One piece of advice: Once the three screws are unscrewed, they stay in place. Work the trim up over the wheel from one side alone.
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The front trim on the steering wheel was removed, according to a PM I received last night. In order to share images and because the person’s mailbox was full, I thought I’d make a little post about it. I think both the sport and M sport wheels require essentially the same steps for this process.
This can be helpful if your trim is scratched, you’re wanting to swap the inside out for a M performance wheel, or you need to make some other repair.
You will require a little flat head screwdriver and a torx screwdriver (I can’t remember what size).
The paddle shifters must be taken out first. One torx screw, located right below the buttons on each side and accessible from inside the wheel, holds them to each other. You should be able to simply angle your screwdriver in because they are attached at an angle.
Three screws need to be removed from the back of the wheel after the paddle shifters have been taken out.
Sorry, I did that! We appreciate you taking the time to post this and for assisting our fellow forum users. People like you are what make this site such a wonderful place to be!
Sorry, I did that! We appreciate you taking the time to post this and for assisting our fellow forum users. People like you are what make this site such a wonderful place to be!
Fortunately, I was able to locate some of the other pictures from 2017 that I did not upload. I wasn’t going to bother doing it once more!
Like the title says. I’m tempted to pull it off because it doesn’t seem to be held on by anything other than snap tabs, but I want to make sure first.
To remove the trim, carefully unscrew the volume and cruise control buttons from behind. Although unplugging the airbag is difficult, doing it will make things easier.
Where did you purchase this M-piece? I want one. Also, is it more difficult to remove the volume/cruise modules if you use paddle shifters.
My neighborhood BMW dealer sold me the original M Sport trim part (Part # 32337841892). I didn’t even try to remove the screws because I had paddle shifters and the ones in the video above are hidden. I performed this with a tiny pry tool for door panels. Starting at the bottom of the steering wheel, you must climb to the top sides. There are only rubber inserts instead of screws where the back of the new trim piece fits. Without taking out the airbag, it was difficult, but the plastic bits are highly flexible and forgiving. A few of the plastic pins in the trim piece had to be very slightly bent in order to fit perfectly into the rubber steering wheel backing.
I want to wrap a steering wheel with carbon fiber because the trim is peeling. It looks like the trim below. Do the screws at the back of the wheel need to be undone in order to remove the trim piece, or can I just undo them?
I’ve been watching videos on how to remove the airbag, but I’m concerned about how to reinstall it.
I appreciate your valuable post. I couldn’t find a thread that said I could take out this component without taking out the airbag. Additionally, there is nothing in the post on how to put it back on—only how to remove it.
On a 2002, the bottom trim may be taken off by simply unscrewing the two screws without disabling the airbag. All you need to do is unscrew the two screws and pull out the trim if you can see the full piece as shown in the picture. You will need to exert some effort because it presses in at the top. You will need to remove the airbag if the depression at the top of the trim is not discernible. If so, the angle at which the spring retainers that hold it in must be released is crucial, and the negative battery terminal MUST be removed before releasing the airbag and pressed back into place PRIOR to reconnecting the connection. I can tell you exactly what you need to do if you have a photo of a steering wheel with the existing trim attached.
Use a screwdriver with a broad head (huge torx) and carefully pull the airbag on that side, then repeat on the other side. Behind the steering wheel, there are 2 left and right facing holes that are larger than the other screw holes.
Make careful you turn off your ignition, unhook the airbag’s two harnesses, and place them somewhere safe.
I’ve done it many times and can remove the airbag in less than 20 seconds, but it should take you five minutes.
Start removing the trim piece with a little torx screwdriver. The holes are snug and there are, I believe, five in total.
I’ve read the instructions on how to take it off, but I have a question: Can the trim piece be removed without removing the airbag? If not, how do I do that? Do I need to re-insert the spring at the same time as re-applying the airbag?
How can I take the trim off of my steering wheel?
- As shown by the red arrows, wedge your fingers behind the lower portion of the trim and pull hard upward.
- Use a gentle hinging and tugging motion to loosen the upper clips on both sides of the steering wheel after the bottom clips have been freed.
- Release the clamps slowly since the trim will fall to the ground.
A heated steering wheel can be added to a BMW, right?
The switch, a steering wheel with a heating element within, and coding are required. The one with the heating element has a different part number. I believe that all that is required is to just add the switch.
Can the steering wheel cover be changed?
Your major point of touch while operating a vehicle is the steering wheel, which you press against your skin for miles on end. For aesthetic and performance reasons, luxury and sports cars already come with high-end steering wheels, or you might spend hundreds of dollars on a replacement steering wheel. However, adding a steering wheel cover, which costs under $20, is a simple and inexpensive update.
The right steering wheel cover can shield your steering wheel from deterioration, hide cracks and other problems in older vehicles, increase grip and comfort, or even have heating and cooling features to make it more bearable to handle a hot or cold steering wheel.
If my steering wheel has an airbag, can I change it?
One of the largest expenditures we’ll ever make is a car. It should come as no surprise that many of us want to add a few tweaks to our purchases given how much we pay for them.
When it comes to vehicle performance and safety, cosmetic alterations are typically safe and of little consequence. Lines can be crossed, though, when engines are altered and parts are substituted.
In Australia, vehicles must meet a minimum level of safety, and laws are in place to make sure that Australian Design Rules (ADR) and vehicle safety requirements are not disregarded. The ADR are national standards that apply to all vehicles, new, used, or imported, and they address pollution, anti-theft, and vehicle safety.
The restrictions are designed to safeguard everyone, even though it may appear like they are there to prevent you from having fun with your car.
A steering wheel may need to be replaced for valid reasons, such as if it is defective or broken. If this is the case, there won’t be any cause for concern if a similar steering wheel replaces the old one. A modification involves the removal of an original steering wheel and its replacement with a different, aftermarket one. Whether the change complies with standards or not will depend on a few factors.
If you decide to switch your steering wheel because you prefer one that is a different color, shape, or material. It could be more difficult than you imagine to always follow the law. You must make sure the substitute steering wheel conforms with the applicable ADR. If the original steering wheel featured a recessed or padded hub, the replacement steering wheel must have a comparable design. The steering wheel cannot be any smaller than 330mm in diameter. Only be seen on the racetrack if the steering wheel is removable or quick-release.
The steering wheel on vehicles built after 1970 must be approved to ADR 10 specifications. The steering wheel must be approved to ADR 69 (complete frontal impact occupant safety) vehicle requirements if the vehicle was built after June 1995. In this case, the steering wheel must have certification from the car’s maker to show that it is appropriate for that specific model.
No matter whatever ADR you must adhere to, you should constantly verify that the steering wheel is appropriate for your car.
The new steering wheel should contain an airbag if your car already has one as a standard feature. You won’t be able to install a replacement steering wheel with an airbag if it didn’t come with one as standard equipment. Vehicles with airbags have different criteria than those without them, and the design of steering columns and steering wheels might vary depending on whether airbags are fitted or not. When a crash test is conducted on a vehicle, it is based on the safety features that come as standard.
Sometimes it may seem as though the laws and regulations are excessive. They are strictly enforced, nevertheless, for a few fairly sane reasons.
Be cautious if you’re considering installing an aftermarket steering wheel. Find a trained specialist to install the replacement and do all necessary checks to make sure the steering wheel complies with manufacturer and ADR criteria and satisfies regulatory standards.
Can a steering column be changed?
How much it will cost to replace your steering column will depend on WHERE you take your car (independent repair shop, dealership, etc.) as well as the type and model of your automobile.
Most auto repair businesses will charge you between $500 and $1,500 on average for the entire replacement operation. If you hire a dealership to complete the work, budget at least twice as much.
Although it is possible to repair a steering column on your own, it is advised that you have some mechanical experience because it is a more complicated work.
In that instance, you can frequently find a used steering column on eBay or another online social media marketplace for under $100 (or $200 to $500 for a brand-new device) and invest some time in the replacement. The process of replacement would be more challenging the newer and more advanced the vehicle is.
For the majority of car owners, getting a steering column replacement done by a qualified mechanic is essential. Don’t assume that just because you can replace your own spark plugs or oil, you can also replace a steering column.
Get at least two or three quotations from nearby mechanics for a task like this. Their estimates can differ by hundreds of dollars, as you’ll discover. Having said that, since the component directly affects the driver and passengers’ safety, this is a job for a good mechanic rather than the cheapest mechanic.
How much does it cost to reupholster a steering wheel?
Your cheapest choice is going to be to get a steering wheel cover. Almost any color or material you could possibly want is available for steering wheel covers. Although they can be a little hefty, some people might not like the way a steering wheel cover looks or feels.
As an alternative, you can have your steering wheel professionally rewrapped, albeit this can also be a costly option. Find a local expert to complete this process for you, but be prepared to pay $150 to $450 for their services.