack free and remove
5. Unscrew, unsnap, unplug control harness, air bag bracket, and gently pop off entire steering wheel forward panel from existing steering wheel & yoke
6. Plug in, screw, snap into new yoke the components & panels from the old wheel (if your yoke is carbon fiber or some material other than stock oem, then only swap the cords, harness, and modules, but leave the panels for the look)
7. Center new yoke onto steering column in exactly the same position as wheel was and bolt back down (my Model 3/Y manufacturer torque spec is 42 ft-lbs, BUT yours may be DIFFERENT, look yours up or ask your local Tesla dealer - I went off of what the tech said)
8. Plug both steering wheel controls/heater connector & air bag connector back in
9. Firmly reseat airbag/hown assembly onto steering wheel (the horn will sound, be courteous - don't do it at night ;) )
10. Try it out!

[@emotopdx]

I just installed one of these and there are two things that no one ever mentions but are important, firstly, watch out for the heated flat cable that comes out of the yoke lower housing so as not to pierce it with the faceplate alignment points that go into the bottom of the wheel and second, I prefer to tuck the main black wire looms down under the plastic flanges so they don't get pinched inside the horn bracket when horn is pressed down. There is room for them in there, just careful not to pinch them under flange when putting the bolts in. Thanks for your very detailed instructions and clear images.

[@cdavidhord]

The yoke has been an absolute pleasure on our Model S. Much more comfortable to use and looks great.

[@m3jazz]

nicely done!! Thanks for this

[@sham1026]

Very Detailed with the explanation, Thank you.. Waiting on my yoke to arrive and will definitely use your video as reference for the install.

[@robmon3241]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy!

[@cyprianskiba8768]

Wow! Tell us how you really feel 😂

[@Sam-qr1zh]

Very good information. I will be replacing mine too. Many thanks 👍👍

[@robmon3241]

It definitely is a different way of driving, especially if you're used to holding steering wheel at 10 & 2 and used to turning with two hands going hand over hand, there would 100% be a learning curve. If you're used to holding 9 & 3, single hand turning, single hand driving, or two handed but not release & regrab hand over hand the learning curve for backing up trailers, emergency maneuvers, tight off-road passes, sharp corners, etc I've found to be much less dramatic in practice than I'd expected it would be in theory before actually doing those things with it installed. I've found along with some nuanced disadvantages, I've since discovered some nuanced advantages with regard to having a wider-stance steering yoke, including steering ease, notably faster steering angle identification, reduced fatigue due to better reach, unimpeded dash and lower windshield visibility compared to a wheel, better driver hvac airflow, better visibility and accessibility to steering column sticks, Etc. The horn is still the entire center though, wipers, turn signals, etc. are still the same sticks on either side of the steering column as they were before and as they are in other vehicles as well, none of that changed from wheel to yoke. For some people though, based on your muscle memory and driving preferences there can certainly be a big learning curve were you to switch from a wheel to a yoke. No Doubt.

[@anthonybha4510]

Thank you

[@rashad3091]

Good job 👏 👍 👌

[@robmon3241]

Thanks

[@kclaptraffic]

As a long time body man I cannot stress enough the importance of disconnecting the positive 12v battery cable before removing the airbag, that is a bomb in your hand that is active if the 12v circuit has power. It takes 2 minutes to remove the top panel in the frunk and disconnect it.

[@raleedy]

I think I’ll wait for steering by wire. The yoke needs a highly variable ratio to work effectively.

[@ReeisLive]

I got the two pins to release and the air bag cover lifted but it won't detach from off the steering wheel. Not like yours just came right off. What do you think it is?

[@Paul-if1jq]

Please remove the brown/red clip as well, it very important to remove the yellow and brown/red plugs before you remove the steering wheel.....else you could pull out the ribbons that control steering ....and that will be 350 bucks

[@robmon3241]

Yes great shoutout, sorry if I didn't state that in the video!

[@labatomi]

I did exactly this and now I have to wait until new years to get mobile service out.

[@blackvikingthrone]

Same. Sucks. It feels like that was designed to catch people out. The way that one clip makes the ribbons of the clockspring explode like that just seems so unnecessary. The clip just just disconnect itself but noooooo… it makes a whole new mess for you to take care of.🤨

[@labatomi]

Got ahead of myself. Ripped of the steering wheel and messed up the clock spring and unspooled the whole thing. Now I have to wait until new years for a replacement. Great.

[@yevgenikovelman3306]

Thanks Rob, just replaced mine this morning, vegan garbage ripped at 52K miles. One update, the bottom clip wouldn’t release for me, had to wiggle it more and use both holes to release the airbag

[@supermandoan5090]

Thank for the video rob. Quick question. How long it take to receive your yok wheel since you place order from hansshow?

[@robmon3241]

Mine only took a couple days to arrive

[@user-jb5ew6dc8e]

تكنولوجيا ممتاز جدا 👍💕🙏

[@sinanariman1208]

Do you not have to disconnect the battery if you are reinstalling the same air bag?

[@deriklopez1802]

@sinanariman1208 I’m having the same issue, driving just without an airbag in place.

[@mte]

What torque did you tighten the steering wheel?

[@ifixsmartphone9079]

He said 42lbs, manual says 59 lb. ft (80 Nm)

[@madfoxgirl2015]

This upgrade, is it going to effect the warranty from tesla?

[@madfoxgirl2015]

Never mind, you already explained it in minute 26

[@robmon3241]

Yeah I never asked Tesla directly, my assumption is that probably yes because while most of these parts are either the OEM or Tesla manufactured parts, it's not what I ordered from Tesla, nor what Tesla themselves installed. Again though if there were some issue in the future with something else on your steering column assembly, you could always do the same steps to swap back the original wheel first

[@madfoxgirl2015]

@@robmon3241 thank you

[@cyprianskiba8768]

How are you liking the yoke?

[@robmon3241]

I enjoy it. Same perks still hold true as I mentioned in the video, easier to reach and the increased leverage means turns are easier because they require less effort. Really the only notable difference at this point is it's not even something I think about anymore, it just feels normal like that's how I've always driven.

[@cyprianskiba8768]

@@robmon3241 I’ve had mine for a week and really lovin it

[@reconforsales7708]

Reminds me of knight rider😂😂😂

[@MHZH-vr9uy]

thanks for the video. but this is not 10 steps, its more than 100 steps

[@nanami73_]

he's certainly not going to write that on the thumbnail.... he's gotta do what he's gotta do to keep the traffic flowing on the platform.

[@MHZH-vr9uy]

@@nanami73_ yes and you know the traffic law

[@nedned645]

You're so by the book 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@wrightwells]

You were lucky not to have triggered the airbag, you need to also disconnect the 12v battery!! As well as turning the car off.

[@robmon3241]

Good shoutout, I had turned it off, hadn't disconnect the 12v lithium battery though just as an extra safety measure, wouldn't be a bad idea though

[@timothyware8369]

Power off is fine.

[@teo977]

Dato che hai fatto una fatica immane per svitare la vite del volante, non pensi che sarebbe stati meglio far fare il lavoro ad un professionista? E lo hai riavvitato con la stessa forza? Non credo... E poi per smontare l'airbag devi staccare anche la batteria. È pericolosissimo quello che hai fatto