How to remove steering wheel....help!

[Mendi3]

I just bought a set of polished rings for my gauge cluster. My 1995 318ti does not have tilt wheel. I was ready to take the gauge cluster out but the steering wheel is in the way. I haven't remove a steering wheel with an airbag before. Any tips....on how to remove the steering wheel?

Thanks so much!

[1996 328ti]

You really owe it to yourself to pick up the Bentley Manual for 3 Series 1992-1998.

I have removed the cluster without removing the steering wheel. I place a towel on the steering column to try and prevent scratching. Unlock the steering wheel with the key. As you pull out the cluster you turn the wheel to give yourself more room. It takes patience but I've done it several times.

And you know, the search function works pretty well.

I'm curious to find out how they come out. I'd love to have a set of chrome rings.

[Mendi3]

Originally Posted by Steven Schlossman

You really owe it to yourself to pick up the Bentley Manual for 3 Series 1992-1998.

I have removed the cluster without removing the steering wheel. I place a towel on the steering column to try and prevent scratching. Unlock the steering wheel with the key. As you pull out the cluster you turn the wheel to give yourself more room. It takes patience but I've done it several times.

And you know, the search function works pretty well.

I'm curious to find out how they come out. I'd love to have a set of chrome rings.

Thanks for the tip Steven! I'll give it a try. I'm just afraid to scratch the cluster. Does it matter which way you turn the steering wheel?

[1996 328ti]

Not sure. I turn it to the left. But the best thing is really to remove the steering wheel.

You might also want to replace some bulbs while you are in there. I'd replace the odo bulb and the ones behind the foglight and headlight switches while you have the chance. They blow out pretty regularly.

[Panzer_M]

You need a torx driver #10 IIRC correctly to undo the airbag(I tossed mine and installed a NON SRS BMW wheel)

and then a 16mm Socket to take off the wheel.

then the torx again to undo the two screws holding in the cluster(IIRC) or it might be phillip head screws on the cluster, but I think it is torx.

Then you have the 3 plugs in the back and your gold.

[J!m]

!!! MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY WORK ON AN AIR-BAG !!!

Better yet, don't touch it! Have the dealer do it. If it blows, they get hurt, they replace expensive air-bag...

[ayton]

if you decide to take the SW off disconnect the battery for at least 30 mins. to make sure the system has a chance to fully discharge.

[Mendi3]

Thanks for all your tips. I just finish intalling the rings and the gauge cluster looks awesome. Everything went good, I tool the cluster without removing the steering wheel and it came out fine. I replaced the bulbs as well. Thanks again!

[Panzer_M]

Originally Posted by J!m

!!! MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY WORK ON AN AIR-BAG !!!

Better yet, don't touch it! Have the dealer do it. If it blows, they get hurt, they replace expensive air-bag...

You know i never do this personally

Back in the days of my EK(Honda 6th gen) I had a OEM JDM Momo Civic Type R wheel with SRS, Nice very nice, asked the dealer to install it and they said no....so I learned and did it on my own. bur I didn't hookup the airbag when the wheel went on, my point was why blow a 1k$ steering wheel over a minor bump(my thinking)....so I just drove around with the SRS light...

Later with my E36/5

I took off the 4 spoke wheel for a Mtech 3 spoke w/o SRS..so once again I have to drive with the SRS light glowing(although dimmly as I removed the main bulb)

no point to this I just shared.