"M" series steering wheel removal

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Hi all, my wifes "Ordinary" E36 has an M series steering wheel.  Need to take it off to get the dash out (Bulb replacement).  Is it the same as any other S.wheel - prize out the horn section to reveal the nut?  Any pitfalls or pratfalls you can advise me on - such as prize out the bottom first etc?
I've done this process before, but not on an M series leather wheel.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Old shape! Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 08-January-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 497	Topic: "M" series steering wheel removal Posted: 09-January-2006 at 05:33
	Hi all, my wifes "Ordinary" E36 has an M series steering wheel. Need to take it off to get the dash out (Bulb replacement). Is it the same as any other S.wheel - prize out the horn section to reveal the nut? Any pitfalls or pratfalls you can advise me on - such as prize out the bottom first etc? I've done this process before, but not on an M series leather wheel.
	Paul DH 1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!" 1989 520i (E34) Gone 1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone 1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife) 1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone 1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone

Sponsored Links

Mike Fishwick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 26-October-2002 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 63	Posted: 09-January-2006 at 05:43
	I have just replaced the dreadful M-Tech wheel of my Z3 with a small RAID airbag wheel. Removal is easy enough: Before starting work, engage the steering lock, in order to provide a good reference position for the steering wheel. The original wheel was removed by first disconnecting the battery (make sure the cables cannot touch!) and then removing the lower shroud from the steering column. By this time the specified (post-�93) waiting period of five seconds � for the airbag system to drain itself of electricity � will have expired. Now unplug the orange (airbag) and horn (white) connectors which will be seen beneath the steering column. Using a Torx key, release the air bag by removing the two screws at the back of the steering wheel. The airbag unit can now be drawn out, and the wiring disconnected. This involves one standard push-on connector (brown wire) which is part of the horn circuit, and the yellow airbag connector. This connector is a tight push-in fit, but can easily be levered out with a small screwdriver. Always place the airbag with the �driver�s side� facing upwards, or in an accidental deployment the metal support frame will take to the air! The centre bolt can now be removed (plenty of leverage is required) and the steering wheel slid off its splines. The airbag and horn circuits are carried from the column to the steering wheel by means of a connector unit containing a spiral printed circuit � rather like a watch spring � with four conducting tracks deposited upon it. This is either wound up or expanded, depending on the direction in which the wheel is rotated, and must be set to its mid position when bolted to the steering wheel with the front wheels in the �straight ahead� position. This relationship is normally maintained on removal of the steering wheel by the plastic clip which is released when the centre bolt is removed, locking the connector unit to the wheel. If the connector unit will be removed, its position must be maintained by locking the unit�s rim to its body with tape. That's about it really - if you have the BMW TIS disc on your PC you can see a little more detail, but you can do the job without it.

Old shape! Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 08-January-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 497	Posted: 09-January-2006 at 06:10
	Mike, thanks for that comprehensive answer...but I fear it is not for me :-). My wife's E36 is 1991 and has no Airbag. I am expecting to remove the Horn facia, to reveal the Nut. I am expecting one wire (Horn) to be disconnected once I prize the facia off. I just wondered if the leather wheel had any particular specialities such as prize off from bottom etc. BTW, I would not recommend locking the Steering wheel when doing this, the force required to undo the nut should be compensated by force from your other hand on the wheel. The steering lock could very easily sheer......for example, thieves can snap a steering lock in 2 seconds .
	Paul DH 1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!" 1989 520i (E34) Gone 1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone 1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife) 1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone 1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone

Eamo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 13-May-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 3450	Posted: 09-January-2006 at 08:49
	Paul You dont need to take the steering off to take out the clocks. Just 2 torx screws hold in the clock - undo these and then pull the clock towards you and you will be able to pull the clocks through the gap in the top half of the steering wheel. I've done this before on an e36 m3.

Old shape! Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Really Senior Member I Joined: 08-January-2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 497	Posted: 09-January-2006 at 09:06
	Way to go! Cheers. The Dash panel fits through that gap!??? Sheesh, it certainly didn't on the E34, and that had a much bigger wheel. The dash looks about the same width - I guess the E36 dash is not as deep and thus can twist through it?
	Paul DH 1994 E38 "Proud owner of a "3/4 engined E37.9 that's almost a real car with real paint...WITH 6 WASHER JETS!" 1989 520i (E34) Gone 1988 320i Coupe (E30) Gone 1995 520 Estate (E34) (Wife) 1992 320i SE OBC (E36) (Wife) Gone 1988 320i Saloon (E30) (Wife) Gone

Eamo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 13-May-2003 Location: Ireland Status: Offline Points: 3450	Posted: 09-January-2006 at 09:35
	yes - it will pull through with a small bit of jiggling. I had to do the same on my old e36 m3 to replace a bulb. I contacted the local bm garage and spoke to the head mechanic who I get on well with and he told me what to do.