1. Start by removing the battery. Under the black cover in the trunk’s passenger side is where you’ll find the battery. Loosen the nuts on the negative and positive terminals using the 10mm nut driver (to be safe). Move the cables away from the battery terminal and disconnect them to prevent contact.
2. Take a peek under the steering wheel’s spokes. On either side, there is a small slit in an indentation. You should insert your flat-head screwdriver here.
The air bag retaining springs can be compressed with a tiny flathead screwdriver. When you come into contact with the spring, gently feel around with the screwdriver tip. The spring retracts when you press in. The screwdriver should be inserted slightly higher than the 3:00 and 9:00 spokes to get the best results when determining the ideal angle to compress the spring (see the pictures). To prevent damaging the airbag holes, please take your time. Examine images. During this procedure, it is simple to become frustrated. Make an effort to document the procedure well.
3. Make careful to make strong contact with the spring while pulling forcefully on one side of the airbag’s edges. Repeat on the opposite side. You may need to flip sides often since one side will occasionally clamp back down.
4. By pulling up on the yellow and green connectors, detach the airbag.
5. Disconnect the two wires that are attached to the clock spring within the wheel. When removing one, a locking tab needs to be depressed and the smaller wire carefully taken out.
6. To remove the middle bolt, use the 16mm ratchet and extension. If the wheel has never been taken off previously, it could be quite difficult. It might be best to get a friend’s assistance to hold the wheel firmly while you use leverage to remove the bolt (so as to not harm steering column).
7. When you install the replacement wheel, remember to line up the two markers at the 6:00 position (steering column and wheel).
8. When removing existing trim, make a note of the locations of the screws. Replace the old wheel’s wires, spring plate, and trim.
9. Reattach the wires to the airbag and clock spring. Make sure the cables are connected properly by taking note. Additionally, check that wires are not in the path of the two sizable springs that clamp the airbag. Push the airbag back into position.
10. Reattach the battery.
Note: The information above is available as an Adobe PDF file that you may view, download, or print: PDF for BMW steering wheel removal
In This Article...
Procedure
- Apply the parking brakes as you park the BMW. BMW steering wheel in the middle. Verify the direction of the front wheels.
- Cut the battery off. Remove the negative cable from the BMW battery by gaining access to it. Before disconnecting any airbag component, give it five minutes.
- Take away the airbag. By placing a flathead screwdriver or Torx 27 in the access holes on the side of the airbag, you may remove the BMW driver’s airbag.
- To remove the airbag from the BMW airbag, depress the spring.
- Cut the airbag’s wiring connections. To unlock the airbag harness, you’ll need a tiny flathead screwdriver.
- You can take the wires out of the airbag after unlocking the airbag connectors. You won’t be able to remove the airbag wires if you neglect to unlock the connector.
- After the airbag has been released, handle it gently. Place the airbag facing up in a secure area. See a video showing how to take an airbag out of a BMW 5-Series E60.
- You can see in the video below how to take out a BMW airbag from a BMW 3-Series E46.
- Steering wheel removed. Airbag and steering button cables should be disconnected.
- The 15mm bolt in the middle of the BMW steering wheel should be removed. You can then take the steering wheel off.
- To prevent harming the steering column locking mechanism, always hold the steering wheel counterclockwise.
- Watch this video to learn how to take the steering wheel off a BMW.
- Reverse the installation process of the new steering wheel. To 40Nm, tighten the steering wheel’s center bolt (30 ft-lb). Call your local BMW dealer to confirm the torque requirements.
- Put the driver’s airbag in place. First, connect the electrical harness. The airbag should then be fastened to the steering wheel.
- Adjust the steering wheel’s middle bolt’s tightness to OEM standards. Normal: 40Nm.
- If the airbag is secured by bolts on your BMW, the bolts should be torqued to 9 Nm.
- Put the negative terminal in place. To make sure the airbag light is off, start the BMW.
- Use a BMW scanner to read and clear the codes if the light is still on.
There are countless reasons why someone might wish to take off a BMW steering wheel and airbag. For instance:
- BMW Driver Airbag Blown
- BMW steering wheel that is worn
- Fix the BMW steering wheel’s rubbing and scraping noise.
- To fix the airbag light on a BMW, replace the clock spring.
- BMW steering column bearing replacement
- Replace the BMW steering wheel with a M Sport model.
Make sure you have the appropriate airbag for your BMW before removing the airbag. The single-stage and dual-stage airbags produced by BMW cannot be used interchangeably.
Resources needed:
- a tiny pry tool or flat-head screwdriver
- socket size 22
- Spanner wrench
- Adapter extension
- Starter key
The ignition key must be turned off and the steering column locked as a first step. When subsequently removing the nut, it is imperative to have the steering wheel locked; otherwise, your wheel will just spin. Check to see that the wheel is centered and not fully locked.
*** The roundel does not have to be taken off if you have a M-tech 2 wheel that is not airbag equipped. The central piece, which is only secured with a few plastic clips, must be taken out. Take hold of the middle piece’s edges and tug it gently in your direction. This component will have the horn’s wires attached to it, which must be slid off in order to complete the removal. For clarity, please refer to the pictures below.
Please click HERE to get our instructions on how to create a custom color steering wheel roundel similar to the one shown in the photographs.
Use a flathead screwdriver or tiny pry tool to wedge between the steering wheel roundel and the rubber wheel after the wheel has been locked (see image below). Any non-metallic pry tool should work, but if you’re worried about scratching your wheel while using a flat head screw driver, just tape the end for protection. Pry the roundel out by getting underneath it with the pry tool.
Take a 22mm socket and your extension and remove the central mounting nut now that it is visible. You probably neglected to take the key out of the ignition and lock the wheel if your wheel is spinning but not coming loose. Put the key back in the ignition after removing the nut to disengage the steering column lock pin by turning it to the first click.
We advise using a sharpie to mark a center line on the steering column post and wheel. You can then reinstall the wheel with ease thanks to this. (See illustration below)
Now that the wheel is free to travel away from the column and toward you, it should do so.
How is a BMW steering wheel opened?
The same way you did when the wheel was first locked, pull the wheel downward. Not sure which way to move? Try both; if you pull in the appropriate direction, the wheel will start to move. Put your key in the ignition and turn the key to the right while keeping your steering wheel pointed in the right direction.
How is a steering wheel cover removed?
There are three ways for you to effortlessly remove the cover from different types of steering wheel coverings (rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, fur, etc.).
Technique 1: Use a different form of force The principle behind this method is based on the notion of alternate force, which states that by continuously trying to move something tight in the opposite direction, it will eventually become less rigid. This approach will work well because the steering wheel cover is firmly fastened when it is installed.
Simply turn the steering wheel cover first toward you, then turn it back the other way. Continue until you see that the cover has loosened and is simple to remove. Alternating the action will help it separate more quickly.
The task could take some time to complete. Therefore, if you easily grow bored, you should attempt the other two.
Method two: Make use of a blow dryer This technique uses a blow dryer to heat the cover, softening it and making it easier to remove. Therefore, you should blow into each part for 10 seconds while your blow dryer is on the highest setting. The cover can then be removed without difficulty.
Third technique: Cut the strings Cut the connecting strings to free the wheel covers in its entirety. Cutting all the strings using scissors, followed by an easy manual removal of the steering wheel cover The quickest and simplest method to get caught up is to follow this procedure. However, use caution when using the scissors to prevent injury to yourself.
Without a key, how can I unlock the BMW steering wheel?
How can I unlock the push-to-start button on my steering wheel? You must have noticed that when you turn off your car and remove your key, the steering will lock. Therefore, there are two ways to unlock your steering wheel while using a push start button.
- You might try lightly shaking the steering wheel back and forth while applying the brake and pushing the start button once.
- You can remove your foot from the stop pedal, push the start button twice, and move the steering wheel simultaneously. The ignition will start with either choice.
On a BMW z4, how do you unlock the steering wheel?
If you are unable to spin the key at all, you should attempt simultaneously twisting the steering wheel and the key to unlock it: Learn which direction the steering wheel turns. A little give in one direction, but not the other, should be present. Avoid moving it back and forth.
How is the steering wheel on a BMW 128i adjusted?
- Set your seat in motion first. Once your seat is at a comfortable height, firmly press down on it.
- Take the ignition key out of the car.
- Lever folded downward.
- Set the Steering Wheel to the Height and Angle You Want.
- Back the Lever Up
How is the steering wheel on a BMW x7 adjusted?
To make sure the steering wheel is in a comfortable position, the steering column can be modified. Release the steering lever to the left of the steering column once the automobile is stopped and still. The column can be moved upward, below, and both toward and away from you. Hold the wheel in place once the desired position has been chosen, then raise the lever once more to lock it in place.
How do you unlock the steering wheel manually?
The ignition cylinder is directly connected to the steering wheel lock. Use your left hand to firmly jiggle the steering wheel to the left and right in order to unlock it. Likewise, turn the ignition key with your right hand from the LOCK position to the ACC (accessory) or START position.