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BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > F30 DIYs and Coding Discussions > How to remove air bag unit/steering wheel?
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      12-07-2012, 02:49 AM   #1
friederbluemle
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Question How to remove air bag unit/steering wheel?

Is there anyone who could please explain how to remove the air bar unit from a F30 steering wheel?
There is an excellent video on YouTube showing exactly that:



It literally takes him 10 seconds to do it and now I feel kinda stupid after spending an hour in my car. For the life of me I can't get hold of these metal U-shaped clamps that attach the air bag unit to the counterpart hooks inside of the steering wheel. From the video it looks like you have to bend these U-clamps slightly inward to detach them, however I inserted a screwdriver in the small slit and really tried everything without success. Can anyone here advise what do to, for example exactly how deep to insert the screwdriver before pushing left/right, what angle, etc?

Thanks!

Last edited by friederbluemle; 12-07-2012 at 03:17 AM.
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      12-09-2012, 11:38 PM   #2
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I would go with stack.....they look alot better and more oem.....IND sells a plug and play stack kit with the gauge pod!
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      12-28-2012, 04:56 PM   #3
MacRed335i
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Quote:
Originally Posted by friederbluemle View Post
Is there anyone who could please explain how to remove the air bar unit from a F30 steering wheel?
There is an excellent video on YouTube showing exactly that:



It literally takes him 10 seconds to do it and now I feel kinda stupid after spending an hour in my car. For the life of me I can't get hold of these metal U-shaped clamps that attach the air bag unit to the counterpart hooks inside of the steering wheel. From the video it looks like you have to bend these U-clamps slightly inward to detach them, however I inserted a screwdriver in the small slit and really tried everything without success. Can anyone here advise what do to, for example exactly how deep to insert the screwdriver before pushing left/right, what angle, etc?

Thanks!
Did you ever get the airbag off? I'm going to swap out my wheel and I know these can be a pain the ass sometimes to get off.

Looking for some feedback before hacking up my wheel.
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      12-28-2012, 09:35 PM   #4
friederbluemle
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MacRed335i View Post
Did you ever get the airbag off? I'm going to swap out my wheel and I know these can be a pain the ass sometimes to get off.

Looking for some feedback before hacking up my wheel.
No sorry I didn't get it off yet. I tried again a few more times but gave up eventually. Please let me know if you have more luck.
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      12-29-2012, 12:00 AM   #5
bbj
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is this what you are looking for?

http://www.bimmian.com/elements/page.../STW/STW30.pdf
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      12-29-2012, 01:47 AM   #6
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Another video

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      12-30-2012, 07:52 AM   #7
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Quote:
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That is perfect! Thank you......

Airbag came right off....no damage. Whew.....
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      12-31-2012, 12:04 AM   #8
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That is perfect! Thank you......

Airbag came right off....no damage. Whew.....
Does ur car have paddle shifts? Was it much more complicated than no paddles?
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      01-06-2013, 12:04 AM   #9
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Quote:
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Does ur car have paddle shifts? Was it much more complicated than no paddles?
yes on the paddles, but it doesn't make a difference... You have to be very careful with the 4 spring loaded clips on the airbag that activate the horn. If you don't pull it straight out from the wheel you can easily break one of the clips and you're buying a brand new airbag.. Don't tilt the airbag. Pull a little from the top and then the bottom.

You will hear and feel the spring clips going back and forth as you pry against them. Do the right side first...

Unlike the E9X Sport wheel airbag you have to give it a good tug to get it off. It's doesn't just pop off.

That's what was messing me up... I'm thinking release the 2 clips and it pops off. NOPE... You have to feel the clip release and carefully pull it off.
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      04-06-2013, 06:10 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MacRed335i View Post
Unlike the E9X Sport wheel airbag you have to give it a good tug to get it off. It's doesn't just pop off.

That's what was messing me up... I'm thinking release the 2 clips and it pops off. NOPE... You have to feel the clip release and carefully pull it off.
+1 on this. There is some rubbery material around the aribag that makes it hard to pull out. Much harder that when I did this on my E46.

Thanks for this thread and the video links, very helpful.
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