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BMW E46 Steering Wheel Removal and Installation Guide
TOOLS NEEDED
- Long Thin Flat Head Screwdriver
- Torque Driver Set
- 10mm Nut Driver
- Ratchet Wrench
- 6" Wrench Extension
- 16mm Socket
INSTALLATION
1. First disconnect the battery. The battery is in the trunk on the passenger side under the black cover. Using the 10mm Nut Driver, loosen the nut on the negative and positive terminal (to be safe). Disconnect the cables and move them so they won't come into contact with the battery terminal.
2. Look behind the spokes of the steering wheel. There is an indentation on either side that has a tiny slit in it. This is where you want to insert your flat head screw driver.
Use a small flathead screwdriver to compress the air bag retainer springs. Gently feel around with the tip of the screwdriver until you have contact with the spring. Press in and the spring presses back. The easiest way to find the correct angle to compress spring is with the screwdriver inserted slightly higher than the 3:00 and 9:00 spoke (see the pictures). Please take your time as to not damage the airbag holes. Look at pictures. It is easy to get frustrated during this process. Try to make a good note of the process.
3. Make sure to make contact with spring (press firmly) while pressing in on one side pull on the airbag edges. Repeat again on the other side. Sometimes one side will clamp back down so you will have to switch back and forth.
4. Disconnect the airbag by lifting up on the yellow and green connectors.
5. Inside the wheel, disconnect the 2 wires connected to the clock spring. One has a locking tab that needs to be presse d while taking off the smaller wire needs to be gently pulled out.
6. Use the 16mm ratchet and extension to remove the center bolt. It may be very tight if the wheel has never been taken off before. Help from a friend to hold the wheel firmly while you get leverage to crack the bolt would be advisable (so as to not harm steering column).
7. Take note and be sure to lineup the two marks at the 6:00 position (steering wheel and steering column) when you install the new wheel.
8. Take note of areas where screws are located to take off old trim. Swap over old trim, airbag spring plate and wires to new wheel.
9. Re-connect wires to clock spring and airbag. Take note to make sure wires are connected correctly. Also make sure wires are out of the way of the 2 large springs that clamp onto the airbag. Press airbag back into place.
10. Reconnect your battery.
Note: You can view, download or print the above information via an Adobe PDF File: BMW Steering Wheel Removal PDF
