air bag contact ring removal

[richtell]

I have a 99 M3 convertible, 103K miles. My airbag light is on reading fault code 2.
I'm stuck at the Torx- 25 screws at the back of the driver side airbag. I can't get them to budge, am afraid I'll ruin the screw. They are right hand thread, correct?
Is there a certain way to loosen them?

[bazar01]

Make sure the battery negative is disconnected at least for 30 minutes before you take out the airbag.

The right tool would be a Torx driver on a socket and ratchet handle for leverage. If you only have a torx screw driver, use a channel lock pliers to grip the handle for additional leverage. It should come off. They are tight.

[Manolito]

They are right-handed thread.

When you pull off the steering wheel there are a couple of tips to remember:

1) There are two ring bushings in the assembly. They are slightly different but can be assembled wrong. Pay attention to which one goes where, and which way they face.

2) Take this opportunity to put a little grease on the bearing beneath the steering wheel to keep it quiet.

3) I don't recall whether you need to remove the spring clip from the steering shaft for this job. I doubt it, but if you do, when re-installing the spring clip on the steering column shaft, a 3/4" dia plastic PVC pipe cut to the proper length (about 2" as I recall) is the perfect tool to press that spring clip into place. Just put the spring clip over the shaft, slide the piece of PVC pipe onto the shaft above it, and put on the steering wheel nut and crank it down to pull up on the shaft while pushing down on the spring clip with the PVC pipe. Works like a charm.

[richtell]

Thanks for the advice. Even my vastly more experienced mechanic neighbors are stuck on these screws. Unless I can come up with a better method I'm afraid I will strip them and make a mess for the shop mechanic I end up bringing the car to