Wrapping Cracked Trim

[Helihover]

This is what I'm dealing with.

One thread I read said to take two small flathead screw drivers, insert them in the the two slits/cut outs, behind the airbag/horn, to release the holding brackets for the airbag. The other post was on a facelift sport (different wheel) and that one said you could remove all the torx screws from the back. I found two screws at the lower portion, the fork like section, and two cutouts up higher on the back of the wheel. I'm guessing this where I would need a longer torx driver. The person with the facelift sport reported needing a 6"+ torx driver.

[giodog2000]

It's probably 5 screws to remove (T10).

Can this help?
E53 FACELIFT STEERING WHEEL TRIM REPLACEMENT

[admranger]

I wish I was good at this sort of thing. Give me a clutch replacement any day over doing this sort of thing...<sigh>

It looks great and I have nearly the same crack on my wood as shown in the CF trim test piece pic. Would love to have this in my X.

[rolfi]

Originally Posted by Helihover

Ok so I downloaded the PB app. All is done except for the steering which I believe requires different tools than I have. The center was quite challenging to wrap and I made two mistakes, but they are not noticeable. The shifter knob I did twice, but looks perfect!

WOW! That looks awesome! Even better than I imagined it would look! Wow! Just wow!
I'm definately doing this in my car! Getting rid of that matte cheap looking Graphite metallic trim. I just hope it sticks good enough. The wood trim has that gloss clear coat surface, and I imagine the wrap would stick better on that, than the matte surfaces in my car. But I don't know before I've tried. And now I have to, it looks damn awesome!

[tmv]

I have remove the pre-facelift sport steering wheel so many times now. Here's what I do:
1. Disconnect the battery (before working/disconnecting an airbag)
2. Flat head screwdriver insert into the slot in the back of the steering wheel. You are using it to push back the spring that clip the airbag in place. You have to feel around with the screwdriver. Push the spring and pull the airbag at the same time. TIP: the screwdriver should be at 8 o'clock position when coming from the right, and at 4 o'clock position when coming from the left.
3. After you can free the airbag, un-clip and remove it.
4. Remove the steering wheel bolt.
5. Wiggle and pull out the steering wheel

GL.

[giodog2000]

Originally Posted by admranger

I wish I was good at this sort of thing. Give me a clutch replacement any day over doing this sort of thing...<sigh>

It looks great and I have nearly the same crack on my wood as shown in the CF trim test piece pic. Would love to have this in my X.

You should go ahead and try it. The first piece is tricky but you get the hang of things in only a few min. Go for it!

[Clockwork]

Helihover, your black trim looks great with the beige interior. I kinda wish I did mine in black now instead of brushed alum casue the black cf really hides any cracks that the brushed alum easily shows... but I DO love how the brushed alum trim matches the door handles and puller part of the armrest.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by giodog2000

You should go ahead and try it. The first piece is tricky but you get the hang of things in only a few min. Go for it!

Heh. You're more enthusiastic than my wife. I showed her your wrap job and she was very impressed. Then she said "I hope you can find someone in town to do that for you. You suck at the detail type things." Working on year 29 of marriage, so I'm guessing she probably knows my limitations.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by rolfi

WOW! That looks awesome! Even better than I imagined it would look! Wow! Just wow!
I'm definately doing this in my car! Getting rid of that matte cheap looking Graphite metallic trim. I just hope it sticks good enough. The wood trim has that gloss clear coat surface, and I imagine the wrap would stick better on that, than the matte surfaces in my car. But I don't know before I've tried. And now I have to, it looks damn awesome!

Your matte finish should provide better adhesion than the gloss. Either way, the key to good adhesion is a very clean surface.

[giodog2000]

Originally Posted by admranger

Heh. You're more enthusiastic than my wife. I showed her your wrap job and she was very impressed. Then she said "I hope you can find someone in town to do that for you. You suck at the detail type things." Working on year 29 of marriage, so I'm guessing she probably knows my limitations.

With your color combo (imola / black), it would look great.