[HFW003]

Originally Posted by mdai245

Can anyone confirm whether or not it is safe to turn the wheel with the car OFF?

That is what the guy in the video seems to be doing unless he did some video edits.

Did some research on this and did not find anything solid out there saying it was unsafe to do so or that it would damage the steering column or drivetrain.

Not sure if it's the same where you are but down here the steering locks if you turn the wheel with the car off.

Don't forget also, you must unhook the battery if you are taking the air bag off!

[mdai245]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Not sure if it's the same where you are but down here the steering locks if you turn the wheel with the car off.

Don't forget also, you must unhook the battery if you are taking the air bag off!

Yeah, I meant with the battery disconnected

It can rotate it to any angle if you turn it hard enough...

[alihanoglu]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Not sure if it's the same where you are but down here the steering locks if you turn the wheel with the car off.

Don't forget also, you must unhook the battery if you are taking the air bag off!

how can i unhook the battery?

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by alihanoglu

how can i unhook the battery?

From memory its either a 10 or 12mm spanner, you just need to take the negative lead off.

[alihanoglu]

Originally Posted by HFW003

From memory its either a 10 or 12mm spanner, you just need to take the negative lead off.

can you show me with a photo? i dont want to make it wrong

[DLag30]

Originally Posted by teapain

man, f*ck that first video. spent an hour with smashed fingers and gave up. found this little gem on youtube that took me less than 5 minutes.

bookmarked

I plan on using this when I install my paddles..

[HFW003]

Originally Posted by alihanoglu

can you show me with a photo? i dont want to make it wrong

Seriously mate?

You open up the section in the boot where the battery is, take the appropriate sized spanner and under the negative (black) lead.

[floatstone]

God dammit. it cost me 1 hour and i gave up.

[floatstone]

And i almost tear down the hole. What a pain.

[Blahx9]

Originally Posted by friederbluemle

Yes I was able to do it. The video at the top of this thread is kinda misleading, since it looks totally effortless the way he slides the screwdriver in and pops the airbag out. Not sure, but I assume that's how it would look like after you go through the whole procedure 30 times and the hooks and soft material inside of the steering wheel start wearing out.

Here is a more detailed description on how I did it:

1. Use the right screwdriver. A T20 torx will work best, but the philipps used in the video should be fine too.
2. Insert the screwdriver in the opening, at an angle that is parallel to the back plate of the steering wheel.
3. After about 45 mm (1.77 in) you will feel a resistance
4. This is the step that initially tripped me up: In order to get the screwdriver head behind the U shaped clamp of the airbag unit, you have to push the screwdriver handle inward (towards the center of the steering wheel).
5. If you push it far enough you will be able to advance the screwdriver another 5 mm for a total insertion depth of 50 mm (1.97 in). Now the screwdriver is in the right position
6. Only now push the handle of the screwdriver outwards in order to release the U clamps from the hooks. Note that the airbag unit does not "pop" out, it need to be pulled out.
7. At the same time as you're doing the previous step, with your other hand wiggle and pull the whole airbag unit until you feel it coming loose. You won't be able to move it much, since it's still locked on the other side.
8. Repeat on the other side, while making sure that airbag unit will not snap back.

@newoldbeemer, I don't know any shops, but let me know if the instructions are useful. I work in SJ and could help you if you want.

Wow couldn’t get it until I found this. Great advice for F32/F30

[snipagang]

Sorry to revive old thread but I just wanted to add some pointers for those who may find this.

I recently did a steering wheel change myself and it was brutally difficult to get the airbag out using the traditional method of sticking in a flathead or T-whatever in through the bottom of the steering wheel. I gave up multiple times and it was a pain. I don't recommend this.

What I did was remove the cowel trim pieces behind the steering wheel. Once you do that you can sort of access the clips from behind the wheel. The difference is now you can actually see them instead of blindly fishing around and hoping. Once you locate them and unclip, it took me a lot of force to get the airbag out once it was unclipped. It actually required 2 people. One person pushing in both clips at same time and other pulling out airbag. Taking off the cowel trim piece behind the wheel seems hard but its not. Get a thin flathead and pry it off carefully, itll pop right off but it will require some prying. Kies made a video, but if you never have taken off the trim piece you will need tools to pry it, he made it look WAY easier than it actually is. Extremely misleading.

Attached is a photo showing where to pry upwards to get the trim behind the steering wheel off. Ignore the M sport wheel in the photo, this advice is for base F30 wheel.

[Billfitz]

I removed the cowl as well, it makes the job much easier being able to see the clips. I also used a couple of trim removal wedges to put outward pressure on the bag, so you don't need another person yanking on it while you release the clips.