steering wheel trim removal
 

Hi Guys,

I have a steering wheel with the trim as like below that I want to carbon fibre wrap as it is peeling. Do I have to remove the airbag to remove the trim piece or can I undo the screws at the back of the wheel and remove this trim piece?

Looking at tutorials on taking the airbag off...im worried about how the air bag goes back on?

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/Mzg1WDU3OQ...o3+g~~60_1.JPG

Search is your friend

thank you for your helpful post. I did not find any post stating if I wanted to remove this piece I can do it without removing the airbag. Also no post says anything about putting it back on only how to remove.

E53 steering wheel conversion to E46 SMG M3 Paddle shift wheel--Instructions and pics ( 1 2)

On a 2002 the bottom trim can be removed without removing the airbag by just removing the two screws. If you can see the entire trim as pictured, all you have to do is remove the two screws and pull it out. It presses in at the top so you will have to apply some effort. If the indentation at the top of the trim is not visible you will have to remove the airbag. If so, the key is the angle to be able to release the spring retainers that hold it in and you MUST remove the negative battery terminal before releasing the airbag and press it back into place BEFORE you reconnect the terminal. If you have a picture steering wheel with the current trim installed I can tell you for sure what you need to do.

The above thread may be helpful to you.

search m3 steering wheel conversion

i have a 2004 facelift 4.4l. The link you have is a different steering wheel to the one I have.
mine looks like this one

http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/attac...1&d=1283491999

behind the wheel there are 2 left and right facing holes that are bigger than the other scew holes, there is a spring clip holding the airbag, use a screwdriver with a broad head (big torx) press and just gently pull the airbag on that side, then repeat on other side,
make sure u leave ur ignition off or ur airbag light will stay on, undo the 2 harness of the airbag put sumwhere safe
removing the airbag should take u 5 mins, iv done it many times and i can remove the airbag in less than 20 seconds

take a small torx screw driver and start screwing the trim peice off, its kinda tricky and the holes are tight, 5 all together i think

i have read the tutorial on how to take it off...my question is can the trim piece be taken off without removing the airbag, and how do I put the airbag back on? Do I have to press the sping back in while pushing the airbag back on?

u gatta take the bag off cuz u have to remove the trim peice straight off no angling it due to the clips on the backside

and the bag will just push on after no problems, just push it

once u get the bag and trim off u will c how it is designed

i installed a heated wheel and got my trim painted body color

ok thank you,

how does the airbag go back on?

read post #9

ok thanks,

will give this one a go!

Be careful when you remove the airbag. There two connections on the back that you don't want to damage. To release the connectors gently pull up lock in the center and then pull it straight out.

Just wanted to thank you for a very good explanation, another X5 now with a smart looking steering wheel, new cover off e-bay for £30.00.

Just as a further hint, loosen the screws holding the trim in place before removing the air bag, as you need to turn the steering wheel to position the touque screw holes to align with the dashboard to get a normal size touque screw driver in place, for this you will need to unlock the steering, if you turn the key too far the ignition will come on and the air bag light will not go off without a reset by your dealer.

Mike

Torx size is T10 for 04-06 E53.