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01-31-2009, 06:00 PM
ciz28
Member
E30: 1991 318is
Location: Redmond, WA
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 77
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#1
How To Guide: Replace airbag steering wheel with non-airbag wheel
I never found a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to replace an airbag steering wheel with a
non-airbag steering wheel, so I wrote up the process I went through. Hope this can be helpful for
some of you.
Tools Needed:
M-Tech I steering wheel
Steering wheel spacer (Part # 32-31-1-120-260)
22mm or 7/8" socket
Ratchet wrench
Slotted screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver
Torx T30 screwdriver
8mm or 5/16" screwdriver
Pliers
The steering wheel spacer can be found here at Real OEM:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...32&fg=30&hl=12
You should be able to purchase one from your local BMW dealer, or online at Tischer BMW for $5.43:
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...&siteid=214672
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Use a Torx T30 screwdriver to remove the airbag from the steering wheel. There are two screws on
the back of the steering wheel at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock. Disconnect the orange plug from the airbag
and set aside.
Make sure the key is removed and engage the steering lock. Use a 22mm socket and ratchet wrench
to remove the nut holding the steering wheel onto the spindle. Insert the key to disengage the
steering lock. Remove the steering wheel and set aside.
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Use pliers to remove the white pin at the 11 o'clock position. This is only needed for an airbag
steering wheel and will cause a non-airbag steering wheel to bind up.
Use a small slotted screwdriver to pry the BMW emblem out of the center of the new steering wheel.
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Apply some grease to the bottom of the steering wheel as shown in the picture. This should make
sure the steering wheel turns freely without squeaking.
Make sure the key is in the ignition and the steering lock is disengaged. Slide new steering wheel
onto the spindle. Then place the additional spacer, washer, and nut onto the spindle
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Remove the key and engage the steering lock. Tighten the nut on the spindle.
Optional Step: Removing the airbag will cause the indicator light in the check panel to flash. This step
will disable the SRS system. Remove the lower knee bolster using an 8mm screwdriver. Make sure
the two plugs are removed from the door ringer. Remove the upper knee bolster using a Phillips
screwdriver. Unplug the connectors going to the orange SRS control module.
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Optional Step: A non-airbag wheel will be much closer to the wiper/signal stalks. One solution is to
carefully bend the stalks back into a more comfortable position. Mine broke when trying this, so I
replaced them with stalks from a non-airbag car instead. To replace the stalks, remove the lower and
upper knee bolster as described above. Remove the lower steering column casing with a Phillips
screwdriver. Remove both stalks with a Phillips screwdriver and disconnect the plugs from under the
dash. Reinstall new stalks.
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01-31-2009, 06:08 PM
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#2
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Low Level
Senior Member
E30: M3
Location: East Coast
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,365
Very nice!!! Well-written guide!
So the stalks are specific to airbag and non-airbag cars, huh?
Does the MTech1 installed on an airbag car sit the same distance from the dashboard as when it's
installed in a non-airbag car?
01-31-2009, 06:15 PM
#3
ciz28
Member
E30: 1991 318is
Location: Redmond, WA
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by Low Level
Very nice!!! Well-written guide!
So the stalks are specific to airbag and non-airbag cars, huh?
Does the MTech1 installed on an airbag car sit the same distance from the dashboard as
when it's installed in a non-airbag car?
Yes, the stalks are different for airbag and non-airbag cars. There is also a different turn signal stalk
for full 13-button OBC cars. You can see the different variations at Real OEM. Swapping in the nonairbag stalks will make the gap behind the new non-airbag wheel more appropriate.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...64&hg=61&fg=35
I'm not sure if the distance from the dash is the same on an airbag car versus a non-airbag car. I do
know that the distance from the dash is now shorter comparing my new M-Tech I wheel to my old
airbag wheel. Maybe someone that has both an airbag car and a non-airbag car can chime in on this
one.
01-31-2009, 08:09 PM
#4
Real Classic
Coming Soon
sticky?
E30: SOLD
Location: Pottstown, Pa
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 830
01-31-2009, 08:21 PM
#5
winfred
Contributing Member
i actually like the airbag stalks with the regular wheel, you pretty much don't need to change your
grip on the wheel to hit the wipers or sig's, it doesn't take long to get use to the closeness
__________________
Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority and rabidly
promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely
possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
E30: 91 328is m20b28 with a
hair drier and some other
goodies
Location: baton rouge loserana
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,587
01-31-2009, 08:58 PM
#6
jpod999
Senior Member
Good write up. This will probably help a lot of people in the future.
E30: 1991 318i 4dr
Location: SF bay area
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Posts: 2,282
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01-31-2009, 09:05 PM
#7
justin_l_
DSM BUILDER
I vote sticky....
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Do an M50 swap yourself- http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthr...667#post844667
E30: DSM
Location: Sanford Maine
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,243
01-31-2009, 09:51 PM
#8
e30_from_philly
Contributing Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by justin_l_
I vote sticky....
E30: 1990 2dr alpine 1988
4dr cirrusblau
Location: N.E. Phila
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,404
yep ye[\p
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my e30 trailer build thread http://www.e30tech.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68391
TRAILER PROJECT COMPLETE
GMW next?
12-11-2009, 01:40 AM
#9
asheridan07
Senior Member
E30: 1990 325is
Location: Oklahoma
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 259
Does this swap disengage the horn? I didn't read anything about unplugging the horn from the airbag
wheel and plugging it back up to the M-Tech 1?
Just wondering... thanks
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12-11-2009, 12:21 PM
#10
winfred
Contributing Member
horn works fine with my spacer method
__________________
Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical, liberal minority and rabidly
promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely
possible to pick up a turd by the clean end.
E30: 91 328is m20b28 with a
hair drier and some other
goodies
Location: baton rouge loserana
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,587
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