Steering wheel removal...Need HELP!!

djcontra · 07-08-2003, 01:04 AM

So I attempted to swap the steering wheel from my other E36 into my new one (since the old one is MUCH nicer and 3-spoke), but I ran into one snag. On my newer E36, with the 4 spoke steering wheel, I can't figure out how to unhook the airbag wire from the wheel itself! I got it unhooked from the airbag, but it's attached to the main shaft AND weaved through the wheel itself! Does anyone know how I can remove this without cutting the wire itself?? I sat there for 30mins and couldn't figure it out. What am I missing here?

Here's a pic of the steering wheel I'm having trouble removing in case you can help if you've done it before...

oh btw....am I the only one who absolutely HATES removing the cover from that style of steering wheel? I had to use a dental mirror just to see what size torx bit to use! what a pain in the ass!

bmwm5lover · 07-08-2003, 01:27 AM

Dental Mirror??? HAHAHHAHA I can just picture that LOL

djcontra · 07-08-2003, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bmwm5lover
Dental Mirror??? HAHAHHAHA I can just picture that LOL

It sucked man!
I had to hold the flashlight in my mouth (like I was giving it a bj), dental mirror in one hand, torx wrench in the other, while leaning forward to see what I was doing. Then ever so slowly undo 2 bolts on the cover.
It almost made me blow up on it all

///MsAniTy · 07-08-2003, 02:21 AM

make sure u unhook the battery foru might need to see a dentist or possibly go to the hospital

djcontra · 07-08-2003, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///MsAniTy
make sure u unhook the battery foru might need to see a dentist or possibly go to the hospital

don't worry, I did that. I don't want my SRS light to be triggered.
I let the car sit for 1 hour with the battery disconnected beforehand.

Anyone know how to remove this steering wheel though??

KIRASIR · 07-08-2003, 12:25 PM

I am really not sure where you are having a problem since it's such a simple operation.

1) Undo the 2 bolts
2) Disconnect the airbag(orange connector) and the ground connector

3) Undo the main nut
4) Disconnect airbag connector from the slip ring.

5) That's it

SL

Quote:

Originally posted by djcontra
So I attempted to swap the steering wheel from my other E36 into my new one (since the old one is MUCH nicer and 3-spoke), but I ran into one snag. On my newer E36, with the 4 spoke steering wheel, I can't figure out how to unhook the airbag wire from the wheel itself! I got it unhooked from the airbag, but it's attached to the main shaft AND weaved through the wheel itself! Does anyone know how I can remove this without cutting the wire itself?? I sat there for 30mins and couldn't figure it out. What am I missing here?

Here's a pic of the steering wheel I'm having trouble removing in case you can help if you've done it before...

oh btw....am I the only one who absolutely HATES removing the cover from that style of steering wheel? I had to use a dental mirror just to see what size torx bit to use! what a pain in the ass!

djcontra · 07-08-2003, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KIRASIR

4) Disconnect airbag connector from the slip ring.

SL

I think this is the step I got stuck at. Can you explain a little further how I do this?
Also in your last picture, you show the orange connector poking out the back of the wheel, and in the pic before it, it's in front. How did you do this?

KIRASIR · 07-08-2003, 02:09 PM

It's two different connectors:

Airbag->front orange connector->slip ring->rear orange connector->vehicle harness.

Just pull the front connector from the airbag, undo the nut, take the steering wheel off, disconnect the rear connector from the harness on the steering column. Do the opposite to put the other wheel on.

That's it.

SL

Quote:

Originally posted by djcontra
I think this is the step I got stuck at. Can you explain a little further how I do this?
Also in your last picture, you show the orange connector poking out the back of the wheel, and in the pic before it, it's in front. How did you do this?

djcontra · 07-08-2003, 02:35 PM

OMG. I can't believe that's all it was! I'll look again tonight for that second connector. I feel silly now...

Quote:

Originally posted by KIRASIR
It's two different connectors:

Airbag->front orange connector->slip ring->rear orange connector->vehicle harness.

Just pull the front connector from the airbag, undo the nut, take the steering wheel off, disconnect the rear connector from the harness on the steering column. Do the opposite to put the other wheel on.

That's it.

SL

Soldo · 07-08-2003, 02:44 PM

Did you get it!?!
Also what 3 spoke wheel you got, has the airbag still right?!
I hope it does cause with the power your runing it'd be a good thing to have!!
Are you gonna sell the M wheel?!
If so how much?!

djcontra · 07-08-2003, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLDOMATIC 325i
Did you get it!?!
Also what 3 spoke wheel you got, has the airbag still right?!
I hope it does cause with the power your runing it'd be a good thing to have!!
Are you gonna sell the M wheel?!
If so how much?!

I won't know until tonight if I get it swapped out or not. The 3-spoke steering wheel is from my automatic e36, and it has an airbag. I dont think I'd feel comfortable using a steering wheel without an airbag, especially the way I drive because you never know.
I wont be selling the 4spoke one though, as I'm just swapping between cars.

Soldo · 07-08-2003, 02:51 PM

i seem does the 3 spoke one have thos nice thumb gribs at 10 and 2 o'clock on the wheel like the M one does?!
Got any pics of it, cause i dunno what the 3spoke wheels looked like before 96!

KIRASIR · 07-08-2003, 03:13 PM

I just sold the wheel in the picture for 350CAD two weeks ago. It was for sale on Max a while back.

SL

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLDOMATIC 325i
Did you get it!?!
Also what 3 spoke wheel you got, has the airbag still right?!
I hope it does cause with the power your runing it'd be a good thing to have!!
Are you gonna sell the M wheel?!
If so how much?!

djcontra · 07-08-2003, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLDOMATIC 325i
i seem does the 3 spoke one have thos nice thumb gribs at 10 and 2 o'clock on the wheel like the M one does?!
Got any pics of it, cause i dunno what the 3spoke wheels looked like before 96!

I'll have to take a picture. I just scoured ebay and google's image search and I can't find even 1 e36 with the same steering wheel as I have. I guess it's unique

djcontra · 07-09-2003, 12:21 AM

Here's a picture of the new wheel installed.
I'm going to have to do some rewiring for the airbag sensors though since this wheel has a COMPLETELY different wiring system than any other wheel I've seen in the E36.

Anyone seen this type of steering wheel before?

P.S. my car feels and drives sooooooo much better now that I got rid of that crap 4 spoke wheel.