Removing Air Bag Equiped Steering Wheel 1991 318is

Bob's Project · 05-31-2006, 03:37 PM

I am in need of getting into the instrument cluster to remove the the service indicator board (or battery) and lights for the tach and temp guage. The speedo is also intermittent.

Anyhow I cannot find any instruction on removing the stearing wheel of an airbag equiped car.

Can anyone point me too a thread or descibe how to do this?

Thanks in advance.

Bob

Yurick · 06-02-2006, 02:55 PM

Bob,
Do you have a Bentley manual? This would be a good source of info.

crashthecar · 06-04-2006, 02:42 AM

Consider getting someone else to do it, they rearly ever go off but it happens and it only takes a spark of static electricity to get it moving. If you must do it yourself then this would be the safest way!

Disconnect the battery turn the headlights on and go inside and make a coffee. This will discharge the Air Bag module so you have less chance of setting the bloody thing off (I really hate airbags)

Come back out and get to work. Turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the left or right and feel for a hole in the rear of the wheel about 1/4 - 3/8 of an inch in diameter. Using a Torx bit unscrew the screw in the bottom of this hole. turn the wheel back the other way and do the same on the other side.
I'm not sure what size the Torx bit is, the screws are TIGHT so use the right size bit, make sure it is seated in the screw properly and take your time.
Recenter the steering wheel and pull the airbag gently out of the wheel towards you. there will be one or two wiring connectors coming out of the wheel into the rear of the air bag. Disconnect these two plugs and put the airbag in the boot sitting so the BMW logo is facing upwards.
That way if it goes off the bag just inflates, if you have it face down the whole assembly will be launched skyward if it goes off by accident.

Now with the airbag out, ensure the wheel is stright and mark the wheel to the steering column to aid in lining it up when you refit it.
Undo the steering wheel bolt, get someone to help by holding the wheel while you undo the bolt. don't let the steering lock in the ignition take the weight of you undoing the bolt you can damage it.

Leave the bolt in about four full turns. grab the wheel at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock and work it from side to side while gently pulling it towards yourself. If it doesn't come off then grab it at 12 and 6 and try pulling it from top to bottom. Repeat this till the wheel pops forward. Remove the bolt and pull the wheel off.

You leave the bolt in 4 turns so when your pulling on it it won't let go suddenly and you smack yourself in the face with it... It happens.

crashthecar · 06-04-2006, 02:45 AM

Oh, can you post a pic of the batteries in the back of your 1991 cluster? I've heard they are not AA batteries and I need to replace a set on a 91 in a couple of weeks, i'd like to know what i'm in for!
Thank's for any info Bob,
Luke.

Bob's Project · 06-04-2006, 09:30 AM

Thanks for the info Luke. I was however able to get the cluster out without having to remove the steering wheel a day before your post.

You are right about the batteries. They were a lithium ion set (2).
They were about an inch long and 5/8" in diameter. I know that isn't enough go buy them know but perhaps your could source some similar ones so you can race out and buy them ones the board is out.

Regards,

Bob

crashthecar · 06-06-2006, 01:15 PM

Bob,
Thanks for the info! The batteries are first on my hit list this weekend.