Last Updated: 11/21/2023 @ 08:35 pm

Member Credit: Jon Jainarine

Disclaimer: Besides getting a wheel from 2019 or later, please do not buy wheels equipped with intelligent cruise control. Using such a wheel will result in your cruise control not functioning correctly (see Picture 6). If your 8th-gen wheel control connector resembles that of the 5.5 gen, be sure to re-pin it to match the configuration shown in Picture 7.

Step 1: Remove negative from battery and let the car sit for at least 30 minutes before touching your 5.5 airbag or installing the new one.

Step 2: You need a T-30 security torx bit to take out that airbag. Theres one screw on each side behind small trim pieces. Pull the screws and the bag comes right out. Unplug your harnesses.

Step 3: Some 8GM steering wheels come with a steering control connector that is the same as the 5.5. Others come with a smaller white connector (Pic 1.). Either way I find that the easiest way to install this is to cut the 8GM and 5.5 connector off and splice the wire from the 8GM wheel into the 5.5 connector. This way you can reuse your original 5.5 connector without the need to de-pin and re-pin. Just follow the wiring instructions (Pic 2.).

Step 4: For your airbag you’ll need a pair of orange and yellow Steering Wheel Clock Spring Plug Wires. I got mine from Amazon that came the next day with prime (Pic 3.)

Step 5: With the airbag connectors facing down and the black clips facing up, both left wires will connect to the blue wire on your 5.5 connector. The right wire on the orange connector will connect to the black on the 5.5 connector and the right wire on the yellow connector will connect to the yellow wire on the 5.5 connector. (Pic. 4.)

Step 6: Now torque your new wheel down to 30 ft.lbs connect all your wires and say a lil prayer before connecting that airbag. If it doesn’t blow up good work your 5.5 gen maxima has now gained 10 cool points.