Replacing Steering Wheel Trim?

[Sterling 4.4]

My dealer used to replace these under the original warranty. Now that I have the extended warranty, they won't replace it and quoted me around $300 if I wanted to pay for it.

Might be worth it if they actually fixed the issue with the pealing trim, but they haven't. Not sure why a poor design hasn't gotten any better. Got to cost less to fix the issue than keep replacing - no?

[Dan Fowler]

Originally Posted by Sterling 4.4

My dealer used to replace these under the original warranty. Now that I have the extended warranty, they won't replace it and quoted me around $300 if I wanted to pay for it.

Might be worth it if they actually fixed the issue with the pealing trim, but they haven't. Not sure why a poor design hasn't gotten any better. Got to cost less to fix the issue than keep replacing - no?

Exactly what I was thinking when I posted earlier. Let me know if you see replacement of different material than original.

[mobilejo]

Simply paint your existing trim with matt or satin plack paint. Prep, primer, paint and you'll be good - did this on my e60 wheel trim which is the same finish, and peels in the same way. It looked much better

[ECS Tuning]

Painting isn't everyone's strong point (or at least I know it's not mine). If you wanted to use your old trim piece for a fun project you could always wrap it in DiNoc Film. We have a very realistic carbon fiber, matte black, and a textured black available here.




ECS Tuning

[PAX5]

OK so I read all of the posts and reviewed the PDF's. but my e70 steering wheel is different ... different in the sense that the two plastic trim pieces at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions are held in with a T20 torx screw, located at the back of the steering wheel.

Are there any other screws holding these pieces in place? Are they located under the airbag? Anyone have pictures/instructions?

Are the plastic switch covers available as standalone pieces, i.e. without the wire assembly?

[philx5]

did u get sorted?
just did mine took 20 mins there are a few fiddly screws
you spend more time trying to disconnect your battery
buried in the booth(trunk)
bought part no. 306778412 from bmw main dealer 49 euro trade
new one wont peel black all the way through
old part was white plastic with black cover looks crap with
peeling really cheap
if you need help let me know

[RickM5X3]

disconnecting the battery and unclipping the airbag from the wiring harness is way overrated. I just left it live and taped it to the side with some good ole blue tape.

Agree that most of the time is spent fiddling around with the torx screws. Some are at seemingly odd angles.

[heuer21]

god that heated steering wheel is hideous.

[MANGO]

Regarding the battery disconnect, I read on the other boards that you can just remove "FUSE #44" which is the airbag fuse in lieu of the cumbersome and time consuming method of disconnecting the battery.

I guess question is, does anyone know where FUSE 44 sits?

MANGO

[deton8]

Originally Posted by MANGO

Regarding the battery disconnect, I read on the other boards that you can just remove "FUSE #44" which is the airbag fuse in lieu of the cumbersome and time consuming method of disconnecting the battery.

I guess question is, does anyone know where FUSE 44 sits?

MANGO

Mango,

My guess... under the front glovebox... (still looking)

The chart in the back of our 2012 X5 50i shows about 5 fuses... 44 IS NOT one of them... Definitely NOT 44.
(Fuse chart: right rear access panel, tucked Rt. side of the FUSE box).

Something like 12, 15, blah, blah, 134... (!! Steering wheel symbol)

40 years of electronics EXPERIENCE** & I'm thinking disconnecting the Negative battery terminal AND-THEN... and only THEN... "momentarily" ground the Positive terminal is the definitive way to go... with exploding AIR-BAGS/anything.

**EXPERIENCE: Only minor explosions... and no serious ones right in my face

I'm just saying.

Anybody have ANY idea what size tool to use on the three HEX-HEAD screws I am looking at on the reverse side of my steering wheel??

Pretty please?